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Mustad Hooks – 9856

Mustad 9856 Sneck hook silhouette
Hook Reference › O. Mustad & Son Hooks › Mustad Hooks – 9856

O. Mustad & Son 9856

Mustad 9856 Sneck1925 or later (recorded boxes)

Evidence reviewed October 8, 2026. Marks: P photographically · V verified · I inferred · E estimated · S speculative What they mean

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Summary

Mustad Qual. 9856, sold as Mustad-Sneck Hooks. Two labeled boxes document the model here, one marked size 2/0 and one size 1 P. The Oslo address on their labels places them in 1925 or later I.

Photographic record

6 photographs

Mustad box lid with a gold-printed Key Brand label reading Qual. 9856, Hollow Point, Mustad-Sneck Hooks, with size 2/0 written in purple.
IMG-1Mustad 9856 Box and Label Size 2-0 Box of Mustad Qual. 9856 Mustad-Sneck Hooks, size 2/0 written in by hand.

How to identify it

The box label identifies the model in two lines: “Qual. 9856” and “Mustad-Sneck Hooks” P. Below them, “T. d. tapered eye, bright” abbreviates turned-down tapered eye and gives the finish P.

The label names the maker as “O. MUSTAD & SÖN” with the address “OSLO – NORWAY” P. A key emblem stands at upper left between the words “Key” and “Brand” P.

Technical profile and measurements

Features of the model, as recorded
FeatureRecordedEvidence
EyeTapered Eye, Turned Down
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Turned down and tapered per the label V. The wire narrows at a visible step just behind the eye, and the loop looks thinner than the shank P.

LBL-2OBS-1OBS-8
WireFine (1X Fine), Round, est. ~0.055"-0.065" (~1.4–1.6 mm)CMP-3CMP-3 compared with 125 catalogued hooks classified Fine (1X Fine)
Shank2X Long — PlainCMP-1CMP-1 compared with 76 catalogued hooks classified 2X Long
BendSneck, Standard gap
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Broad upper turn, nearly straight rear, angular lower corner, and a straight run to the point, roughly parallel to the shank P. Side views only; lateral offset unknown.

OBS-2OBS-9
PointHollow Point
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Single raised cut barb on the inner side of the point, sharp-tipped and standing clear of the point P.

OBS-4OBS-10
FinishBright / Uncoated Steel — stated on packaging
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Bright per the label V: uncolored, reflective grey steel with no bronze, black, or other coating visible P.

LBL-2OBS-6OBS-12

“Hollow Point” on the label names the point form P: a point whose inner edge curves inward between barb and tip. On the size 2/0 close-up that curve is not clearly visible at the magnification used P.

The sides of the point carry ground facets with fine striations on both recorded sizes P.

Measurements

Size 2/0 · grid photo
Overall length73 mm
Shank length50.5 mm
Gap width16.5 mm
Bend depth26 mm
Shank-to-gap ratio~2.9–3.2 : 1
WeightNot available
Calibrated SVG True-scale preview

How hook dimensions are measuredA hook outline with dimension lines for overall length, shank length, gap, bend depth, and wire diameter.Overall lengthShank lengthGapBend depthWire diameter
Overall length
Eye to the farthest point of the bend.
Shank length
Eye to the start of the bend.
Gap
Point to shank, at right angles to the shank.
Bend depth
Shank to the bottom of the bend.
Wire diameter
Across the wire, measured by caliper where possible.
Catalog records. Two boxed lots recorded: size 2/0, with box label and hooks photographed on grid paper, and size 1, with box label and one hook photographed on grid paper.

Specimens, packaging, and label

This record documents 2 specimens. Each describes itself only; none stands for every example of the model.

