New to Form and looking for some insight into the make and model.

[Adirondackbob]

Hello All,
Looking for some input, yesterday I purchased what I think is an OT other than that I do not know much.
Please share your thoughts on the year,make,model and current condition, I am planning on some restoration.
I thank you for your time.

 

[Mark Adams]

Could you please post a pic of the stem?

 

[Dave Osborn]

Looks kinda "Morrisish"...

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Yes, it's definitely not Old Town but is suspiciously Morris. As Mark says, a picture of the stem can be definitive. Here is a Wikipedia article with some Morris info so you'll know what to look for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.N._Morris_Canoe_Company

Welcome to the forums!
Kathy

 

[Adirondackbob]

Thank you , here are a few more pics as requested. I already know much more than I did an hour ago.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Definitely a BN Morris.....
There may be a metal tag on the inwale or on the stem that has a number that can be used to determine the approximate year it was built.

 

[Kathryn Klos]

You have a B.N. Morris. If you can find a serial number, you can get an approximate "birthdate." There are YouTube videos that should provide more information (if you haven't found them already!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAz-rspieqE&t=7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN462MWTABc&t=17s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlKzvDstSnQ&t=17s

WCHA Assembly 2015 featured the Morris, and this video shows a few... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8yCAwQ06xw

Also a book: http://store.wcha.org/The-Morris-Canoe-Legacy-of-an-American-Family.html

I'll add your canoe to the Morris Database, and any additional information would be great. Also, watch for Morris updates in the journal Wooden Canoe.

Kathy

 

[Adirondackbob]

Thank you for all of the information, Kathryn my wife and I have watched your videos they are a very good tool.
I have looked at both locations and there are no tags that would have a serial number. I do not see any tack holes where a tag would have been.
I did see in a picture online a Morris with diamond shaped flag socket, mine has round. Is this an indication of a certain time period ?
Also as can be seen in the picture there is a ring above the flag socket. Is this what is referred to as "painters ring" ?
If so what was its purpose and does it help with a time period ?
I will shortly post a couple pictures of the condition of the canvas and paint. And would love your thoughts on condition and best course of action to restore finish.
Robert

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Hi Bob-- Morris flag holders are diamond shaped, so yours would be aftermarket by another company. Yes, that's a painter ring on your deck-- also aftermarket. Original Morris painter rings are found on the stem-- I'll find a picture to attach. The painter ring was a place to tie a "painter" or rope. Those details don't help date a Morris canoe as they were offered in all the 20th century Morris catalogs. Your Morris appears to have three pairs of cant ribs. It seems the third pair of cant ribs was added in about 1905, so your canoe would be "newer" than 1905. Your canoe has the heart-shaped deck, which was phased out by about 1917. This gives you a date-range of 1905-1917. I don't see any tell-tale tack holes in the stems in your pictures, so would carefully check the left inwale. Maybe something will show up during restoration. Is this a 16 footer?

Kathy