Selected size
4/0
Catalog record
- Overall Length
- 45.8 mm V
- Shank Length
- 25.6 mm V
- Bend Depth
- 17.7 mm V
- Wire Diameter
- 1.4 mm V
- Confidence
- V Catalog record only
Mustad Hooks – 3406
Mustad 3406
Mustad 3406c. 1950-1965
Save this hook to your account to build a list you can come back to.
Record summary
The Mustad 3406 is a mid-century Norwegian-manufactured O’Shaughnessy hook representing the mid-tier quality segment of Mustad’s vast catalog. Bearing the distinctive red snowflake-bordered label and Key Brand logo characteristic of 1950s–1960s packaging, this size 6 forged hook combines a heavy wire gauge with a Superior point design optimized for bait and streamer applications in fresh and light saltwater environments.
The hook’s defining engineering features are its forged wire (mechanically flattened for increased tensile strength) and O’Shaughnessy bend curvature, which distributes fighting stress evenly across the arc. The Superior point—documented on the original packaging—indicates a near-straight inner taper optimized for all-purpose reliability rather than specialized penetration mechanics.
Dating evidence is substantial: the ‘OSLO – NORWAY’ designation on Line 3 establishes post-1925 manufacture (Christiania was renamed Oslo in 1925), while the label aesthetics, snowflake border design, and letterpress print method align precisely with documented Mustad mid-century packaging. The absence of modern UPC barcode confirms pre-1974 production.
The 3406 holds moderate collecting interest for vintage tackle historians, fly tiers seeking original-era hooks for historical pattern recreation, and Mustad archival documentation enthusiasts. Original boxed examples with intact 100-hook counts command $18–28 on the secondary market; the sustained production of modern equivalents (3407/34007) and widespread availability of surviving vintage stock limit extreme scarcity premiums.
Photographic record
4 cataloged imagesSelect any record to load it above.
4 images shown
Technical profile
Ringed | O'Shaughnessy Bend | Standard Shank | Heavy Forged Wire | Superior Point | Bronzed Finish
- Eye
- Ball Eye, Straight / Inline
- Wire
- Extra-Heavy (2X+), Forged
- Shank
- Standard — Plain
- Bend
- O'Shaughnessy, Standard gap
- Point
- Superior (near-straight inner taper)
- Finish
- Bronzed — Inferred (photographically likely)
The Superior point geometry—documented on Line 5 of the vintage label—indicates a near-straight inner taper that concentrates penetration force at the tip while maintaining structural strength. This design balances the immediate but delicate penetration of a hollow point against the durability of a spear point, making it ideal for generalist fresh and light saltwater use. The forged wire (indicated by mechanical flattening along lateral sides) undergoes cold-press work that dramatically increases tensile strength and rigidity without adding weight, enabling the hook to resist bending open under sustained pressure from large fish. The O’Shaughnessy bend itself—a parabolic curve intermediate between round and Limerick—distributes load evenly, preventing catastrophic failure at stress concentrations.
Size & scale lab
Physical specimen
Catalog record
Selected size
6
Catalog record
- Overall Length
- 20.4 mm V
- Shank Length
- 10.6 mm V
- Bend Depth
- 7.8 mm V
- Wire Diameter
- 0.7 mm V
- Confidence
- V Catalog record only
Calibrated SVG
True-scale preview
Own this hook? Help us measure it.
We have measurements for sizes 4/0, 6. Know any others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
Historical context
mustad
O. Mustad & Søn was founded in 1832 in Gjøvik, Norway, initially as a general metalworks factory (Brusveen Spiger- og Staltradfabrikk) under Hans Schikkelstad. The company pivoted to hook manufacturing after Ole Hovelsen Mustad and his son Hans Mustad took control and rebranded as O. Mustad & Søn. The defining moment came in 1877 when visionary engineer Mathias Topp invented the first fully automated hook-making machine, capable of cutting, bending, barbing, and pointing wire at unprecedented speed. Rather than file patents (which would require public disclosure of proprietary mechanics), the Mustad family pursued aggressive trade secrecy, restricted factory access, and strict non-disclosure agreements to protect their technology against competitors in Redditch, England, and emerging hook centers in Japan and the United States.
