Just getting ability to access a canoe our family has had since the early 1960's. There are only 4 digits (2266) plus the length (16) I can find on the stems. (See attached pic.)
It had been recanvassed and had the inside revarnished but never needed officially 'restored' prior to my Dad buying it. Because it was in such good condition and so very old even back then we were rarely allowed to use it because my Dad was afraid we might damage it. I distinctly remember my Dad always called it "The Old Town" and also remember that's what the man we bought it from in St Louis told us it was when we picked it up. Hopefully the attached pics will help to confirm that it's really an Old Town.
End of happy part of story. Unfortunately the old log cabin it was stored in for the past 54 years has been severely neglected over the past 15-16 years and I was denied access to try to protect it. Thankfully that has now been resolved but a canoe that was museum quality 15 years ago is now severely damaged (although I believe it can - and will if at all possible - be rebuilt to it's prior high standard). The cabin has partially caved in on it now and the bow has been exposed to weather for probably the last 6-7 years. There is significant damage to one side just behind the front seat and although the stem and front deck appears to be fairly well preserved I'm sure the bow will have rot and mold issues and that there will be miscellaneous rib fractures and planking issues in areas besides the area that was crushed. Fortunately, most of the rest of vessel appears to be preserved due to support of the roof of the cabin by other things keeping weight off the canoe except at the one crushed area. Thankfully the roof over everything but the bow has somehow miraculously remained waterproof despite caving in. The pics will tell the horrible story of what happened to this beautiful canoe. Sorry they're not a little better but it was sorta scary climbing in there and under it even only as far as I did! Sure wish I would have been allowed to get it out of there 10 years ago. I just don't understand how anyone could have allowed this to happen - never will I guess.
Doesn't matter anyway, the important thing is that it's going to be loved and safeguarded from now on!
I know (sadly) it's last 50+ year history, but if the factory build sheet might be available it would be wonderful to find out for sure when, how and where it started life.
Thank you all so much for the help, I'm sure I'll be asking for more as I progress.
Hope the pics are OK.
Pic 1: Inside bow showing damp along stem/fractured rib(s)
Pic 2: Front seat and bit of hull toward center of canoe
Pic 3: Front stem serial number & length designation
Pic 4: Bow sticking out from under cabin remains
Pic 5: General situation
Pic 6: Rear 2/3 of canoe
It had been recanvassed and had the inside revarnished but never needed officially 'restored' prior to my Dad buying it. Because it was in such good condition and so very old even back then we were rarely allowed to use it because my Dad was afraid we might damage it. I distinctly remember my Dad always called it "The Old Town" and also remember that's what the man we bought it from in St Louis told us it was when we picked it up. Hopefully the attached pics will help to confirm that it's really an Old Town.
End of happy part of story. Unfortunately the old log cabin it was stored in for the past 54 years has been severely neglected over the past 15-16 years and I was denied access to try to protect it. Thankfully that has now been resolved but a canoe that was museum quality 15 years ago is now severely damaged (although I believe it can - and will if at all possible - be rebuilt to it's prior high standard). The cabin has partially caved in on it now and the bow has been exposed to weather for probably the last 6-7 years. There is significant damage to one side just behind the front seat and although the stem and front deck appears to be fairly well preserved I'm sure the bow will have rot and mold issues and that there will be miscellaneous rib fractures and planking issues in areas besides the area that was crushed. Fortunately, most of the rest of vessel appears to be preserved due to support of the roof of the cabin by other things keeping weight off the canoe except at the one crushed area. Thankfully the roof over everything but the bow has somehow miraculously remained waterproof despite caving in. The pics will tell the horrible story of what happened to this beautiful canoe. Sorry they're not a little better but it was sorta scary climbing in there and under it even only as far as I did! Sure wish I would have been allowed to get it out of there 10 years ago. I just don't understand how anyone could have allowed this to happen - never will I guess.
Doesn't matter anyway, the important thing is that it's going to be loved and safeguarded from now on!
I know (sadly) it's last 50+ year history, but if the factory build sheet might be available it would be wonderful to find out for sure when, how and where it started life.
Thank you all so much for the help, I'm sure I'll be asking for more as I progress.
Hope the pics are OK.
Pic 1: Inside bow showing damp along stem/fractured rib(s)
Pic 2: Front seat and bit of hull toward center of canoe
Pic 3: Front stem serial number & length designation
Pic 4: Bow sticking out from under cabin remains
Pic 5: General situation
Pic 6: Rear 2/3 of canoe