Mustad Quality 3310 is documented by a surviving “Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks” label and four specimen groups identified as sizes 18, 19, 20, and 23 P. The model is a single, barbed bass hook with a blind, transversely marked shank end and bronzed finish PV.
Physical-caliper records are available for sizes 18, 19, and 20. The size 23 specimen has a grid-derived estimated overall length of about 28.9 mm and still needs caliper confirmation E.
Photographic record
11 photographs · Hold Ctrl and scroll to zoom · drag to pan · double-click for 100%
Mustad 3310 Cincinnati Bass Hook Size 19 Point Detail Point geometry and small close-cut barb of the Mustad Quality 3310, showing the hollow point characteristic (inwardly curved inner face) typical of Mustad's heavy bait hooks. Photographed on 1/10-inch measurement grid.
2How to identify it
Look for the Key Brand skeleton-key device at upper left and the repeating floral or rosette border. The printed identification includes “Qual. 3310,” “Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks,” “Superior,” and “Marked Bronzed” P. On the photographed card, the size is handwritten as 19 beside the printed “No.” field.
Examined specimens have no formed ring or loop. Their straight round-wire shanks end in a short band of transverse ridges or notches rather than a visible flattened spade end P. Detailed specimens show a long-ground point with a nearly straight inner face and a small barb P.
The platform silhouette comparison classifies the bend as Sneck (CMP-2) and the wire gauge as Standard (CMP-3). Recorded caliper overall lengths are 41.33 mm for size 18, 40.16 mm for size 19, and 36.09 mm for size 20 V.
Across the wire, measured by caliper where possible.
Catalog records. Four specimen groups are recorded for sizes 18, 19, 20, and 23. Sizes 18–20 have physical-caliper measurements; size 23 has a proposed grid-derived overall length of about 28.9 mm E and still needs caliper confirmation.
Recorded Size Labels and Measurements
Specimen labels identify sizes 18, 19, 20, and 23 P. Physical-caliper records give overall lengths of 41.33 mm for size 18, 40.16 mm for size 19, and 36.09 mm for size 20 V. The size 23 specimen has a proposed grid-derived overall length of about 28.9 mm E.
FlyHooks.org independently documents a size 18 specimen at 43.04 mm overall, 32.9 mm shank, 15.4 mm height, and 1.25 mm wire V. Those measurements describe a different specimen and are retained separately from the physical-caliper record on this page.
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4Specimens, packaging, and label
This record documents 4 specimens. Each describes itself only; none stands for every example of the model.
Examined hooks are complete with intact points, barbs, and marked shanks; no heavy red corrosion is visible P. The size 19 printed card has light edge wear and toning.
5Pattern history and manufacturer context
Series
The photographed Mustad label identifies the pattern as Quality 3310, “Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks,” and states “Superior” and “Marked Bronzed” P. It also reads “O. MUSTAD & SÖN / MANUFACTURERS / OSLO – NORWAY” and “Made in Norway.”
Design lineage
The platform silhouette comparison classifies the 3310 bend as Sneck (CMP-2). No broader lineage is assigned here.
Dating
The photographed label prints “OSLO - NORWAY” P. Oslo became the official city name on January 1, 1925 V, so this packaging specimen is no earlier than 1925.
The package identifies Quality 3310 as “Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks” P. FlyHooks.org independently lists the 3310 for bass use V.
7Collecting and buying
6 / 10CollectabilityRarity: Uncommon
Scarce and historically significant. Represents pre-eyed-hook technology and a distinct American fishing tradition. Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks are modest collector interest, not commonly seen intact with original packaging.
Positive factors: Documented blind-eye construction demonstrates early snelling technology; marked shank is engineering detail of historical interest; Mustad-Cincinnati branding reflects specific regional marketing strategy; original hand-stamped card with decorative border has aesthetic appeal; pre-1960s dating with clear era evidence supports vintage collector market; represents functional fishing technology mostly abandoned after 1960s; marked shank hooks increasingly rare as collectors prefer eyed variants.