This strategy proved devastatingly effective. By the 1950s, Mustad had secured approximately 50% of global hook production market share, establishing manufacturing and sales facilities across multiple continents. The company’s strict adherence to standardized, eight-line typographic labeling—encoding technical specifications for international wholesalers and retailers—became an unofficial global industry standard. The iconic ‘Key Brand’ logo (downward-pointing skeleton key) served both as a psychological marketing symbol and as a universal visual identifier for dock workers and merchants handling global exports in regions where Norwegian or English text might not be legible.
Series History
The Mustad 3400-series represents the mid-tier quality designation in Mustad’s vast catalog hierarchy. These hooks, numbered between 3000–3999 on the Quality code system, were manufactured to exacting dimensional and tempering standards, targeting anglers seeking reliable, durable implements without the premium pricing of specialized dry fly or salmon iron models. The 3406 specifically documents an O’Shaughnessy bend hook designed for fresh and light saltwater bait and streamer applications.
The 3406 appears in multiple mid-century Mustad catalogs with consistent designation: Superior point, forged wire, ringed eye, rustproof (bronzed) finish. The hook was produced in size range 2 through 8/0, with size 6 representing a standard utility size for general bait and wet fly use. Production continued into the 1970s before Mustad’s corporate transition to the modern ‘Signature Series’ nomenclature (c. 2001–2009), which replaced arbitrary quality codes with logical alpha-numeric designations (e.g., ‘R50’ for Round bend, standard weight, standard shank). The 3406 has no direct continuation under the new system, though the modern 3407 and 34007 stainless steel O’Shaughnessy hooks serve as spiritual successors.
Era and Packaging Dating
Line 3 of label reads 'OSLO - NORWAY' (not Christiania), indicating post-1925 manufacture. The red paper label with distinctive snowflake border design, classic Key Brand logo with skeleton key graphic, and offset letterpress printing are consistent with mid-20th-century Mustad packaging. 'Made in Norway' text reinforces Oslo-era production. The absence of a barcode supports pre-1974 dating. The specific label design and color palette match documented Mustad 1950s-1960s packaging.
The Snowflake Border and Mid-Century Mustad Aesthetics
The distinctive snowflake (asterisk pattern) border adorning this label is one of the most recognizable design signatures of mid-century Mustad packaging, appearing on thousands of red-label boxes manufactured between 1950 and 1965. This decorative motif—repeated black asterisks forming a frame—served both as a visual branding device and as a subtle quality assurance marker: the consistency and precision of the snowflake pattern was evidence of Mustad's industrial sophistication and control over manufacturing standards. Collectors often identify the era of a Mustad box within a 10-year window simply by examining the snowflake density, printing method (letterpress vs. offset), and label dimensions. The 1950s–1960s red-label period represents a 'golden age' of Mustad documentation, when the company was simultaneously at peak market dominance and still committed to detailed, standardized technical labeling on every box—a practice that began to erode as modern barcode systems and blister packing gradually replaced the traditional eight-line paper label.
Design lineage and influence
The O’Shaughnessy pattern derives from Irish sea-trout and salmon traditions dating to the 19th century. Mustad’s industrial reverse-engineering of this regional pattern allowed massive global distribution by the early 20th century. The 3406 represents a mid-tier commercial adaptation: heavier and more durable than the lighter 3304 (Sproat), yet less specialized than the extreme heavy-duty models (O’Shaughnessy variants in the 7000+ quality tier). Modern equivalents—the 3407 and 34007 in stainless steel—remain in continuous production, testifying to the enduring utility of this bend and wire gauge combination.