Mustad box lid with a gold-printed Key Brand label reading Qual. 9856, Hollow Point, Mustad-Sneck Hooks, with size 2/0 written in purple.
Open full size
Mustad box lid with a gold-printed Key Brand label reading Qual. 9856, Mustad-Sneck Hooks, with size 1 written in purple after No.
Open full size

S1 · Box of size 2/0

Size
2/0 (printed on the label)
Container
Box
Hook condition
Small rust spots on the outer bend, barb, and point; scattered small dark specks on the shank. All photographed hooks straight and intact (P).
Packaging condition
Good — moderate wear, legible
Wear
box lid edges and corners; label lower edge: Lid edges scuffed and frayed, paper torn away at the lower left and lower right corners; small nick in the lower edge of the label; light soiling on the label's left side. LBL-6
Wear
box lid left edge and corners: Lid left edge frayed with board layers exposed; corners scuffed. LBL-7
Photographs
IMG-1IMG-2IMG-3IMG-4

Lid edges scuffed and frayed, with paper torn away at the lower left and lower right corners; small nick in the lower edge of the label; light soiling at the label's left side P.
Box interior not photographed.
The hook photographs are captioned size 2/0; none shows a hook with this box.

What the label says

LBL-1 trademark · lid label, upper left, above and below the key emblem from IMG-1IMG-6
Key
Brand
LBL-2 printed · lid label, main text block, centre and right from IMG-1IMG-6
O. MUSTAD & SÖN
Manufacturers
OSLO - NORWAY
Qual. 9856
Hollow Point
Mustad-Sneck Hooks
T. d. tapered eye, bright
Made in Norway
LBL-3 printed · lid label, lower left; '100' level with the 'T. d.' line, 'No.' level with 'Made in Norway' from IMG-1IMG-6
100
No.
LBL-4 handwritten · lid label, lower left, on the '100' line between '100' and 'T. d.' from IMG-1
2/0
LBL-5 handwritten · lid label, lower left, after 'No.', between the '100' and 'No.' lines from IMG-6
1
Trademark
Gold key emblem, upright with the bow at top and the bit at bottom, between the words Key (above) and Brand (below) at the label's upper left.
As entered on the specimen record
Key
Brand
O. MUSTAD & SÖN
Manufacturers
OSLO - NORWAY
Qual. 9856
Hollow Point
Mustad-Sneck Hooks
T. d. tapered eye, bright
Made in Norway
100
No.
Layout
Key above and Brand below a key emblem at upper left.
Main text block centered and to the right.
100 at lower left, level with the T. d. line; No. level with Made in Norway.
Later marks
2/0, in purple, on the 100 line between 100 and T. d.; the 0 overlaps the T P.
Mustad box lid with a gold-printed Key Brand label reading Qual. 9856, Hollow Point, Mustad-Sneck Hooks, with size 2/0 written in purple.
Open full size
Mustad box lid with a gold-printed Key Brand label reading Qual. 9856, Mustad-Sneck Hooks, with size 1 written in purple after No.
Open full size

S2 · Box of size 1

Size
1 (printed on the label)
Container
Box
Hook condition
Rust-brown streak along the top of the rear half of the shank; brown discoloration on the point facets. Hook straight and intact (P).
Packaging condition
Good — moderate wear, legible
Wear
box lid edges and corners; label lower edge: Lid edges scuffed and frayed, paper torn away at the lower left and lower right corners; small nick in the lower edge of the label; light soiling on the label's left side. LBL-6
Wear
box lid left edge and corners: Lid left edge frayed with board layers exposed; corners scuffed. LBL-7
Photographs
IMG-5IMG-6

Lid left edge frayed with board layers exposed; corners scuffed P.
A thin dark wavy line to the right of Manufacturers is unidentified.
Box interior not photographed.
A row of short dark tick marks runs along the lower edge of the forward half of the hook shank; their nature is not determined.
The hook photograph is titled size 1; it does not show the hook with this box.

