Old town serial number help

[Ajreuss]

We have an old town that was cut in half to be used as a book case. We have both halves. Serial number shows 0356 a large space and the 16. I believe I am seeing that correctly. We would love to know more about this boat. Thank you in advance!

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome, the serial numbers in Old Town canoes and other builders typically didn't start with a leading zero so I suspect that there is at least one missing digit. The suggestions at the link below may help you find it. Please post some pictures of both ends and the serial numbers with the surrounding areas from each end. Thanks,

Benson

Thread 'How do I find a serial number on an old wooden canoe or boat?'

Oct 2, 2005

Many old wooden canoes and boats have a serial number on both inside stems and a decal or tag with the manufacturer's logo on the bow deck. The number is usually stamped on the top of the lower part of the stems. The inside stems are the long curved pieces of wood that form the ends of the canoe. You want to look on the part that extends out from under the decks on the bottom of the floor inside the hull. The serial numbers are stamped in each end of the canoe so check both if a single digit is not clear. These numbers in the stern of boats are occasionally on the edge of the center...

• Benson Gray
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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[Ajreuss]

 

[Ajreuss]

Benson, looking closer, I see possibly an F30356

 

[Benson Gray]

Old Town canoes didn't have letters in their serial numbers. My guess is that you may have the Old Town canoe with serial number 130356. This is a 16 foot long, AA (or top) grade, Yankee model with open mahogany gunwales, mahogany decks, mahogany thwarts, mahogany seats, half ribs, a keel, and outside stems. It was built between June, 1940 and April, 1941. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on July 12th, 1941 to Bolton Landing, New York. A scan of this build record can be found below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Thanks,

Benson

 

[Ajreuss]

That matches the exact description. What an amazing piece of history. Thank you so much for your help!

AJ