Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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Edgar Sealey & Sons of Redditch produced this S 1056 ‘Snecky Limerick’ in their traditional English hook-making facility. The model demonstrates the company’s attempt to blend two classic bend geometries — the angular sneck corner with the sweeping limerick form — creating a hybrid design for specialized angling applications. The hook features a turned-down ball eye and bronzed finish typical of quality English production.
Dating to approximately 1920–1960 based on the packaging format and labeling conventions, this hook represents Redditch’s golden era of hook manufacturing. The ‘Long May’s Turn-down-eyes’ designation suggests optimization for mayfly patterns, while the hybrid bend geometry offered anglers a compromise between the hooking efficiency of a sneck and the wide gap of a limerick.
From a collecting perspective, Edgar Sealey hooks occupy a middle tier of desirability — more sought after than mass-market imports but less prestigious than Partridge or Allcock products from the same era. The intact original packaging with its characteristic octopus logo adds considerable value to this example.
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Turned-Down Ball Eye | Sneck-Limerick Hybrid | Long 2X Shank | Standard Wire | Superior Point | Bronzed
The S 1056 represents Edgar Sealey’s engineering response to anglers seeking characteristics of both sneck and limerick bends. The angular corner entry typical of sneck hooks provides positive hook-setting mechanics, while the sweeping lower curve borrowed from limerick geometry opens the gap for better hook-hold on larger fish. The 2X long shank accommodates extended-body mayfly patterns as suggested by the ‘Long May’s’ designation.
The superior point — with its nearly straight inner taper — offers excellent penetration through tough mouth tissues. Combined with the kirbed offset, this creates multiple contact points during the fight, reducing the likelihood of hook pulls. The standard wire gauge provides adequate strength without excessive weight, important for dry fly presentation where the ‘Long May’s’ designation suggests primary application.
Physical measurement with calipers
We have measurement for size No. 9. Know any others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
Edgar Sealey & Sons operated as part of Redditch’s renowned hook-making district, which by the early 20th century produced the majority of the world’s fishing hooks. The company distinguished itself through specialized patterns and maintained traditional hand-finishing techniques alongside mechanized production. Their octopus trademark became a recognized symbol of English hook quality.
Operating from the Victorian era through the mid-20th century, Edgar Sealey competed with larger firms like Allcock and Partridge by focusing on specialized patterns for discerning anglers. The company’s ‘Extra Quality’ designation indicated hooks that received additional inspection and hand-finishing touches. Production ceased as Redditch’s hook industry consolidated in the 1960s–1970s.
No barcode present P — consistent with pre-1974 production. Packaging shows traditional paper label on folded paper stock P — typical of pre-1960s English manufacture. 'REDDITCH' spelled out in full rather than abbreviated P — more common in earlier production. Decorative border pattern and typography style P consistent with 1920s–1950s English packaging design. Overall condition and aging patterns P support mid-20th century dating.
The 'Snecky Limerick' name represents one of the more unusual hybrid designations in hook nomenclature, attempting to merge two bend styles that originated in different centuries and different fishing traditions — the sneck from Yorkshire coarse fishing and the limerick from Irish salmon angling.
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| 3349 No. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 — Mustad-Sneck 3349 | 78% | Compare | ||
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3351 No. true — Sneck Hooks | 77% | Compare | |
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33960 No. 2 — Mustad 33960 Sproat | 77% | Compare | |
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5621-Br No. 4 — Pflueger Sneck | 71% | Compare | |
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31867 No. 6/0 — Carlisle Hook | 68% | Compare |
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3498 D No. true — Pacific Bass Hooks | 98% | Compare |
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79578 No. 6 — Mustad 79578 | 97% | Compare |
|
92621 No. Size 10 (documented on eBay listing); packaging indicates Size 2 or 1 — Mustad 92621 | 97% | Compare |
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3284 B No. 10 — Aberdeen Hook | 96% | Compare |
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92620 No. 10 — Mustad 92620 Beak Hook | 96% | Compare |
The ‘Long May’s Turn-down-eyes’ designation clearly indicates this hook’s primary purpose: extended-body mayfly patterns. The 2X long shank accommodates the elongated bodies of mayfly duns and spinners, while the turned-down eye facilitates proper dry fly leader attachment. The size 9 would be appropriate for larger mayfly species like Green Drakes (Ephemera danica) common on English rivers.
The hybrid sneck-limerick bend suggests optimization for the unique challenges of mayfly fishing — quick hook-sets on subtle takes (sneck characteristic) combined with secure holding power during spirited fights (limerick characteristic). The bronze finish, while adding weight, provided corrosion resistance for hooks that might see repeated wetting and drying cycles typical of dry fly use.
Wet fly patterns requiring extended bodies, emerger patterns, small streamers
Mayfly Dun, Spent Spinner, Grey Wulff (on larger sizes), Greenwell's Glory (extended body variant)
Original packaging with intact label and interesting hybrid bend designation elevate this above common vintage hooks, though Edgar Sealey lacks the prestige of top-tier Redditch makers.
Positive factors include the complete original packaging with legible labeling, the unusual ‘Snecky Limerick’ designation that represents a specific moment in hook design evolution, and the Edgar Sealey provenance from Redditch’s golden era. The octopus logo remains clearly visible, adding to display appeal. The hook’s intended application for mayfly patterns connects it to the rich tradition of English chalk stream fishing.
Limiting factors include Edgar Sealey’s middle-tier status among Redditch manufacturers — the company never achieved the prestige of Partridge or Allcock. The heavy aging and damage to the packaging, while adding character, reduces condition grade. The bronze finish shows significant patina and possible corrosion. Size 9 is neither particularly small nor large, limiting special interest. The hybrid bend design, while interesting historically, never became a mainstream pattern.
Folded paper packet approximately 2" × 2.5", cream-colored stock with single pasted label. Label features decorative border with repeating pattern, octopus logo in shield device marked 'OCTOPUS BRAND REDDITCH', blue-green printing on light background. Text includes 'EDGAR SEALEY & SONS', 'REDDITCH', 'S 1056. Extra Quality', 'SNECKY LIMERICK', 'Long MAY's Turn-down-eyes', '100 No. 9'. Packet shows significant age wear, staining, tears, and creasing. No evidence of wax coating.
Value driven by intact packaging and Redditch provenance. Premium examples with mint packaging might reach $50–60. Individual hooks without packaging worth $0.50–2.00 each.
UK auction sites, specialist tackle fairs, estate sales in England, vintage tackle dealers specializing in British items
Edgar Sealey hooks can be identified by several construction details: the eye formation typically shows very consistent, machine-made quality with neat wire returns. The bronze finish tends toward a deeper, redder tone than Mustad bronzing. The point and barb cutting shows the precision of Redditch manufacture.
The sneck-limerick hybrid bend is distinctive — look for the angular corner entry of a sneck that transitions into a sweeping curve rather than continuing straight. This differs from a pure sneck (which maintains straight sides) or pure limerick (which curves continuously from the eye). Beware of similar Hardy hooks which might share the long shank but typically show different eye construction.
| 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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