What the label says

LBL-1 trademark · lid label, upper left, above and below the key emblem from IMG-1IMG-6
Key
Brand
LBL-2 printed · lid label, main text block, centre and right from IMG-1IMG-6
O. MUSTAD & SÖN
Manufacturers
OSLO - NORWAY
Qual. 9856
Hollow Point
Mustad-Sneck Hooks
T. d. tapered eye, bright
Made in Norway
LBL-3 printed · lid label, lower left; '100' level with the 'T. d.' line, 'No.' level with 'Made in Norway' from IMG-1IMG-6
100
No.
LBL-4 handwritten · lid label, lower left, on the '100' line between '100' and 'T. d.' from IMG-1
2/0
LBL-5 handwritten · lid label, lower left, after 'No.', between the '100' and 'No.' lines from IMG-6
1
Trademark
Gold key emblem, upright with the bow at top and the bit at bottom, between the words Key (above) and Brand (below) at the label's upper left.
As entered on the specimen record
Key
Brand
O. MUSTAD & SÖN
Manufacturers
OSLO - NORWAY
Qual. 9856
Hollow Point
Mustad-Sneck Hooks
T. d. tapered eye, bright
Made in Norway
100
No.
Layout
Key above and Brand below a key emblem at upper left.
Main text block centered and to the right.
100 at lower left, level with the T. d. line; No. level with Made in Norway.
Later marks
1, in purple, after No., between the 100 and No. lines P.

Storage and Preservation

The bright finish shows no protective coating, and the recorded hooks already carry rust spots P. Keep the boxes dry and away from damp or salt air, and return hooks to their box after handling.

The paper labels sit on paperboard boxes whose edges already fray P. Store boxes flat, out of direct light, with nothing pressing on the corners.

Pattern history and manufacturer context

Series

No Mustad catalog page or dated price list for the 9856 has been located, so the model’s production span and full size range are not established.

Dating

The label gives the maker's address as OSLO - NORWAY P. Kristiania (Christiania) took the name Oslo on January 1, 1925, under an act of July 11, 1924 V, so the recorded boxes date from 1925 or later I. No catalog page, dated price list, or dated example has been found to close the range or to date the model's introduction.

O. Mustad & Son Read the maker’s history →
Stewart's Verdict on the Sneck. W. C. Stewart's The Practical Angler names four hook bends: round, Limerick, Kirby, and sneck. He set the Kirby and sneck aside as no better at hooking than the round bend and harder to bait, and kept to the round bend (V, fifth edition, 1867).

Use

Primary application

The 9856 label names no intended flies or baits P, and no period catalog or tying reference recording its use has been located.

Collecting and buying

Not rated: how often the 9856 turns up, and how much collectors seek it, are not yet documented beyond the two boxes recorded here.

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.

Low ($12): Good condition, opened packaging, all or most hooks present, minor wear.
High ($13): Excellent/Mint condition, sealed or near-sealed card, complete hook count, minimal defects.
Premium factors: Original gold-foiled Mustad label intact, complete 100-hook count, clean bright finish, 1950s–1960s Oslo-era packaging.
Platforms: eBay completed sales (US and international).
Confidence: V verified — based on 4 eBay sold listing(s) for Qual. 9856 in various sizes, $11.99–$12.99.

Recorded sales and listings
ListingPriceDateCondition
100 MUSTAD HOOKS SIZE 2 Fly/BAIT CLASSIC Sneck TD TAPERED EYE BRIGHT NORWAY 9856From $11.99 askinglive listingNew other (see details)
100 MUSTAD 2/0 Fly/BAIT Sneck HOOKS TURNED DOWN TAPERED EYE BRIGHT NORWAY 9856From $12.99 askinglive listingNew other (see details)
100 MUSTAD 1/0 Fly/BAIT Sneck HOOKS TURNED DOWN TAPERED EYE BRIGHT NORWAY 9856From $12.99 askinglive listingNew other (see details)
200 MUSTAD HOOKS SIZE 1 Fly/BAIT CLASSIC Sneck TD TAPERED EYE BRIGHT READ 9856From $11.99 askinglive listingNew other (see details)

Where to find

eBay (primarily US sellers), UK tackle dealers, occasional fly-tying specialty shops. Sold listings appear 2–4 times per month on eBay.

