Pre 1910?

[Jconway]

so I bought this canoe from a gentleman at a garage sale. He said it was 1950s. He was trying to get around to restoring it. After doing a little more research I’ve learned that this could be pre 1910. The serial number is 5727. Just wanted to confirm the make and model and learn some history about this old girl. I’d also love to get into restoring her properly. She is 15 or 16 feet long. I do have the seats and thwart. He just had them detached from the canoe. Thanks you
-Justin

 

[Michael Grace]

I've seen those decks before but cannot place them just now. Doesn't look like a canoe from any of the major northeastern US makers. Certainly doesn't look like an Old Town (if OT, that serial number would make it very early). I think it's much more recent, like 1930s to 1950s or later. Some of the unusual features: decks, planking showing between ribs and outwales, un-tapered unawales, very plain seat frames, keel screws at every rib. This collection of features doesn't fit with Old Town, Carleton, Kennebec, Morris, the usual Charles River-area builders, etc. This has an upper midwest feel to me, or maybe Canadian.

 

[Jconway]

I’m in northern Michigan so the Canadian or upper Midwest would make sense. Any Canadian makers you recommend I research?

 

[MGC]

Canadian canoes will sometimes reveal their origin with Robertson screws. Most US builders use slotted screws (except Penn Yan who used Frearson). Those decks with that little extra flare are interesting. Not one of the typical builders.......
What is the keel shaped like?

 

[Jconway]

This is how I found her outside. She is obviously inside now. But this is what I have for keel pictures at the moment.

 

[pklonowski]

Alex Comb, who lives north of Duluth, visits these forums at times; he might have an idea or two.

 

[Dave Osborn]

I don’t recognize it as a Minnesota/Wisconsin built canoe. Has there been work done on it in the past? New decks possibly?

 

[Jconway]

I’m not sure of any previous work done.

 

[Murat V]

Could you share your research that put this at pre-1910?

Posting more accurate info about length, width, depth would help. Also just one thwart? Posting a pic of that might help. If the bow deck has a faint evidence of decal outline that might help narrow down the maker as well.

 

[Benson Gray]

I don't believe that this canoe is an Old Town. Their canoe with serial number 5727 has closed double mahogany gunwales as shown below and this canoe has open gunwales.

Benson

 

[Jconway]

This is starting to get interesting. I greatly appreciate all of your guys time. I will be home shortly and update you with accurate measurements and more pictures

 

[Dave Osborn]

Thoughts….
Keel pretty short looking. Never seen one like that. How about better photos of the seats, ribs. Length, width, depth.
Stem profile. Better photos of decks. No thwarts? Screw type?

 

[JClearwater]

The keel looks to have been replaced or at least shortened. Originally it should have extended under the stem band a ways. But I have been wrong before.....