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The Mustad 3719 is a mid-century Norwegian salmon and sea-trout wet-fly hook, part of the Trade series marketed to professional and serious amateur tyers. Manufactured by O. Mustad & Son in Gjøvik, the 3719 features a tapered blind eye (traditional salmon-fly construction), Sproat bend, extra-heavy wire gauge, and a hollow point—a direct functional descendant of British Redditch patterns. The specimen shown is size 7, blued finish, on original blue Trade label card dated c. 1950–1965.
The hook’s defining feature is the blind eye, a smooth taper to a rounded point requiring gut-loop or whipped-loop attachment. This construction reflects professional salmon-fly tradition and distinguishes the 3719 from Mustad’s more common ring-eye models. The extra-heavy wire accommodates large dressings with multiple hackles, silk bodies, and tinsel, standard for Atlantic salmon patterns of the mid-20th century.
Collector significance rests on the original blue Trade label and the period-correct construction. The tapered blind eye has no modern utility but is historically correct and appeals to traditional fly-dressing enthusiasts. The blued finish is period-authentic; later versions appeared in nickelled or bright steel. Original carded examples with legible labels command modest but genuine collector premiums, particularly in salmon sizes (1/0–4).
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The hollow point represents Mustad’s answer to the traditional pointed-eye salmon fly hooks of Redditch makers. The concave inner face of the point creates a knife-edge effect, concentrating force on a smaller penetration area than a blunt or ‘Superior’ point. This geometry was particularly valued for salmon and sea trout, where hard mouth structures and strong takes demanded precision point geometry. The extra-heavy wire gauge (0.22″-0.24″ diameter) provides the strength necessary for large dressings with multiple thread wraps, tinsel bodies, and stiff hackle fibers without risk of wire deformation during the tying process. The tapered blind eye reflects the professional salmon-fly tradition: it allows the tyer to construct a whipped loop or tie gut directly to the tapered shank, eliminating the bulk of a soldered or welded eye ring — critical for elegant presentation on large patterns. Mustad’s forging process produced consistent bend geometry and eliminated the brittleness common in cast hooks.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
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O. Mustad & Son was established in Gjøvik, Norway, in 1877 as a hardware and tool manufacturer. In the 1880s, the company began fishhook production and rapidly became Europe’s largest industrial hook manufacturer. Unlike the craft-oriented Redditch makers (Allcock, Partridge, Sealey), Mustad pioneered mass production with drop-forging and automated eye-forming equipment. By the 1920s, Mustad supplied hooks globally through mail-order catalogs and tackle wholesalers. The company maintained separate product lines for different market segments: ‘Superior’ for general fishing, ‘Trade’ for professional fly tyers, and specialty lines (salmon, saltwater, bait). During the mid-20th century, Mustad became the de facto standard hook manufacturer in Scandinavia and held major market share in Britain and North America, competing directly with but never fully displacing British craft makers. The company’s manufacturing philosophy emphasized consistency over hand finishing, making Mustad hooks more affordable but, in the eyes of traditional fly tyers, less refined than English hooks. Mustad remains the world’s largest hook manufacturer today, headquartered in Oslo.
The 3719 belongs to Mustad’s ‘Trade’ line of sea-trout and salmon flies, part of the company’s comprehensive wet-fly hook catalog from the 1940s-1970s. This series was marketed toward professional and serious amateur tyers in Europe and North America. The 3719 specifically was a flagship heavy-wire salmon pattern hook, produced continuously throughout the 1950s and 1960s in sizes 1/0 through 10. The tapered blind-eye construction reflects British salmon-fly traditions that Mustad maintained even as industrial manufacturing replaced hand craft. The ‘Extra Extra Strong’ designation indicated wire gauge relative to competitors; this was common nomenclature in Norwegian and British catalogs but did not follow a standardized scale. The series remained in production through the 1980s, though post-1975 packaging shifted to modern barcodes and safety warnings.
No barcode present (pre-1974 standard). Blue offset-printed label with 'Made in Norway' text consistent with post-WWII Mustad packaging. Box construction (kraft paper exterior, cardboard core) typical of 1950s-1960s manufacture. No modern safety or compliance markings. Phone/address format (if visible) would confirm tighter dating, but label degradation limits readability. Bluing finish and eye construction consistent with mid-century Mustad salmon-fly standards.
The tapered blind eye on the 3719 reflects a 150-year-old British salmon-fly tradition that Mustad, the world's largest industrial hook manufacturer, deliberately preserved for the professional market. While Mustad's main lines shifted to cheaper welded ring eyes in the 1940s–1950s, the Trade series maintained tapered blind eyes specifically for British and Scandinavian professionals who tied patterns for Atlantic salmon. This meant Mustad maintained separate die sets, forging templates, and quality standards for a shrinking market of craft tyers—a decision that seems inefficient by modern manufacturing logic but made commercial sense in post-war Europe when a professional fly tyer's reputation was tied to elegant, hand-finished flies. The 3719 was never mass-market; it was a specialist tool for people who could afford to spend an hour on a single fly.
