Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Mustad 3116 A represents the classic era of wet fly fishing when Limerick bends dominated trout streams. This Norwegian-made hook from the 1950s-1960s features the distinctive angular Limerick bend that was prized for its superior holding power over rounded bends V.
The ‘Key Brand’ packaging with its decorative star border and Oslo address places this firmly in Mustad’s golden age of Norwegian production, before manufacturing shifted overseas. The handwritten size ‘7’ marking reflects the less standardized sizing of the era when odd-numbered sizes were still common P.
Collectors value these hooks for their historical significance in wet fly development and the quality of Norwegian steel and bronzing. The extended barb noted by analysts makes this particularly interesting as a variant from standard proportions P.
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The Limerick bend’s angular geometry creates a sharp transition at the bend’s apex, theoretically providing better holding power than rounded bends by creating multiple pressure points. The superior point with its near-straight inner taper provides excellent penetration while maintaining strength. The extended barb on this specimen creates additional holding power but may make hook removal more challenging P.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
Physical measurement with calipers
Physical measurement with calipers
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O. Mustad & Son was founded in 1832 by Ole Mustad in Gjovik, Norway, growing to become the world’s largest hook manufacturer. The company’s Oslo operations, referenced on this packaging, handled distribution and sales throughout Scandinavia. Mustad’s Norwegian production was renowned for high-quality steel and precise manufacturing, with the ‘Key Brand’ line representing their premium offerings to the global market.
The company’s dominance in the mid-20th century was built on industrial-scale production combined with traditional craftsmanship. Norwegian-made Mustad hooks from this era are considered the gold standard by collectors and vintage tackle enthusiasts.
The 3116 series was Mustad’s standard Limerick bend wet fly hook, with the ‘A’ suffix indicating the short shank variant. This series was central to wet fly fishing from the 1920s through the 1970s, when the Limerick bend’s angular geometry was considered superior for holding power compared to round bends.
The series included various shank lengths and wire gauges, but the 3116 A with its compact proportions became the go-to choice for classic wet fly patterns. Production continued through multiple decades with only minor variations in packaging and finishing.
Key Brand logo with decorative star border, Oslo - Norway address without postal codes, handwritten size '7' marking, green cardboard box construction with letterpress printing, and 'Made in Norway' text all indicate mid-20th century production before postal code adoption and before manufacturing moved overseas.
The Limerick bend was developed in Ireland and dominated wet fly fishing for over a century because fly fishers believed its sharp angle provided superior holding power. Modern testing has largely disproven this theory, showing that round bends actually distribute stress more evenly, but the Limerick's reputation was so strong that Mustad produced millions of these hooks well into the 1970s.
The Limerick bend traces its origins to 19th-century Irish fly fishing, where the angular geometry was developed for salmon and sea trout fishing. Mustad adopted and refined this design for mass production, making it the global standard for wet fly hooks through the mid-20th century. The design influenced virtually all wet fly hook manufacturers of the era, though most have since moved to rounded bend geometries.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3123 No. 3 — Mustad-Limerick Hook | 84% | Compare | |
|
7111 B No. 2/0, 6/0 — Mustad 7111B Limerick | 79% | Compare | |
|
1937 No. 2/0 — Iron Arm Spear Pointed Limerick | 76% | Compare | |
|
3123 A No. true — Mustad-Limerick Hooks | 76% | Compare | |
|
3101 No. 2 — 3101 Limerick Hook | 76% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9485 No. 6 — Mustad 9485 Viking Hook | 99% | Compare |
|
1921 R No. 9 — Limerick Hooks | 98% | Compare |
|
W 205 No. 12 — Sproat Hook | 98% | Compare |
|
W172 No. 14 — Allcocks W172 | 97% | Compare |
|
Blue Label 2x Fine TDE No. 14 — Blue Label | 97% | Compare |
Classic wet fly and heavy nymph patterns requiring the traditional Limerick bend geometry. The short shank and angular bend made this ideal for compact wet flies like March Brown, Partridge and Orange, and traditional soft hackles. The superior point provided excellent penetration while the extended barb ensured secure hooksets in fast water P.
Small bait fishing for trout and panfish where compact hook profile was desired
March Brown, Partridge and Orange, Leadwing Coachman, traditional soft hackles, weighted nymphs
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 3906 | Good | Similar wet fly application but with Sproat bend instead of Limerick |
| Tiemco 3769 | Moderate | Wet fly hook with turned-down eye but different bend geometry |
Historical significance of Limerick bend design and Norwegian production quality, but limited by relatively common survival rate.
Positive factors include the classic Limerick bend geometry that’s largely disappeared from modern production, the quality Norwegian manufacturing, and the distinctive ‘Key Brand’ packaging from Mustad’s golden era. The handwritten size marking and odd-numbered size add historical interest.
Limiting factors include the relatively large original production run and decent survival rate of these hooks. While uncommon, they’re not rare enough to command premium prices. The extended barb variant adds some collecting interest but isn’t documented as a distinct model.
Green cardboard box with decorative star border pattern. Letterpress printing in dark brown ink. Key Brand logo with key symbol. Text includes 'O. MUSTAD & SON MANUFACTURERS OSLO - NORWAY', 'Qual. 3116 A Superior', 'Mustad-Limerick Hooks', 'T.d. tapered eye Bronzed', 'Short shank', '100 No. 7', 'Made in Norway'. Handwritten '7' in blue ink over printed size area. Box shows wear and edge damage consistent with age.
Complete box with hooks commands $20-35 depending on condition. Individual hooks worth $1-2 each. Premium for handwritten size marking and good box condition.
eBay vintage tackle lots, estate sales, older tackle shops with dead stock, European fishing tackle fairs
Look for the distinctive Key Brand logo with decorative stars, Oslo address without postal codes, and the angular Limerick bend profile. The extended barb on this specimen is unusual – most 3116 A hooks have shorter, more proportional barbs. Genuine Norwegian production will show superior steel quality and bronzing compared to later overseas manufacture.
Store in a cool, dry environment to prevent oxidation of the bronzed finish. The original cardboard packaging is particularly vulnerable to humidity and should be kept in a stable environment. Avoid handling the hooks directly when possible, as oils from skin can affect the bronze patina over time.
The green cardboard box is susceptible to fading in direct light, so store away from windows or strong artificial lighting. If displaying, consider UV-filtering glass or acrylic. The letterpress printing is stable but the handwritten size marking may fade over time.
The handwritten ‘7’ in blue ink appears to be a shop or distributor marking, likely added when the box was opened for retail sale. The ink is ballpoint or fountain pen, consistent with 1950s-1960s retail practices. The numeral is written over the printed size area, suggesting this was a standard practice for this retailer.
The handwriting style and ink color are consistent with period commercial marking practices. This type of size notation adds historical authenticity and suggests retail distribution through smaller tackle shops rather than large-scale sporting goods chains.
| 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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