Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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Mustad 94842 Viking is a forged standard-wire dry and wet fly hook manufactured in Oslo, Norway. This example is size 14 with a turned-up tapered eye, straight shank, and concave hollow point. The bronzed finish is warm brown in tone with visible forging texture beneath the coating P.
The packaging is a manufacturer box from Mustad, marked Quality 94842. The lid displays printed text in black letterpress on cream cardboard, with red brand name stamp typical of mid-20th-century Norwegian Mustad production P. No barcode is visible, placing the specimen before 1974. Postal format and logo style are consistent with 1950s-1960s Scandinavian production.
The Viking is an understated utility pattern in Mustad’s catalog. This particular size 14 specimen in original manufacturer box represents a good example of post-war Norwegian hook standardization, appealing primarily to specialists in Mustad’s evolution rather than collectors seeking rarity or design singularity.
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Turned Up Tapered Eye | Viking | Standard | Standard Wire | Hollow Point | Bronzed
The hollow point geometry features an inwardly curved inner face that tapers from the barb to a fine point, creating a knife-edge effect on the inner edge. This geometry concentrates material thickness on the outer face while reducing wire mass at the point, a design choice that favors penetration in hook-setting scenarios over material durability. The forged wire profile—slightly flattened from a true round cross-section—provides increased structural strength relative to round wire of equivalent nominal diameter, allowing the Viking to hold larger flies without excessive stress at the bend junction.
The tapered eye narrows progressively from the shank diameter to the eye loop, reducing the bulk of thread wrapping and material accumulation at the attachment point. For dry-fly work, this reduces the weight of the finished fly head; for wet flies, it provides a cleaner, less obstructed attachment for larger body materials.
Known manufactured size range: 2-24 V
Physical measurement with calipers
This pattern was made in sizes 2-24 (V). We have measurement for size 14. Know the others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
O. Mustad & Søn, based in Gjøvik, Norway, was established as a major hook and fishing tackle manufacturer in the 19th century. The company’s Oslo distribution center and marked production from the Norwegian factory made Mustad a leading supplier to European and North American markets by the mid-20th century. Post-war expansion and modernization of Norwegian manufacturing facilities positioned Mustad as one of the few remaining independent hook manufacturers capable of competing with established English makers like Partridge and Allcock. By the 1950s, Mustad had become the default supplier for many European distributors and retail chains. The company’s commitment to letterpress-printed packaging and traditional cardboard box formats extended into the 1960s, even as competitors began transitioning to barcoding and plastic-fronted cards.
The Mustad Viking line appears in catalogs from the 1950s forward as a stable utility pattern for fly tying. The series was offered in a wide size range (2-24 documented on this box) across multiple wire gauges and finishes (bronzed, blued, tinned). The turned-up tapered eye became standard across all Viking variants, while shank length and wire gauge variants allowed tyers to match the hook profile to specific patterns. No significant redesign or discontinuation of the Viking is documented; the pattern remained in continuous production at least through the 1970s and continues to be offered by Mustad’s modern Signature Heritage line (model R50U-94842), indicating the design’s durability and sustained utility appeal.
No barcode present, indicating pre-1974 manufacture V. Letterpress printing on cream cardboard is consistent with 1950s-1960s European packaging standards P. The red brand stamp "Mustad-Viking Hooks" and snowflake border pattern are typical of Scandinavian printing conventions from this period I. Logo style and typeface match verified Mustad catalogs from the mid-1950s V. The "Made in Norway" statement and Oslo address are consistent with Mustad's post-war distribution structure V. Postal format and lack of any modern reference marks support 1950-1965 window E. Physical condition—even patina, minimal cardboard degradation—suggests approximately 60 years of age, aligning with mid-1950s manufacture E.
