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Edgar Sealey Model 1736.J Octopus, size 2, heavy-wire salmon hook. Heavy 1X gauge forged wire, round Kendal bend, standard spear point, turned-up looped eye. Black japanned (lacquered) finish.
Mid-20th-century British production — likely 1950s-1960s — characterized by the absence of a barcode and offset-printed label design. One hundred loose hooks per box, packaged in kraft cardboard. The 1X heavy gauge and Octopus model name are consistent with Edgar Sealey’s salmon fly tradition, representing the Redditch craft era before industrial consolidation.
Collectibility limited by availability of Edgar Sealey stock and modest specialist demand. Size 2 is not scarce but appealing to fly tyers interested in historical British salmon patterns and to collectors documenting pre-Mustad Redditch manufacturers.
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Turned Up Looped Eye | Round / Kendal | Standard | Heavy (1X Heavy) Wire | Standard / Spear Point | Black Japanned
The round Kendal bend is a gentle, symmetrical curve suitable for large wet fly dressings. The standard spear point (near-straight inner face, angled outer edge) delivers a direct penetration geometry common to British salmon hooks of the period. Heavy wire (1X gauge) provides the strength required for large sea trout and salmon flies while permitting secure thread wraps and robust material applications typical of fur-body construction.
Forged wire is worked under heat to shape the bend and point in a single forming operation, creating structural consolidation at the bend apex and reducing the risk of fracture under load. The looped eye, turned up, positions the tying plane above the shank, allowing full material clearance at the hook front — a practical necessity for bulky salmon fly patterns.
Known manufactured size range: 2-16 I
Physical measurement with calipers
This pattern was made in sizes 2-16 (I). We have measurement for size 2. Know the others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
Edgar Sealey & Sons operated in Redditch, England, from the early 20th century through the 1960s, representing the craft-era tradition of English hook manufacturing. The company was known for quality forged salmon, sea trout, and general fishing hooks sold principally to British tackle shops and fly tyers. Like many Redditch concerns, Sealey competed primarily on reputation and hook geometry rather than on price.
In the 1960s, Sealey was acquired by O. Mustad & Son, the Norwegian industrial conglomerate, bringing Sealey’s pattern library and dies into the Mustad portfolio. Mustad continued production of select Sealey models under the Edgar Sealey brand name for several years before consolidation. The 1736.J Octopus is one of several Sealey hooks that appeared in Mustad’s expanded British catalog after the acquisition.
The Octopus model was a general-purpose wet fly and soft-bait hook available from Edgar Sealey in multiple wire gauges and finishes. The 1736 series (numbered designation with “.J” for japanned) represented the standard Octopus in heavy wire — a professional choice for large sea trout and salmon dressings. The hook was offered in sizes typically ranging from 2 to 16, though not all combinations were kept in continuous stock.
Sealey marketed the Octopus as part of a broader wet fly and salmon line, competing directly with Allcock and Partridge products of similar era. After Mustad’s acquisition, the 1736.J continued in production under the Mustad-Edgar Sealey label but with gradually reduced prominence as Mustad consolidated its own standard models. By the late 1970s, dedicated Sealey product lines were phased out.
No barcode visible on box (barcode adoption began circa 1974, so pre-barcode = pre-1974). Printed label uses offset lithography typical of mid-20th-century British manufacturing. Typeface and label design consistent with 1950s-1960s packaging conventions. "QTY. 100" format is typical British industrial labeling of the 1950s-1970s. Edgar Sealey was a Redditch concern active through the 1960s before acquisition by Mustad. No price marked (common for wholesale/bulk packaging in this era). Dating narrowed to 1950-1970 based on manufacturing era and typical Edgar Sealey catalog periods.
Edgar Sealey & Sons was one of more than a dozen independent hook manufacturers operating in Redditch during the early 20th century. By the 1960s, the rise of industrial mass production and imported competition forced consolidation. Mustad's acquisition of Sealey's tooling and catalog in the early 1960s preserved the patterns but ended Sealey as an independent concern. The 1736.J Octopus survived this transition, appearing in Mustad's expanded British product line, but is now recognized more as a historical artifact of Redditch than as an active modern pattern. This hook documents a moment when craft-era British manufacturing gave way to industrial standardization.
The round Kendal bend descends from 19th-century Redditch craft traditions and represents a middle ground between the aggressive curves of the Sproat and the wider sweeps of the Aberdeen. By the 1950s, the Kendal was standard issue in British salmon and sea trout fly lines. Edgar Sealey’s iteration reflects the manufacturing conventions of mid-century Redditch: a no-nonsense, heavily forged wire for professional tyers and tackle shops.