Limiting factors: No fly-tying market demand (modern tyers prefer eyed hooks); bait fishing tradition has declined relative to fly fishing; blind-eye construction requires specialized snelling knowledge; not premium rarity tier (more common than Partridge or early Edgar Sealey variants); size 19 (vintage scale) not equivalent to modern standards, limiting functional reuse; condition of original card affects value significantly, and many examples found loose without packaging.
Market value
Insufficient recorded sales data to estimate a reliable value.
0 sold observations recorded; 2 are needed, with the basis and date of the range, before a value is shown. Asking prices are shown as asking prices only.
Original hand-stamped card with intact packaging commands 12–18 USD. Loose hooks alone typically 4–8 USD. Condition of orange card is primary driver: mint/excellent card can double value. Pricing reflects modest specialty-collector demand; most sales through vintage tackle dealers and eBay rather than premium auction venues. Regional North American sellers moving higher volumes than European markets.
Where to find
eBay vintage fishing tackle; specialist dealers in vintage bass and catfish hooks; tackle swap meets and fishing heritage fairs; occasional estate sales with old-tackle collections.
8Label and source analysis
Packaging Text and Marks
Source: Photographed Mustad 3310 card or label, IMG-2
The printed card or label reads: “Key / Brand”; “O. MUSTAD & SÖN / MANUFACTURERS / OSLO – NORWAY”; “Qual. 3310 / Superior”; “Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks”; “100”; “Marked Bronzed”; “No.”; and “Made in Norway” P. The number 19 is handwritten beside the printed “No.” field. A skeleton-key device appears with Key Brand, and a repeating floral or rosette border surrounds the card.
9Modern equivalents and related hooks
Modern equivalents
Hook
Match
Notes
Mustad 3366 Sproat Wet Fly
Very good
Same Sproat bend family and approximate size/gap. Modern ringed eye and tapered-eye versions eliminate snelling requirement. Functionally equivalent for similar bait and wet-fly applications.
Tiemco D2099 Sproat
Very good
Japanese manufacture, modern tapered eye, identical bend profile to 3310. Premium alternative for modern fly tying in Sproat family.
Partridge Limerick Blind Eye (if still in production)
Good
British maker, blind-eye construction preserves snelling tradition. Limerick bend slightly more angular than Sproat, but both serve bait and classic wet-fly work.
Best matchRelated by Attribute
Computed automatically from catalog data — updated as new hooks are added.
Matches: Bend, Eye, Eye Orient., Point, Finish +5 moreDiffers: Shank: 1X Long vs Standard; Wire: Standard vs Heavy (1X Heavy); Shank ratio: 80.9% vs 79.0% +1 more
Matches: Bend, Shank, Eye, Eye Orient., Finish +5 moreDiffers: Wire: Standard vs Fine (1X Fine); Point: Superior vs Hollow Point; Shank ratio: 80.9% vs 81.5% +2 more
Matches: Bend, Shank, Eye, Eye Orient., Forging +3 moreDiffers: Wire: Standard vs Fine (1X Fine); Point: Superior vs Hollow Point; Finish: Bronzed vs Bright / Uncoated Steel +1 more
Matches: Bend, Shank, Eye, Eye Orient., Forging +5 moreDiffers: Wire: Standard vs Fine (1X Fine); Point: Superior vs Standard / Spear; Finish: Bronzed vs Bright / Uncoated Steel +1 more
Matches: Bend, Shank, Eye, Eye Orient., Point +5 moreDiffers: Wire: Standard vs Heavy (1X Heavy); Finish: Bronzed vs Tinned; Shank ratio: 80.9% vs 62.3% +1 more
Do you have a Mustad catalog or price list that lists Quality 3310?The model's introduction date, discontinuation date, complete manufactured size range, factory specification, and period bend terminology are not documented by the current sources.Can you help? Please send clear scans or photographs of the catalog cover, publication date, 3310 listing, and any price-list page that includes Quality 3310.
Entry last updated June 9, 2026. Entries are updated as new specimens, measurements, or documents come to light.