Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Mustad 17050 Crystal Hook represents a classic example of mid-20th century Norwegian hook manufacturing, featuring the iconic Key Brand packaging that dominated tackle shops from the 1950s through 1960s. This short-shank design was originally intended for bait fishing applications where the hook needed to be concealed within worms or salmon eggs V.
The forged construction and superior point geometry reflect Mustad’s industrial precision, while the bronzed finish provides corrosion resistance for both fresh and saltwater applications. The size 7 designation is particularly noteworthy – this ‘lost size’ was common in vintage catalogs but has largely disappeared from modern manufacturing I.
For collectors, the combination of original Key Brand packaging, vintage odd sizing, and the specialized Crystal designation makes this an attractive specimen representing Norway’s dominance in 20th century hook manufacturing P.
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The forged construction laterally compresses the wire, increasing strength without adding weight while creating the distinctive flat sides visible in profile. The superior point geometry provides excellent penetration characteristics, while the turned-down tapered eye reduces bulk at the fly head. The short shank design concentrates the hook’s mass near the bend, improving the sink rate for nymph patterns while maintaining structural integrity under load P.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
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Sources: this specimen and its packaging.
O. Mustad & Son was founded in 1832 by Ole Mustad in Gjovik, Norway, and grew to become the world’s largest fishhook manufacturer. The company’s success was built on industrial precision and innovative metallurgy, with their Gjovik factory becoming synonymous with quality hooks worldwide. The Key Brand logo, featuring the distinctive key illustration, was introduced in the early 20th century and became one of the most recognized symbols in fishing tackle.
The Crystal Hooks series was part of Mustad’s specialized short-shank offerings, designed primarily for bait fishing applications where hook concealment was critical. The ‘Crystal’ designation referred to the specific bend geometry – slightly wider and more open than a standard Sproat bend. This series was popular among both bait fishermen and fly tyers who appreciated the compact proportions for small wet flies and nymph patterns. The series was gradually phased out as standardized sizing became more prevalent in the 1970s.
Classic Key Brand logo with Oslo-Norway text indicates pre-1974 production. Cardboard slide-box construction typical of 1950s-1960s. Use of odd size 7 points to vintage era when granular sizing was common. Typography and overall design aesthetic consistent with mid-20th century Mustad packaging.
The size 7 hook represents what collectors call a 'lost size' - a sizing increment that was common in the golden age of hook making but has largely vanished from modern catalogs. Vintage anglers often preferred these intermediate sizes for matching specific hatch conditions, leading to much more granular sizing systems than today's standardized even-number progressions.
The Crystal Hook design evolved from traditional bait hooks but incorporated features that made it attractive to fly tyers. The concept influenced later specialty short-shank patterns from manufacturers like Partridge and Tiemco, though modern equivalents typically use different bend geometries and eye constructions.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9485 No. 6 — Mustad 9485 Viking Hook | 83% | Compare | |
| 77820 — Mustad-Round Hooks | 81% | Compare | ||
| 4555B No. 24 — Cinning Bass Gut Hook | 81% | Compare | ||
|
84 No. 6 — Eagle Claw | 79% | Compare | |
| S 3008 No. s. 1–12 (graduated size run on manufacturer's sample card) — S 3008 | 77% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
7105 No. 7 — Mustad 7105 | 99% | Compare |
|
3480 No. 1 — Mustad 3480 Lake Trout Hook | 98% | Compare |
|
B No. 10 — Albert Partridge Widegape Up Eye | 98% | Compare |
|
CS7 MW No. 10 — Captain Hamilton International Middleweight Fly Hooks | 97% | Compare |
|
3625 No. 12/0 — Mustad 3625 Salmon Hook | 96% | Compare |
Originally designed for bait fishing with worms and salmon eggs, the short shank Crystal Hook was quickly adopted by fly tyers for compact wet flies, nymphs, and spider patterns. The abbreviated shank allows flies to sink quickly while maintaining proper proportions for smaller aquatic insects P.
Single salmon eggs, threading worms, vintage wet fly patterns
Spider patterns, soft hackles, compact nymphs, caddis pupae
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiemco 3769 | Good | Similar short shank proportions for nymph patterns |
| Mustad 3399A | Moderate | Standard wet fly hook but with longer shank |
| Kamasan B160 | Good | Short shank design for sedge and nymph patterns |
Mustad 17050 Crystal hooks are mass-produced utilitarian fishing hooks with limited collector appeal despite their vintage era. Industrial volume and straightforward design constrain collectability to below-average range.
Positive factors: Vintage manufacturing from the 1950s–1970s golden age of fly-tying hook production; rustproof plating was a meaningful innovation; clearly marked model number aids identification and dating.
Limiting factors: Mustad’s enormous industrial output means these hooks remain common in the secondary market; no rare variants or markings documented; condition of bulk-lot hooks (often oxidized or bent from use) reduces appeal; primarily utility-grade rather than premium or specialty collectible.
Desirable variants: Unopened original packaging from the 1950s–1960s would command modest premium; early-issue boxes with period graphics might interest industrial design collectors; high-count lots (500+) in mint condition slightly more desirable than small quantities.
Cardboard slide-box construction with decorative border pattern. White cardboard with black typography. Key Brand logo with classic key illustration. Oslo-Norway address format. Hand-marked purple size designation.
Low ($12): New/unused condition bulk lot<br />
High ($12): New/unused condition bulk lot<br />
Premium factors: Large unopened boxes (100+ hooks) with original period packaging<br />
Platforms: eBay<br />
Confidence: V verified — based on 2 eBay sold listing(s), $11.99–$11.99
Vintage tackle shows, estate sales, specialized fishing collectible dealers
Key identifiers include the Key Brand logo with key illustration, ‘Oslo – Norway’ address format, and cardboard slide-box construction. The purple size marking and ‘Crystal Hooks’ designation are specific to this series. Original boxes should contain 100 hooks with intact paper label.
| Title | Price | Date | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MUSTAD HOOKS #7 NYMPH/DRY FLY TYING CRYSTAL RUSTPROOF SHORT SHANK 17050 | $11.99 (asking) | active | New other (see details) |
| 100 MUSTAD HOOKS #9 NYMPH/DRY FLY TYING CRYSTAL RUSTPROOF SHORT SHANK 17050 | $11.99 (asking) | active | New other (see details) |
eBay market reference. Researcher-curated. Prices in USD. Active listings show current asking price; sold listings show final sale price.
Store in a cool, dry environment to prevent deterioration of the cardboard packaging. The bronzed finish is relatively stable but can develop patina with humidity exposure. Keep the original slide-box intact as it significantly adds to collector value. Avoid handling the hooks directly – oils from fingers can affect the bronze finish. Store horizontally to prevent the slide mechanism from becoming loose over time.
The size 7 designation represents an important piece of hook manufacturing history. Modern standardization has largely eliminated odd-numbered sizes, making vintage examples like this increasingly significant to collectors. The size falls between today’s size 6 and size 8, offering proportions that many vintage fly tyers considered optimal for specific applications. This granular sizing system reflected the more specialized approach to tackle manufacturing in the mid-20th century.
| 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. |
Unnotated claims are the compiler’s synthesis; see Sources. All photographs on garrenwood.com are taken on a measurement grid where each square equals 1/10 inch (0.1″ / 2.54 mm).
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