The Viking bend family represents a mid-point design in Mustad’s utility hook spectrum. It lacks the deep, angular character of the OShaughnessy or the wide, open profile of the Aberdeen, positioning it as a balanced compromise for general-purpose fly dressing. The turned-up eye became standard for salmon and steelhead patterns in the late 19th century and remained the default configuration for premium fly hooks throughout the 20th century. Mustad’s adoption of the Viking design reflects post-war standardization across European and Scandinavian hook manufacturing, where production efficiency and catalog rationalization favored stable, proven geometries over continuous design innovation.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7974 No. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 — Mustad 7974 | 100% | Compare | ||
|
94833 No. 12 — Mustad 94833 Viking Hooks | 90% | Compare | |
|
94840 No. 10 — Mustad 94840 | 90% | Compare | |
|
94836 No. 6 — Mustad 94836 Viking Hook | 87% | Compare | |
|
W172 No. 14 — Allcocks W172 | 83% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9567 No. true — Beak Hook | 100% | Compare |
|
3827 No. 2/0 — Mustad 3827 | 100% | Compare |
|
9555 No. 3/0 — Mustad 9555 | 100% | Compare |
|
84 No. 6 — Eagle Claw | 100% | Compare |
|
255SS No. 1/0 — Eagle-Claw 255SS O'Shaughnessy | 99% | Compare |
The Mustad Viking 94842 is a traditional fly pattern hook intended for standard dry and wet fly tying. The size 14 specimen is appropriate for small to medium aquatic insects—mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies in their smaller emergence sizes, and soft-hackle wet patterns. The tapered eye and standard gap support both delicate dry-fly dressing and traditional wet-fly construction. The straight shank provides a neutral profile compatible with a wide range of dressing styles without introducing bend-related silhouette effects.
Traditional dry flies and wet flies of moderate size; March Brown, Greenwells Glory, Partridge and Orange, Cahill
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad R50U-94842 | Excellent | Current production equivalent — identical profile and specifications, modern packaging |
| Daiichi 1330 | Very Good | Japanese turned-up tapered eye, standard gap, comparable to Viking for dry-fly work |
| Gamakatsu S10U | Very Good | Turned-up tapered eye, standard wire, suitable alternative for small dry and wet patterns |
| Eagle Claw 59 | Good | Turned-up eye, similar application, slightly different bend geometry |
Rated 4.0/10 — uncommon as a complete original manufacturer box with full hook count, but limited collector demand beyond Mustad specialists. Size 14 in original packaging is desirable; larger and smaller sizes are less pursued. Condition of the box is the primary value driver.
Positive factors: Complete original manufacturer box is substantially rarer than the equivalent card-packaged versions. The preserved letterpress-printed lid and intact cardboard structure document a specific phase of Mustad’s mid-century production. The full count of 100 hooks in bright condition adds completeness premium. Turned-up tapered eye configuration appeals to salmon and steelhead fly tyers who still regard Mustad hooks favorably.
Limiting factors: The Viking is a utility pattern with no signature design singularity or historical renown. Mustad hooks, while well-regarded, lack the rarity premium of English Redditch makers (Partridge, Allcock, Milward). Size 14 is a common working size with relatively abundant surviving stock. The bronzed finish, while period-correct, is less visually distinctive than japanned or nickelled alternatives. Demand comes primarily from users seeking functional vintage hooks rather than collectors hunting rare catalog variants.
Desirability factors: Smaller sizes (18-22) and larger sizes (1/0-3/0) in this box format would command higher premiums. Original tissue or paper wrapper (if present) would add modest value. Complete, sealed boxes with all original tissue are exceptionally scarce and represent the high end of the value range.
Rigid cardboard manufacturer box with fitted lid, approximately 3.5" × 2.25" × 1.0" P. Lid and base printed in black letterpress on cream stock. Upper lid displays Mustad key logo on left, company name "O. MUSTAD & SON" and location "Oslo - Norway" in center, and red brand name "Mustad-Viking Hooks" as a stamp across the middle. Lower text states "Qual. 94842, Hollow Point, Forged Straight, 100 No. 14, T. up tap. eye, Bronzed, Made in Norway." Decorative snowflake border pattern runs along all edges P. No barcode or modern price marking visible. Box shows light toning consistent with 1950s-1960s storage.
Low ($8): Good condition — box opened, complete hook count, light toning to cardboard, no tears or major defects.<br />
High ($22): Excellent condition — box nearly sealed or mint, all hooks bright and perfect, printing sharp, lid edges intact.<br />
Premium factors: Complete manufacturer box (2-4x card equivalent); full 100-hook count; original Mustad letterpress printing; warm bronzed finish; turned-up tapered eye appeals to salmon pattern specialists; tight, undamaged box structure.<br />
Platforms: eBay (UK and US), specialist vintage tackle dealers, regional tackle fairs in Scandinavia.<br />
Confidence: E estimated — limited eBay historical data for complete Viking boxes; estimate based on comparable Mustad size-14 specialty packages and general manufacturer box premiums over cards.
Specialist vintage tackle dealers in Scandinavia and UK; eBay UK auctions under Mustad or Viking hooks; regional tackle fairs in Norway and Denmark; occasionally in bulk lots from estate clearances.
| 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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