Old Town Canoe Fifty Pound Model from 1914

[Benson Gray]

Old Town Canoe Company, 15' long Fifty Pound Model from 1914

This is an example of an fifteen foot long Fifty Pound Model in GS grade from the Old Town Canoe Company that was built in 1914 with closed gunwales.

 

[Benson Gray]

Additional photographs

This is an example of an fifteen foot long Fifty Pound Model in GS grade from the Old Town Canoe Company that was built in 1914 with closed gunwales.

 

[chris pearson]

Benson, what a nice example of an early OT. Is it yours? Very cool.

 

[Benson Gray]

Is it yours?

Yes, at the moment but if someone wants a canoe like this then they should look in the WCHA classifieds.

Benson

 

[ppride]

Hi Benson,

I recently purchased a 1914 18' IF Old Town. It is missing the outwales and cap on the gunwales. Can you tell me the dimensions of these on your canoe so I can duplicate these on mine. Thanks, Pete

 

[crosscuts]

18' Ot If

I have some information but will move my answer to the Wood/Canvas Fiberglass file.

R.C.

 

[workingbadger]

Benson,

Do you still have this? I have a 1916/1918 50#er. What are the dimensions of the outer gunwales and the cap? Mine has some thin oak ones, which I believe are replacements. I see yours has thin one also, are they original?

 

[Benson Gray]

What are the dimensions of the outer gunwales and the cap?

Yes, I still have this one. The information at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?3815-Old-Town-Circa-1940&p=19434#post19434 shows and describes the dimensions on this canoe and another one from 1919. I believe that they are both original. (The one from 1919 may even still have original canvas.) The outwale and rail caps are quite thin. This is probably another reason why they were priced less than an open gunwale which has a much bigger outside gunwale that requires more wood. These thin pieces often break when being removed for recanvassing or other repairs so it is unusual to find complete originals on an old canoe.

Replacement rail caps are also frequently rounded along the entire top inside edge including the section along the decks. Original rail caps are usually more square on the section over the deck than on the part that adjoins the open part of the canoe. This is difficult to see, photograph, or describe in words but you can easily feel the change if you run your hand along the inside of the rail cap near the deck. Both the 1914 and 1919 have this characteristic. Let me know if this doesn't answer your question or if you want more details. Thanks,

Benson