Old Town SN 4376

[MGC]

Hi..
Please confirm the build and ship dates for the noted closed rail Old Town.
I'm guessing that it was originally shipped somewhere in Northern Vermont.

The canoe is a 16 footer...mahogany decks, thwarts, seat frames. Spruce rails and caps...
For her age, she's pretty fair...

Andre..is this one calling for you?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Benson Gray]

The Old Town canoe with serial number 4376 is a 16 foot long, AA (or top) grade, HW (Heavy Water) model with a keel, closed mahogany gunwales, mahogany decks, mahogany thwarts, mahogany seats, and spruce gunwales. It was built between February and June, 1906. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on June 21st, 1906 to Paul Smith Station, New York. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.



This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others as you probably know well. 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 join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to renew.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match the canoe. Does it look similar to the other one at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/12416/ in AA grade from 1906? Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[MGC]

Thank you Benson..that's her..
The canoe made it's way to the Burlington Lake Champlain area where it's owner acquired it in the 1980's. That's not too far from PSmith's..

These old hulls really hold their shape well. I'm always amazed at how nice the lines are on them...a bit tender to the tastes of the typical modern paddler.
Order number 517...very cool.........

I've not dealt with such an old closed rail OT...are brads used to hold the rail caps in place (like my Morris?). This boat has the rail caps secured with copper headed nails, a presumable later repair?
Mike

 

[Benson Gray]

are brads used to hold the rail caps in place (like my Morris?). This boat has the rail caps secured with copper headed nails, a presumable later repair?

Copper headed nails are used to hold the rail caps on the canoes shown at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/2780/ and at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/12416/ so those were probably the standard at that time. Others with experience on similar canoes may be able to offer more details.

Benson

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Mike, dont waste a minute on those rail caps, i'll work those out. No doubt you're thinking thats a kool sister boat to my 06/07 Chestnut ....