Two more requests

[Dave Wermuth]

thanks in advance. the ser no search team has been busy. Much aprectiated.

first one is:
141103 18 A sponsoned, half ribbed OTCA i think.

the other is:
82238 18 A sponsoned HW, i think. Curious as this has a special paint design and there is a thin chance it is original.

It was a productive day for the canoe rescue squad.

 

[Al Sienkiewicz]

Dave: The Old Town canoe with serial number 82238 is a 18 foot long CS grade HW with sponsons. It was built in December 1923. The original exterior canvas covering was dark red. It shipped on March 4, 1924 to Cleveland, OH. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link behind the attached thumbnail image below.

Check the number on the half ribbed OTCA. The Old Town canoe with serial number 114103 is an 11 foot long CS grade 50 pounder with a keel (wish I could find that canoe). It was built between May 1934 and March 1935. The original exterior canvas covering was bright green. It shipped on April 3, 1935 to New York, N.Y. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link behind the attached thumbnail image below.

This scan and several hundred thousand others 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/ot_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/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Al

 

[Al Sienkiewicz]

Dave: I just realized I transposed your second serial number, I'll get back to you. Al

 

[Al Sienkiewicz]

Dave: This looks a lot better. The Old Town canoe with serial number 141103 is a 18 foot long AA grade OTCA with a keel, half ribs and sponsons. It was built between October 1944 and February 1945. The original exterior canvas covering was bright red and GS (guides special?) green. It shipped on February 14, 1945 to Detroit, Michigan. A scan of this build record can be found by following the link behind the attached thumbnail image below.

This scan and several hundred thousand others 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/ot_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/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Al

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Thanks Al!!

The older one currently looks like this. A decal on the deck looks like a fraternity. Ever heard of such a thing? This canoe looks original to me. It doesn't seem possible though.

 

[Benson Gray]

There is a little bit more to this story. The back side of the build record shows that this canoe was returned for credit on October 6th, 1924 because the paint had peeled. The canvas was filled again and repainted in January of 1925. Then it was shipped on March 9th, 1925 to Detroit. It appears to have arrived in Bloomfiled Hills, Michigan by August 1984 when there was a previous request for a copy of this build record.

The lack of any reference to the design number 37 indicates that this was probably added after it left the factory. The stripe looks slightly wider than the typical half inch described at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/designs/design37.gif from the catalog. The "Greek Ends" would be consistent with a fraternity canoe. If the Greek letters on the bow deck were hand painted than the same person probably put the stripe on the sides as well. Nice rescue,

Benson

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Thanks Benson

It is interesting that my other HW, a 1926 18'er also was sold through Crowley, Milner and Co. Det, MI.

The Greek letters, Alpha, Ro, Delta look like a water transfer decal, but could be painted. I don't see any signs of a prior restoration. there is a canvas patch. I guess I won't know for sure til I take it apart. I'm lucky to have it.