Best matchRelated by Attribute
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3408 D No. 5 — O'Shaughnessy Hooks | 88% | Compare | |
|
3408 No. Size 5 and Size 6 — Mustad 3408 | 83% | Compare | |
|
790 No. 12 — T.D.E. Forged O'Shaughnessy Limerick Hook | 83% | Compare | |
|
3831 No. 4 — Mustad-OShaughnessy Hooks | 80% | Compare | |
|
3123 A No. true — Mustad-Limerick Hooks | 79% | Compare |
ExploratoryRelated by Shape (SVG)
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nyack TDE — Nyack TDE (Down Tapered Eye) | 98% | Compare |
|
2611 T No. 10 — Sneck Bend, Spear Pointed | 98% | Compare |
|
3667 No. 9 — Mustad 3667 Limerick Hollow Point | 98% | Compare |
|
8080 No. 6 — Mustad 8080 | 98% | Compare |
|
1810 TUE — Best Hollow Point Sproat | 97% | Compare |
Cross-reference & comparisons
Wet Fly
Nymph
Primary Application
The Mustad 3406 O’Shaughnessy is a mid-weight bait and streamer hook, engineered for fresh and light saltwater fishing where moderate strength and durability are required. The forged O’Shaughnessy bend distributes stress evenly across the arc, preventing straightening under the weight of large live baits or during extended fights with hard-pulling species. Historically used for worm and cut-bait fishing for bass, pike, catfish, and panfish, and for tying weighted streamers, bucktails, and classic wet fly patterns (e.g., Leadwing Coachman, Muddler variations).
Secondary Applications
Light saltwater bottom fishing, shad and herring plugs, small live baitfish rigs.
Classic Fly Patterns
Leadwing Coachman, Muddler Minnow, Woolly Bugger, zonker-style streamers, classic bucktail wet patterns.
Modern Equivalents
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 3407 | Excellent | Direct modern equivalent; same O'Shaughnessy bend, forged construction, stainless steel upgrade. |
| Mustad 34007 | Excellent | Modern O'Shaughnessy O'Shaughnessy; stainless steel, ringed eye, available in identical size range. |
| Eagle Claw 254 | Good | O'Shaughnessy pattern competitor; slightly different wire gauge profile, similar bend geometry. |
| Tiemco TMC115H | Moderate | Premium modern O'Shaughnessy variant; heavier wire, different eye construction, superior metallurgy. |
Industry cross-reference
Traditional wet fly hook
Standard shank round bend down eye
| Core | C1550Chart only |
|---|---|
| Daiichi | 1530Spec record 1550Spec record |
| Hanák | H230BLChart only H260BLChart only |
| Mustad | 3906Full record |
| Orvis | JA167TChart only |
| Partridge | G3AFull record |
| Tiemco | 3761Chart only 3769Chart only |
Green entries are full records; amber entries are spec records. Gray entries are chart-only and not physically verified against this specimen.
Collector notes
The 3406 is a moderately collectible vintage Mustad hook, valued for its documented O'Shaughnessy bend and forged wire construction. The era dating (1950s-1965) and intact original packaging elevate its appeal; however, it lacks the extreme rarity or specialized design (dry fly hooks, salmon irons) that command premium prices. Superior point designation and mid-century production date appeal primarily to fly tiers and vintage tackle historians.
Positive factors: Documented quality-tier production (mid-range model, not economy), clean preserved original packaging with snowflake-bordered label, mid-20th-century Oslo manufacture, recognizable bend pattern with continued modern equivalents, and intact card with 100-hook count designation. The Superior point marking and forged construction evidence engineering quality of the era.
Limiting factors: Not exceptionally rare—the 3406 was produced in substantial volume as a mid-tier bait and wet fly hook. The pattern remains in production in modern form (3407/34007), reducing scarcity premium. Size 6 is standard utility size, not a specialty or difficult-to-find sizing. Bronzed finish, while attractive, is common on mid-century freshwater hooks and lacks the premium cachet of japanned or tinned variants. Condition is good but not mint.
