Rushton Serial #769

[Michael Leone]

After cleaning the grime off the stems I just found the serial number that I was unable to see before.
It's marked 769 on both stems.

 

[Benson Gray]

Your previous thread at the link below may help. Dan Miller said there that "I would date your canoe to circa 1902-1903." He is teaching a class this week so may not respond quickly. Nice canoe,

Benson

Thread 'Rushton American Beauty?'

Apr 25, 2023

Hi All, and Dan Miller, I would like to learn a little more about this Rushton I picked up before I start a restoration.
From what I have read so far I think it's an American Beauty with serial #769, 16' long. trimed in Mahogany with a floor board.
Most of the boat looks correct, Hardware, seat frame shape, thwart shape, 6" wide sheer plank.
Except, the bow seat is mounted to the underside of the inwale with no evidence that it was ever mounted to a cleat lower down as I understand is typical.
Is there any way to estimate a production year based on these characteristics and or the serial #...

• Michael Leone
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Research and History

• 
• 

 

[MGC]

I believe that I do have some pictures of the coamings from other single piece decked North Country canoes that should help you to fabricate these. My Brown and SLBC also feature single piece long decks. The coamings from the Brown were in rough shape so I made new ones, but I had the originals as patterns. I have not worked on the SLBC yet, but the coamings on those decks are also original and appear to be decent.
I mention those canoes even though they are not Rushton's because they share identical features and are likely to have been built by the same folks if not trained by the same folks.
What I learned from these canoes is that the decks, even though they may look identical, are each unique. The exact radius of the openings and other dimensions are not the same. It is my impression that these decks were built to fit. It would be interesting to find out if you draw the same conclusion.
I have a couple very crude forms I made to bend coamings. I do not plan to use these again. If you want them, I can send them along. But, as noted, they are not identical. It is also pretty simple to make these up...

 

[Michael Leone]

thank you! That is very helpful.

Mike

 

[MGC]

thank you! That is very helpful.

Mike

If that does the trick for you, you are welcome. I have images from other canoes on other computers. One of my planned projects for the last several winters has been to consolidate all of my files, but....here I am, images scattered everywhere.
The red decked canoe was supposedly a Whistlewing, but I believe that it was not correctly ID'd. I think it is an Inc. Rushton. The deck hardware that was present was Rushton hardware.