The 3719 descends from traditional English salmon-fly hooks of the Redditch school, particularly the designs of S. Allcock and Partridge. Mustad’s entry into the salmon-hook market in the early 1900s involved licensing or reverse-engineering these proven patterns, then optimizing them for mass production. The tapered blind eye directly imitates the Sealey and Allcock constructions, suggesting that Mustad valued compatibility with established fly-dressing practices. Post-war, the 3719 competed with Partridge’s similar O’Shaughnessy and Sproat patterns, and with Alcock’s commercial sea-trout hooks. The 3719 remained largely unchanged through the 1970s, a testament to the soundness of the original design. Modern equivalents include the Partridge CS91 Sproat and the contemporary Mustad S77F, though neither matches the tapered blind eye.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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3785 No. 3/0 — Mustad 3785 | 79% | Compare | |
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4046 — Bridgeport Snapper Hooks | 78% | Compare | |
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No. 1770 No. 1 — Kirby Carlisle Hooks | 77% | Compare | |
|
3706 No. 4 — Carlisle Hook | 73% | Compare | |
|
3198 No. 2/0 — Mustad-Carlisle Hooks | 71% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
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9575 No. 10 — Mustad-Special Limerick | 99% | Compare |
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3203 No. 5/0 — 3203 | 98% | Compare |
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3498 D No. true — Pacific Bass Hooks | 93% | Compare |
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33005 No. 7 — Mustad-Chestertown Hooks | 93% | Compare |
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9674 No. 4 (P) — Mustad 9674 Viking Streamer Hook | 93% | Compare |
The 3719 was designed as a heavy-duty salmon and sea-trout wet-fly hook, intended for larger Atlantic salmon patterns and coastal sea-trout flies. The extra-heavy wire and generous gap accommodate robust dressings with multiple hackles, tinsel, and bucktail wings. The tapered blind eye is the traditional construction for these species, permitting gut-loop attachment or whipped loop construction rather than a rigid eye ring.
Salmon fly patterns requiring tapered blind eye construction: Mar Lodge, Jock Scott, Silver Doctor, Thunder and Lightning, Dusty Miller, Greenwell (traditional versions). Sea-trout patterns: Greenwells Glory, Peter Ross, Mallard and Claret, Teal and Red. Not typically used for modern fly designs due to the eye construction incompatibility with contemporary loop-eye expectations.
Rated 4.0/10 — moderately uncommon in the original Trade series with intact blue label; larger sizes (5–8) are less scarce than small sizes. Collector demand is modest but steady among traditional salmon-fly enthusiasts and Mustad historians. The tapered blind-eye construction and blued finish appeal to specialists, but the hook remains production volume—not rare. Size 7 is a practical working size and less prized as a specimen than extremes (1/0 or 14).
Collectibility Factors: The original blue Trade label is the primary driver of collector interest. Intact, legible labeling commands a meaningful premium over loose or re-carded hooks. The tapered blind eye is a period-correct construction that interests salmon-fly specialists and hook historians; modern fly tyers often view it as impractical and seek conventional eyes. The blued finish is desirable among collectors, as post-war Mustad shifted to cheaper nickelled or bright finishes. The 3719 in size 1/0 to 4 (salmon sizes) are more collected than size 7–10 (sea-trout and smaller-fly sizes), which are still considered working hooks rather than display specimens.
Limiting Factors: Production volume was substantial throughout the 1950s and 1960s; the 3719 is not rare in any absolute sense. Loose hooks without packaging command minimal premium over standard hooks of similar size and finish. The tapered blind eye, while period-correct, has no appeal to modern fly tyers and actually diminishes utility value. Size 7 is a middle-ground size—neither a trophy salmon pattern (1/0–4) nor a delicate trout size (10–14). Condition issues (missing hooks on card, label deterioration) reduce value sharply; collectors prefer sealed or near-sealed examples.
Desirable Variants: Size 1/0, 2/0, and 4 with intact blue labels command the highest interest. Sealed cards (all hooks present, original tissue) command premiums of 50–100% over opened examples. Blued finish examples from the 1950s–1960s production run (pre-barcode) are more desirable than later nickelled variants. Any original Mustad catalog or price list that references the 3719 by model code increases the value of associated specimens.
Blue paper sales card with offset lithograph printing. Card measures approximately 3.25" × 5.5" E. Label displays 'Trade' sub-brand designation, manufacturer name 'O. MUSTAD & SON' in block serif, model number '3719', size designation 'No.', and specification text 'Extra Extra Strong' and 'Made in Norway'. Card stock is cream/kraft colored; blue label features decorative floral border elements in gold ink. Single hook mounted via gut loop to card with tissue separator. No barcode. Price not visible or removed.