Packaging
Cream-colored cardstock box with bright red paper label featuring decorative snowflake border (repeated asterisk motif) in black. Label text in heavy black letterpress: 'Key Brand' with skeleton key graphic (upper left), 'O. MUSTAD & SÖN' (line 1), 'MANUFACTURERS' (line 2), 'OSLO - NORWAY' (line 3), 'Qual. 3406' (line 4), 'Superior' (line 5), 'Mustad-O'Shaughnessy Hooks' (line 6), '100' (quantity, lower left), 'No. 6' (size, lower left), 'Forged' (line 7), 'Ringed Rustproof' (line 8), 'Made in Norway' (lower right). Snowflake border wraps entire label perimeter. Box exterior shows age toning and light wear; label has minor creasing but remains legible and vibrant.
Market Value Notes
Original boxed specimens with intact cards and 80+ hooks typically fetch $18–28 USD on eBay and specialist vintage tackle dealers. Single hooks in loose form trade at $0.50–2.00. Pricing is driven primarily by label condition, original box preservation, and completeness of hook count. Boxes with worn labels or missing hooks realizing $12–18. Superior premium to modern hooks (~$0.30 each) reflects collecting interest in Mustad archival documentation and packaging aesthetics rather than fishing utility.
Where to Find
eBay (vintage tackle category), specialty online hook dealers (vintageflyhooks.com, etc.), estate tackle sales, regional fishing heritage auctions, and UK-based Redditch/Mustad archive specialists.
Preservation
Storage and Preservation
Store the original boxed set in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight, excessive humidity, and temperature fluctuations. The bronzed finish—composed of a baked-on lacquer or chemical coating mimicking bronze hue—is susceptible to humidity-driven patina development. Many collectors embrace this natural aging as desirable patina; however, if you prefer to arrest oxidation, store the box in an acid-free container with silica gel packets.
Keep hooks on the original cardstock, as loose storage exposes the bare steel wire to accelerated corrosion. The red paper label should be protected from handling oils and moisture; handle the box by the cardboard edges rather than the label itself. Avoid stacking heavy objects atop the box, as cardstock degrades under sustained pressure. Do not attempt to clean the bronzed finish with abrasive compounds or harsh solvents—modern commercial rust removers may strip the original protective coating, compromising the patina and historical accuracy of the specimen.
If any hooks show signs of surface rust or white corrosion bloom, separate them from the card and store in an air-tight, inert environment. The original packaging itself is often more valuable to collectors than the hooks alone; prioritize preservation of the label and box structure above all else.
Primary Source
Decoding the Eight-Line Label
Source: O. Mustad & Søn vintage label, Qual. 3406, c. 1950–1965; cross-referenced with garrenwood.com reference document 'A Comprehensive Typology and Decryption of Vintage O. Mustad & Søn Hook Labels.'
This label exemplifies Mustad’s standardized eight-line typographic format, a remarkably consistent encoding system that remained largely unchanged from the 1920s through the 1970s. Each line conveys specific technical and commercial information:
Lines 1–2 (Corporate Identity): ‘O. MUSTAD & SÖN’ and ‘MANUFACTURERS’ establish ultimate manufacturer authority, differentiating Mustad from import agents and regional repackagers who were common in early-20th-century tackle distribution.
Line 3 (Geographic Origin & Dating): ‘OSLO – NORWAY’ is critical. The city name alone dates this box post-January 1, 1925 (when Christiania was officially renamed Oslo). Earlier boxes bearing ‘CHRISTIANIA – NORWAY’ are definitively pre-1925 and extremely rare.
Line 4 (Quality Code): ‘Qual. 3406’ denotes the specific model within Mustad’s hierarchical quality-tier system. The 3000–3999 range indicates mid-tier products manufactured to exacting standards, neither economy models (1000–2999) nor premium specialists (4000+).
Line 5 (Point Type): ‘Superior’ indicates the point geometry and quality designation. According to Mustad manufacturing standards, a Superior point features a near-straight inner taper optimized for all-purpose reliability.
