The Allcocks S 220 “Model Perfect” is a classic 1X fine dry fly hook hailing from the historic tackle-manufacturing hub of Redditch, England. Produced during the Noris Shakespeare transition era of the late 1960s, these hooks feature a legendary, perfectly round bend and a tapered down eye that minimizes bulk on delicate midge patterns. Today, they remain highly valued by traditional fly tiers and vintage tackle collectors for their precision craftsmanship and historical significance in dry fly design.

Allcocks S220 – Additional Info

1. Identification

Brand: Allcocks (Noris Shakespeare Ltd.)
Model/Code: S 220
Size: 20
Estimated Era: Late 1960s to early 1970s. The presence of the “Noris Shakespeare Ltd.” name indicates this packaging was produced after the American tackle giant Shakespeare acquired Allcocks and merged it with the German company Noris in 1965.

2. Technical Specifications

Eye: Tapered Down Eye (T.D.E.)
Wire: 1X Fine
Shank/Bend: Model Perfect
Finish: “Rustproof” (Appears to be a specialized bronze/brown finish typical of high-end vintage dry fly hooks).

3. Historical Context

S. Allcock & Company, based in Redditch, England, was once considered the largest fishing tackle manufacturer in the world, tracing its roots back to 1832. Redditch was the historic global epicenter of needle and hook making. The “Model Perfect” bend is legendary in fly tying history; it features a perfectly symmetrical, round bend that was highly praised by dry fly purists for offering a wide, unencumbered gap relative to the shank length, resulting in excellent hooking properties.

Following the 1965 acquisition by Shakespeare, the Redditch factories slowly began to wind down, making these “Noris Shakespeare” transition-era packets a fascinating piece of late-stage Redditch manufacturing history. The factory is no longer in operation today.

Fun Fact: The “Model Perfect” style bend was famously championed by early Catskill dry fly tiers, as the perfectly round shape helped delicate, sparsely tied dry flies balance perfectly on the surface film without the hook bend acting as a distracting keel.

4. Usage & Equivalents

Best Used For: Extra-small, delicate dry flies such as midges, tricos, and tiny Blue Winged Olives (BWOs). The 1X fine wire ensures these tiny patterns float high on the water’s surface.
Modern Equivalent: Comparable to a Tiemco (TMC) 100 or a Daiichi 1100. For a strictly 1X Fine modern equivalent, the TMC 900BL (though barbless) or Mustad R30 offer similar wire profiles.

5. Technical Description

Metric	Imperial (inches)	Metric (mm)
Total Hook Length	0.32 in	8.13 mm
Hook Gap	0.11 in	2.79 mm
Hook Point Length	0.05 in	1.27 mm
Barb Length	0.015 in	0.38 mm
Shank-to-Gap Ratio	2.91	2.91

Technical Description:

This Size 20 hook features a meticulously formed Model Perfect bend, yielding a proportionate and wide gap for its micro-stature. The wire is drawn to a 1X Fine specification to reduce overall mass, aiding in dry fly buoyancy. The eye is a Tapered Down Eye (T.D.E.), where the wire diameter gradually reduces toward the eye loop to minimize bulk at the tie-in point, a premium feature on vintage dry fly hooks. The finish is a specialized rustproof bronzing designed to resist corrosion in damp fly boxes.

6. Collectability

Ranking: 6.5 / 10

Reasoning: Allcocks hooks are highly respected by vintage tackle collectors and traditional fly tiers. The classic “Model Perfect” bend is always in demand for tying historically accurate Catskill dries. However, this specific packet dates to the “Noris Shakespeare” era, which is slightly less sought-after than the pure, pre-buyout Allcocks packets featuring just the classic stag logo. Finding them in a complete pack of 100 in rust-free condition makes them moderately rare and highly usable.