Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Mustad 3406 B represents a crucial chapter in saltwater hook development, serving as the direct predecessor to the legendary 34007 stainless steel model. Manufactured by O. Mustad & Søn in Oslo during the 1950s-1960s, this forged O’Shaughnessy pattern features heavy wire construction and nickelplated finish for corrosion resistance in marine environments P.
The hook’s Superior point geometry provides reliable penetration while the classic O’Shaughnessy bend distributes fighting stress evenly along the curve, making it nearly impossible to straighten under load. Originally packaged in distinctive red-labeled boxes with the iconic Key Brand logo, these hooks were widely used for classic New England streamers and inshore bait fishing V.
Era dating is confirmed by the ‘Oslo – Norway’ designation and characteristic mid-century packaging style, placing production firmly in the pre-stainless transition period. The ‘B’ suffix likely indicates the nickelplated variant within the 3406 series, distinguishing it from other finish options available at the time I.
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The forged construction flattens the wire’s cross-section, significantly increasing strength without adding weight. The O’Shaughnessy bend geometry distributes stress mathematically along a parabolic curve, preventing straightening under extreme loads. The Superior point features a near-straight inner taper that concentrates penetrating force at the tip while maintaining structural integrity – a crucial balance for heavy saltwater applications where both sharpness and durability are essential P.
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Sources: this specimen and its packaging.
The 3406 series emerged during Mustad’s mid-century push into specialized saltwater patterns, designed to bridge the gap between traditional freshwater hooks and the demanding requirements of marine angling. The ‘B’ designation specifically indicated nickelplated finish, offering corrosion resistance before stainless steel became economically viable for mass production. This series directly evolved into the famous 34007 stainless model, maintaining identical geometry while upgrading the metallurgy for superior saltwater performance.
Oslo - Norway designation indicates post-1925 production. Red paper label with snowflake border pattern and Key Brand logo are characteristic of Mustad's mid-century packaging before plastic sleeves and barcodes in late 1970s. Letterpress printing and box construction consistent with 1950s-1960s era.
The O'Shaughnessy bend is named after the hook maker who popularized it in Limerick, Ireland, but Mustad's industrial precision manufacturing made it globally dominant. Interestingly, the nickelplating process used on the 3406 B required specialized electrolytic baths and was considered premium technology in the 1950s, costing significantly more than simple tinning or japanning finishes of the era.
The O’Shaughnessy bend traces its origins to Irish hook makers in Limerick, representing centuries of empirical refinement for strength under load. Mustad’s 3406 series refined this traditional geometry with industrial precision and modern metallurgy. The pattern directly influenced numerous competitors and established the template for modern heavy-duty saltwater hooks, with the stainless 34007 successor becoming the most widely used saltwater fly hook in history.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13107 No. 6 — O'Shaughnessy | 93% | Compare | |
|
3811 No. 3/0 — O'Shaughnessy | 85% | Compare | |
| 3413 No. (unspecified) — Qual. 3413 O'Shaughnessy | 83% | Compare | ||
|
23407 D No. 1/0 — O'Shaughnessy Hooks Ringed Duratin | 82% | Compare | |
|
23407 B No. 1, 2 — Mustad-O’Shaughnessy Hooks | 81% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
34007 No. 3/0, 2/0, 1, 2 — Mustad 34007 | 84% | Compare |
|
|
13107 No. 6 — O'Shaughnessy | 83% | Compare |
|
3407 No. 10/0 — Mustad 3407 O'Shaughnessy | 82% | Compare |
|
3831 No. 4 — Mustad-OShaughnessy Hooks | 81% | Compare |
|
3407DT No. 5/0 — Mustad 3407DT | 81% | Compare |
Designed for saltwater fly fishing and heavy bait applications. The O’Shaughnessy bend provides exceptional strength for fighting large fish, while the nickelplated finish offers corrosion resistance in marine environments. Popular for classic New England streamers, bucktails, and inshore bait fishing for species like flounder, snapper blues, and striped bass P.
Inshore bait fishing, saltwater trolling flies
Lefty's Deceiver, Classic Bucktails, New England Streamers
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 34007 | Excellent | Identical geometry in stainless steel construction |
| Gamakatsu SC15 | Good | Similar O'Shaughnessy bend with modern chemical sharpening |
| Owner SSW | Moderate | Comparable strength but different point geometry |
Solid collectability driven by historical significance as predecessor to the famous 34007 stainless model. Limited by relatively common availability.
This hook represents an important transition point in Mustad’s saltwater hook evolution, serving as the direct predecessor to the legendary 34007 stainless model. The nickelplated finish and vintage packaging appeal to collectors of mid-century tackle. However, collectability is constrained by the hook’s utility focus and relatively wide distribution during its production run. The ‘B’ designation and Norwegian manufacturing add modest historical interest I.
Cream-colored cardstock box with bright red paper label featuring decorative snowflake border (repeated asterisk motif) in black. Label text in heavy black letterpress: 'Key Brand' with skeleton key graphic (upper left), 'O. MUSTAD & SÖN' (line 1), 'MANUFACTURERS' (line 2), 'OSLO - NORWAY' (line 3), 'Qual. 3406 B' (line 4), 'Superior' (line 5), 'Mustad-O'Shaughnessy Hooks' (line 6), 'Forged' (line 7), 'Ringed Nickelplated' (line 8), 'Made in Norway' (lower right). Size marked as 'No. 1' or 'No. 4' in lower left with quantity '100'.
Full boxes in very good condition command premium pricing. Individual hooks or partial boxes significantly less valuable. Red label packaging adds 20-30% value over plain boxes.
eBay vintage tackle listings, tackle swap meets, estate sales of saltwater anglers
Store hooks in original packaging when possible, as the vintage red label adds significant collector value. Keep in a cool, dry environment to prevent corrosion of the nickelplated finish. While nickelplating offers good corrosion resistance, prolonged moisture exposure can cause pitting and discoloration. Avoid contact with dissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion. If hooks show early signs of corrosion, light polishing with fine compound can restore the finish, though this may reduce collector value.
Source: Original Mustad 3406 B packaging label, photographed specimen
The label text ‘Ringed Nickelplated’ confirms both the eye construction and finish treatment, while ‘Made in Norway’ emphasizes the Norwegian manufacturing origin during Mustad’s industrial dominance period. The ‘Superior’ designation on line 5 follows Mustad’s standardized labeling hierarchy, indicating premium point geometry rather than quality grade. The snowflake border pattern and letterpress printing are characteristic of Mustad’s mid-century packaging aesthetic, designed for global recognition in multiple markets.
| 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. |
Unnotated claims are the compiler’s synthesis; see 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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