Line 6 (Pattern Name): ‘Mustad-O’Shaughnessy Hooks’ identifies the overarching bend geometry. This pattern—originating in Irish sea-trout traditions—was reverse-engineered and mass-produced by Mustad to dominate regional markets globally.
Lines 7–8 (Anatomical & Finish Data): ‘Forged’, ‘Ringed’, ‘Rustproof’ encode specific engineering features. ‘Forged’ indicates mechanical flattening of the wire for increased tensile strength. ‘Ringed’ specifies the eye type. ‘Rustproof’ (in this era) typically denotes a bronzed or tinned protective finish.
Quantity & Size (Lower Left): ‘100’ and ‘No. 6’ specify the box count and hook size. Vintage Mustad retail and wholesale boxes overwhelmingly contained 100 hooks; 50-hook and 25-hook variants were rarer specialty packaging.
Size Note
Vintage Size Scaling and the 'No. 6' Standard
The ‘No. 6’ designation on this box refers to a numeric sizing system distinct from modern fly hook gape measurements. Vintage Mustad regional bait hooks (Cincinnati, Aberdeen, Sproat patterns) often utilized scaling metrics that differ significantly from contemporary standardized gape measurements. A vintage ‘No. 6’ O’Shaughnessy is not numerically equivalent to a modern size 6 dry fly hook—the gap width and shank length proportions are substantially different.
This particular specimen measures ~0.26″ gap width (6.6 mm), consistent with historical documentation of vintage No. 6 bait hooks. For reference, modern size 6 hooks typically measure 0.25–0.28″ gap, creating confusion when vintage and modern hooks are compared side-by-side. Collectors and fly tiers must exercise caution when substituting modern ‘size 6’ hooks in historical bait or streamer recipes, as the visual profile and presentation characteristics may differ noticeably.
The Mustad quality code system (1000–9999 range) encoded bend pattern, wire gauge, and finish information, but did NOT standardize sizing across regional patterns. Thus, a size 6 Cincinnati bass hook, a size 6 Sproat, and a size 6 O’Shaughnessy could vary substantially in proportions, reflecting their distinct functional purposes and regional origins.
Additional
The Forged Wire Advantage: Cold-Press Metallurgy in Vintage Hook Manufacturing
The label designation ‘Forged’ on this hook references a specific metallurgical process that dramatically altered the structural properties of high-carbon steel wire without adding weight or thickness. During the mid-20th century, Mustad employed mechanical drop-press systems to flatten the lateral sides of the wire along the shank, creating a slightly flattened cross-section in place of the standard round profile.
This cold-forging process increased tensile strength and rigidity by approximately 30–50%, depending on the degree of flattening and the specific steel composition. The mechanical work of the press redistributed the grain structure of the steel, creating internal stress patterns that, paradoxically, made the wire more resistant to bending and straightening under extreme load. A ‘Forged’ O’Shaughnessy hook could withstand the weight and leverage of a large pike or catfish without opening or deforming, whereas an identical ‘Regular’ (non-forged) hook might permanently bend.
For anglers of the 1950s–1960s—fishing with natural baits, heavy rigs, and fish of substantial size—the forged construction was a critical engineering advantage. Modern hooks achieve similar strength through improved steel alloys and heat-treating protocols; however, the vintage forged wire approach remains a distinctive manufacturing signature of high-quality mid-century hooks. Collectors value forged hooks above non-forged variants because the visible flattening serves as evidence of intentional quality engineering and specialized manufacturing technique.
Confidence notation key
| P | Photographically verified — Directly observable in the photograph(s) on this page. |
| V | Verified by documentation — Confirmed by manufacturer catalog, spec sheet, or published reference. |
| I | Inferred — A logical deduction from observable or documented evidence, not directly stated. |
| E | Estimated — An approximation based on visual comparison, proportional analysis, or limited data. |
| S | Speculative — A reasoned hypothesis that cannot be confirmed from available evidence. |
Claims with no notation are confirmed by multiple independent sources. All photographs on garrenwood.com are taken on a measurement grid where each square equals 1/10 inch (0.1″ / 2.54 mm).