Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
The Mustad 3139 D represents a classic example of mid-20th century Kirby hook design with gold-plated finish P. This ringed hook features the traditional offset point that defines the Kirby bend family, originally developed by London needle maker Charles Kirby in the 17th century V.
Packaged in Mustad’s distinctive bright orange box with decorative border and Key Brand logo, this specimen dates to approximately 1950-1970 based on the Oslo address and packaging style E. Size 11 represents one of the ‘odd’ sizes that were gradually discontinued as manufacturers standardized their offerings V.
The gold plating distinguishes this from the more common bronzed versions, making it particularly attractive to collectors of vintage Mustad hooks. The ‘D’ suffix likely denotes the gold finish variant within the 3139 series I.
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Mustad-Best Kirby Hook - Ringed Goldplated - Made in Norway
The superior point features a near-straight inner taper that creates a sharp, penetrating tip while maintaining structural strength P. The gold plating serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, providing corrosion resistance and flash attraction that can trigger strikes from fish V. The kirby offset theoretically prevents the hook from lying flat in a fish’s mouth, though modern testing suggests the advantage is minimal compared to straight hooks I.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
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O. Mustad & Son was established in Gjovik, Norway in 1832 by Ole Mustad, transforming from a small needle and pin factory into the world’s largest fishhook manufacturer. By the early 20th century, Mustad had established global distribution networks and became synonymous with quality fishhooks worldwide.
The company’s ‘Key Brand’ trademark became one of the most recognized symbols in fishing tackle, representing consistent quality and innovative manufacturing techniques. Mustad’s industrial scale production and scientific approach to hook metallurgy set new standards for the entire industry.
The 3139 series represents Mustad’s classic Kirby bend hooks, introduced as part of their comprehensive catalog of traditional English hook patterns adapted for industrial production. The series was offered in multiple finish variants, with the ‘D’ suffix indicating the gold-plated version.
This series maintained the traditional Kirby offset geometry while benefiting from Mustad’s precision manufacturing and quality control. The gold-plated variant was positioned as a premium option for anglers seeking both functionality and aesthetic appeal in their tackle.
Bright orange paper box with decorative border pattern and Key Brand logo represents classic mid-century Mustad packaging design. Oslo address (rather than Gjovik) indicates earlier production period. No barcode confirms pre-1974 manufacture. Typography and box construction consistent with 1950s-1970s era.
Size 11 hooks represent a fascinating aspect of fishing history when manufacturers offered granular size progressions to match specific bait presentations. Charles Kirby's original 17th-century design was so effective that it remained virtually unchanged for over 300 years, with Mustad's version differing only in manufacturing precision and materials science advances.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3138 No. 9/0 — 3138 Best Kirby Hook | 84% | Compare | |
|
1505 No. 4 — Mustad-Best Kirby Hooks | 73% | Compare | |
|
2320 No. 6 — Mustad-Kirby Sea Hooks | 73% | Compare | |
|
3819 No. 6 — 3819 Flatted Eye | 70% | Compare | |
|
31363 No. 10 — Mustad-Crystal Hook | 70% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3871 No. 10 — Mustad 3871 | 96% | Compare |
|
195 No. 7 — Kendal Sneck | 96% | Compare |
|
802 No. 4 — Mustad 802 | 94% | Compare |
|
7970 No. 6 — Mustad 7970 | 93% | Compare |
|
9037 E No. 14 — Mustad 9037 E | 93% | Compare |
Originally designed for traditional bait fishing with natural baits like worms, maggots, and bread paste. The gold plating provided flash attraction and corrosion resistance P. The kirby offset was believed to improve hooking by preventing the hook from lying flat against the fish’s mouth V. Also suitable for traditional wet flies where the gold finish adds sparkle to patterns like March Brown and Partridge and Orange I.
March Brown, Partridge and Orange, traditional wet fly patterns requiring gold finish
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 3138 | Excellent | Direct descendant with same Kirby geometry, available in even sizes only |
| Gamakatsu Octopus | Good | Modern offset bait hook with similar application range |
Strong historical significance as a classic Kirby pattern with rare size 11 and gold finish, but relatively common Mustad production limits premium value.
Positive factors include the historical significance of the Kirby bend design, the increasingly rare size 11 designation, and the attractive gold-plated finish that sets it apart from standard bronzed versions. The excellent condition of both hooks and packaging adds considerable appeal for collectors.
Limiting factors center on Mustad’s large-scale production, which means these hooks were manufactured in substantial quantities despite the discontinuation of odd sizes. The brand’s continued operation also means similar patterns remain available, reducing scarcity value compared to defunct manufacturers.
Small rectangular cardboard box with bright orange/red paper covering. Decorative border of repeated snowflake or floral motifs around perimeter. Central Key Brand logo with company text 'O. MUSTAD & SON Manufacturers Oslo - Norway'. Model specification 'Qual. 3139 D Superior' and product description 'Mustad-Best Kirby Hook Ringed Goldplated'. Quantity marked as '100 No. 11'. Bottom states 'Made in Norway'.
Price driven primarily by packaging condition and size 11 rarity. Gold finish commands premium over bronzed variants. Complete boxes in excellent condition bring top values.
Vintage tackle shows, eBay auctions, estate sales, specialized fishing collectible dealers
Key identifiers include the size 11 marking (discontinued odd size), bright orange Mustad box with decorative border, Oslo address rather than Gjovik, and gold-plated finish with ‘D’ suffix designation. Verify the kirby offset and superior point geometry.
Store in a cool, dry environment to prevent tarnishing of the gold plating. The original orange box provides excellent protection and should be retained for maximum collectible value. Avoid handling the hooks directly – oils from fingers can cause discoloration over time.
If removing hooks from the box for examination, use fine-tip tweezers to prevent scratching the gold finish. The cardboard packaging is susceptible to fading, so store away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting.
Size 11 represents one of fishing’s ‘lost sizes’ – odd-numbered designations that were gradually eliminated as manufacturers streamlined their offerings in the latter half of the 20th century. These intermediate sizes allowed anglers to fine-tune their presentations with greater precision than the standard even-numbered progression.
Finding a size 11 hook today immediately identifies it as vintage production, typically pre-1980. The elimination of odd sizes was driven more by inventory management than fishing performance, making these specimens important historical artifacts of a more granular era in tackle manufacturing.
| 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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