The Octopus model name (referenced in Sealey catalogs as a soft-bait and wet fly hook) was also produced by other Redditch makers and later became a Mustad standard after Mustad acquired Sealey’s patterns and dies. The 1736.J designation is Sealey’s internal model code; the “.J” suffix typically denotes a japanned finish variant within their product matrix.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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M No. 4/0 (V) — Single Salmon | 81% | Compare | |
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S 1937 — Edgar S 1937 | 76% | Compare | |
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3718 No. 4 — Herter's No. 3718 Salmon Fly Hook | 76% | Compare | |
| 77830 — Mustad-Round Hooks | 75% | Compare | ||
| 77880 — Mustad-Round Hooks | 72% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
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7029RK No. 12 — Gaelic Supreme Hump Shank | 100% | Compare |
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31363 No. 10 — Mustad-Crystal Hook | 100% | Compare |
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4195 No. 11 — Mustad 4195 Kendal Kirby | 100% | Compare |
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9177 No. 4/0 — Mustad 9177 | 100% | Compare |
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S80-3906 — Nymph Sproat | 100% | Compare |
Heavy wire salmon and sea trout hook designed for large wet flies and bait patterns. The round Kendal bend and standard spear point are typical of mid-20th-century British sea trout fishing traditions. The 1X heavy wire gauge accommodated bulky fur bodies and robust tying practices.
Rated 4.0/10 — uncommon but not rare. Available in modest quantity due to industrial production volumes, yet size 2 is less frequently encountered than larger sizes. Collector demand is moderate, centered on British salmon fly tradition specialists and Edgar Sealey documentation. Value driven by historical significance of pre-Mustad Redditch manufacturing and appeal of complete original packaging.
Positive factors: Pre-Mustad era Edgar Sealey (acquisition c. 1963-1965) carries collector interest in British hook history and Redditch craft traditions. Complete original box (100-hook quantity) is a significant find — most surviving specimens are loose or in partial lots. Model designation and printing detail the company’s internal product matrix. Heavy wire and salmon application appeal to fly tyers interested in vintage large wet fly construction.
Limiting factors: Edgar Sealey hooks are not as prominently collected as Allcock or Partridge. Industrial production volumes mean loose hooks in any size are not genuinely scarce. Post-acquisition Mustad continued the model, complicating attribution for collectors unfamiliar with the Sealey-specific model codes. No named designer or attributed collaboration increases collecting interest. Size 2 is appropriate for salmon work but not the “classic” mid-range sizes (6-10) that generate higher demand.
Size and condition premium: Complete boxes with original packaging command 3-5x the value of loose examples. Sizes 6-8 in good packaging would likely rate 4.5-5.0. Size 2 in any quantity is a professional lot rather than a collector’s accent piece. Condition of the box label and integrity of the hook count (all 100 present) are critical to valuation.
Loose hooks in cardboard box. Box lid features printed header label with model code 1736.J, size designation "SIZE 2", and quantity "QTY. 100" in bold sans-serif type. Edgar Sealey logo (stylized "S" within a circle) centered on box front. Printed text reads "Edgar Sealey" and "OCTOPUS" in large sans-serif. Box construction is paperboard with kraft interior. Label stock is white kraft paper, offset printed in black and dark grey. No barcode visible. Price is not marked. Box shows light ageing and minor storage wear.
Low ($8): Good condition — loose hooks, box present but worn, all or near-complete count<br />
High ($18): Excellent condition — box intact with crisp label, all 100 hooks present and bright<br />
Premium factors: Original box with label, complete 100-hook count, japanned finish uniformity, pre-Mustad Edgar Sealey provenance, size 2 (less common than 6-8)<br />
Platforms: eBay UK (occasional listings), specialist British tackle forums, regional tackle fairs<br />
Confidence: E estimated — limited comparable sales data; based on typical Edgar Sealey bulk box valuations and Redditch salmon hook market
Edgar Sealey hooks appear sporadically on eBay UK, typically in bulk lots mixed with other Redditch makers. Complete original boxes are rare; most sales feature loose hooks in quantities of 10-50. Specialist British tackle dealers and regional fly tying forums occasionally carry stock. Tackle auctions in the Midlands (Redditch area) and South East England are the best consistent source.
| 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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