Thompson Brothers Canoe?

[Matt Smith]

I acquired this canoe roughly 15 years ago in NJ, Dragged it down to FL to "someday restore it" now I am need of the space and it has to go.

Before I advertise it on the classifieds or eBay, I would like to confirm it is a Thompson Brothers Wood Canoe and possibly know what model it is.

Measures 17' and has a 34" centerline.

Thank you to Daniel Miller for your dragonfly identification page that brought me a lot closer to this ID.

 

[Benson Gray]

That canoe looks more like an Old Town than a Thompson to me. Is there a serial number on the inside stems? The information at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/791/ may help if you aren't sure where to look. The comments at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/57/ may help you value it. Good luck,

Benson

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Yup, assuming the S/N on the stem, a OT, not Thompson.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Here is a typical Thompson deck. The diamond head bolts say that yours is an Old Town built after 1920.

 

[Gil Cramer]

Pressed cane seats and flat iron stem band indicate the build date of 1942-1946; most probably 1943.

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Dave,
where / when did you get that new name plate?

 

[Matt Smith]

I have finally had a day to remove the tarp from it and yes there is a serial number from what I can tell it is 129175 17.
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I will research the serial number and try to get a better idea of value.

 

[Benson Gray]

Congratulations, the Old Town with serial number 129175 is a 17 foot long, CS (common sense or middle) grade, HW (heavy water) model with open spruce gunwales, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, and a keel. It was built between February, 1940 and January, 1941. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on August 24th, 1942 to Netcong, New Jersey. 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. 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 join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. The information at http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/57/ may help you value it as I mentioned before. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[Matt Smith]

Ummm...WOW!
Thank you Benson. That is incredible. I am really undecided on the fate of this canoe. I know how beautiful it would look restored and I know I do not have the skill, space, or tools to do it.
The wood has really dried out I am almost afraid to move it although I know it would be fine in the long run.
Your information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Benson Gray]

If you don't want to restore this canoe yourself then one of the builders listed at http://www.wcha.org/builders-and-suppliers-directory can probably help. Good luck with your decision,

Benson

 

[Dave Osborn]

Dan Lindberg....
The I found the NOS Thompson tag several years ago on eBay.

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Interesting, many years ago I bought several from Jack Wagner, that he had repop'ed, back when he was selling off his stuff.