Low ($6): Good condition — blue card opened, 1 hook present, minor label wear, legible text. High ($18): Excellent condition — sealed or near-sealed card, all hooks present, label crisp with minimal toning, no defects. Premium factors: original blue Trade label (intact, legible), blued finish (not nickelled), tapered blind eye (period feature), size 1/0–4 (salmon preference; size 7–10 command 10–30% less). Platforms: eBay UK and US (periodic listings; 2–4 comparable sales annually), occasional specialist tackle dealer sales. Confidence: E estimated — limited comparable sales data; estimates based on general Mustad Trade card market and specialist salmon-hook demand. Loose single hooks $1–3; original cards $6–25 depending on size and condition.
eBay (UK and US) — search 'Mustad 3719' or 'Mustad Trade salmon hook' — typically 1–2 listings active at any time. Specialist tackle dealers (UK): John Norris, E. Vosper, and regional fishing tackle shops. Tackle collector fairs and antique markets in Scandinavia and Britain. Auction houses specializing in sporting equipment occasionally offer Mustad Trade series in lots. Less common in North America outside of regional collectors.
The Mustad 3719 is identified by the model code printed on the blue Trade label. The tapered blind eye (smooth taper, no flat spade) distinguishes it from the more common straight-ring versions. Size is printed on the label but this specimen is No. 7. The blued finish (cool grey-blue tone, not brown) confirms mid-century manufacture; post-1980 versions often appear in nickelled or bright finishes. The floral border decoration on the blue label and the offset-printed text (not letterpress) are period diagnostics. Original blue card with legible label markings significantly increases collectibility over loose hooks.
Store the 3719 on its original blue Trade card in a cool, dry environment away from direct moisture and humidity. The blued finish is susceptible to rust development if exposed to damp air; a sealed plastic sleeve or archival box provides adequate protection. If the card becomes damp, air-dry it completely before re-sealing to prevent mold growth on the paper. The tapered blind eye attracts less corrosion than welded eyes due to the absence of seams, but salt air or marine environments will still cause degradation; avoid display in kitchens, bathrooms, or coastal locations.
Original packaging adds significant collector value — preserve the blue label intact. Do not attempt to clean, bleach, or restore faded printing; age patina is normal and expected. If the card shows minor edge tears or creasing, leave them unrepaired; conservation-grade archival tape (acid-free) may be used on structural damage, but cosmetic damage is acceptable and expected on 70-year-old material.
Avoid contact with other metals (iron, copper, aluminum) to prevent galvanic corrosion. Store away from rubber bands, PVC packaging, or materials that off-gas sulfur or acidic compounds. Loose hooks should be stored in small paper envelopes or acid-free tissue, not in plastic bags.
Source: Mustad 3719 Trade label, printed offset lithography, c. 1950–1965
The blue label reads ‘Trade’ (top), ‘O. MUSTAD & SON’ (manufacturer), ‘No. 3719’ (model code, printed clearly in block serif), ‘(size designation)’ (handwritten or stamped for specific size), ‘Extra Extra Strong’ (wire gauge designation), and ‘Made in Norway’ (post-WWII origin mark). The phrase ‘Extra Extra Strong’ is characteristic Mustad nomenclature from the 1940s–1960s, indicating wire gauge relative to their standard and light models, but it does not correspond to any universal wire standard. It was marketing language meant to communicate robustness to professional fly tyers accustomed to British catalogs that used similar terminology (Allcock and Partridge used ‘Strong’ and ‘Extra Strong’ designations in parallel).
The model number ‘3719’ is Mustad’s internal catalog code with no obvious mnemonic structure; the number appears to have been assigned sequentially within the Trade series during catalog organization, possibly in the 1930s–1950s. The lack of a registered trademark or patent number suggests the 3719 was a production standard, not a patented design—consistent with its lineage as a modified version of established British patterns.
The ‘Made in Norway’ text is a post-WWII origin mark, legally required in export markets (UK, USA) from 1945 onward to distinguish from German-made hooks still in circulation. The absence of a barcode (not introduced until 1974 in the US) and the absence of modern safety warnings or capacity/count declarations confirm mid-century production (1945–1970 range, narrowed by label design to c. 1950–1965).
The 3719 is documented here as size ‘No. 7’ (or sometimes written ‘No.7’ with no space). This is a Mustad salmon-fly sizing convention that does not correspond to the modern universal hook sizing scale. Mustad’s Trade series used a descending numbering system for salmon hooks: 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 (largest) through 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (smallest). Size 7 on the Trade series is equivalent to a modern size 7 in terms of absolute gap width and shank length (approximately 0.60″ gap, 1.35″ shank), but the nomenclature differs from Mustad’s ‘Superior’ series, which used different die sets and sizing conventions.
This means a 3719 No. 7 should not be assumed equivalent to a Mustad Superior No. 7 without verifying photographs. The Trade series and Superior series were manufactured separately and sold to different markets (professional vs. general). Tyers transitioning from one series to another often had to size up or down by one or two sizes to match bend and gap profiles.
| 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).
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