Modern equivalents and related hooks

Modern equivalents
HookMatchNotes
Partridge N4A SneckExcellentDirect lineage to historic Redditch Sneck tradition; hand-forged high-carbon steel; tapered eye available. Closest modern equivalent to vintage Mustad in philosophy and material.
Darbylite SneckVery goodTraditional English Sneck bend; hand-forged construction; available in multiple finishes. Specialist maker focused on historic patterns.
Tiemco TMC 200RGoodRound-bend wet fly hook with tapered eye; modern chemically sharpened point and consistent sizing. Does not preserve Sneck geometry but serves similar applications.
Ahrex FW580ModerateContemporary general-purpose streamer hook with standard eye; excellent modern point geometry but lacks historic Sneck character.

Best matchRelated by Attribute

Computed automatically from catalog data — updated as new hooks are added.

SilhouetteHook ModelMatchAnalysisCompare
3349 No. (unspecified) — Mustad-Sneck 334978%Matches: Bend, Shank, Gap, Eye, Eye Orient. +4 moreDiffers: Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Heavy (1X Heavy); Point: Hollow Point vs Superior; Finish: Bright / Uncoated Steel vs Bronzed +2 moreCompare
3842 No. (unspecified) — Mustad 384275%Matches: Bend, Shank, Gap, Point, Forging +2 moreDiffers: Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Standard; Eye: Tapered Eye vs Ball Eye; Eye Orient.: Turned Down vs Straight / Inline +4 moreCompare
213 No. 2 — Eagle Claw silhouette213 No. 2 — Eagle Claw73%Matches: Shank, Gap, Eye Orient., Point, Forging +3 moreDiffers: Bend: Sneck vs Kirby (offset); Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Extra-Fine; Eye: Tapered Eye vs Ball Eye +1 moreCompare
3871 No. 10 — Mustad 3871 silhouette3871 No. 10 — Mustad 387173%Matches: Bend, Gap, Eye, Eye Orient., Point +3 moreDiffers: Shank: 2X Long vs 1X Long; Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Standard; Finish: Bright / Uncoated Steel vs Bronzed +1 moreCompare
M 55 No. 1 to 7/0 — Kendal Sneck Hooks73%Matches: Bend, Gap, Point, Forging, Offset +2 moreDiffers: Shank: 2X Long vs Standard; Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Standard; Eye: Tapered Eye vs Ball Eye +2 moreCompare

ExploratoryRelated by Shape (SVG)

Ranked purely by silhouette geometry — attribute labels are ignored.

SilhouetteHook ModelMatchCompare
3284 D No. 1 — Mustad-Aberdeen Hooks silhouette3284 D No. 1 — Mustad-Aberdeen Hooks81%Compare
1721 B No. 2 — Edgar Sealey 1721 B Streamer Hook silhouette1721 B No. 2 — Edgar Sealey 1721 B Streamer Hook78%Compare
3739 No. 8 — Aberdeen silhouette3739 No. 8 — Aberdeen73%Compare
37352 No. 6 — Aberdeen Hooks silhouette37352 No. 6 — Aberdeen Hooks72%Compare
3284 No. 2 — Aberdeen Hook silhouette3284 No. 2 — Aberdeen Hook72%Compare

Sources, open questions, and record notes

Sources & Documentation

This specimen and its packaging — photographed, 6 images
Supports: sub brandsize documentedquantity per packagehook type applicationsecondary applicationsconstructioneyebendfinishbarbcondition notesmeasurement notescumulative records notesize measureddating rangepackagingcollectability summarycollectability ratingraritymeta descriptionprimary search termssummaryidentificationtechnical notesseries historyprimary application

Entry last updated June 9, 2026. Entries are updated as new specimens, measurements, or documents come to light.