Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Edgar Sealey & Sons S 3008 is a specialized wet fly and sea trout hook manufactured at Brockhill Works in Redditch, England. The model features the company’s distinctive ‘Best Hollow Point’ design combined with a sproat bend and turned-down tapered eye configuration.
The green salescard with the Octopus trademark and telephone number ‘REDDITCH 148’ indicates production during the 1920s-1960s era, before the introduction of STD telephone codes. The ‘BRONZED RUSTPROOF Quality Guaranteed’ label printed in orange confirms the finish type and marketing emphasis on durability. P
This model demonstrates Edgar Sealey’s engineering approach to wet fly hooks. The hollow point design creates a concave inner face (knife-edge effect) intended to improve penetration, while the sproat bend provides excellent hooking geometry with a wide gap relative to shank length. The graduated size range shown on the salescard (No. 100) illustrates the systematic approach to hook manufacturing during this period. P
Complete salescard specimens with all 12 hooks present represent solid collector interest among Redditch hook enthusiasts and specialist fly tyers seeking period-correct materials for traditional patterns.
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Sproat Bend | Turned-Down Tapered Eye | Standard Shank | Bronzed Finish
The hollow point design is engineered with a concave inner face that creates a knife-edge effect at the point. This geometry distributes the penetrating force over a narrower surface area compared to a standard spear point, requiring less barb pressure to achieve hook set. This was particularly valued in wet fly fishing where quick, clean penetration was essential and where light tippets could not withstand heavy strike forces.
The sproat bend provides a wide gap relative to shank length, giving the fly excellent hooking geometry while maintaining a slim silhouette in the water. The turned-down tapered eye (no ball) allows the leader or tippet to seat directly against the eye, improving knot strength and reducing leverage points during the fight.
The round wire profile and standard gauge provide adequate strength for wet fly applications while maintaining the slender profile valued for delicate presentations. The bronzed finish offers corrosion resistance in freshwater and light saltwater environments.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
This entry represents one of the few well-documented Edgar Sealey hooks in the garrenwood.com catalog. The S 3008 is among the larger sample sizes documented for Octopus-branded hooks and provides strong packaging provenance for era dating of pre-1958 telephone-code era English hooks.
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Edgar Sealey & Sons operated from Brockhill Works in Redditch, the historic center of English hook manufacturing during the 19th and 20th centuries. The company was one of several prominent hook makers in the town, alongside established firms like S. Allcock & Co., Bartleet, and H. Milward & Sons. V
The Octopus trademark, with its distinctive circular seal bearing the manufacturer’s name and mark, became a recognized symbol of quality in the British fishing tackle trade. This distinctive branding appears consistently on Edgar Sealey packaging from the 1920s through the post-war period. (P/I)
The company specialized in both freshwater and saltwater hooks, with particular expertise in hollow point designs that offered superior penetration characteristics. The emphasis on ‘Hand Made & Tested’ quality and the ‘Best’ designation in their product names reflects the proud craftsman tradition of Redditch hook manufacturing. P
Like many smaller Redditch manufacturers, Edgar Sealey’s operations were impacted by industrial consolidation and the post-war decline of Redditch as a manufacturing center. The company’s production had ceased by the 1970s, with surviving stock gradually distributed through tackleshop inventory. S
The S 3008 appears to be a standalone model within Edgar Sealey’s catalog rather than part of a numbered series progression. The ‘S’ prefix likely denotes the Sealey brand designation, while the four-digit number follows a sequential model-numbering convention common among English hook makers of the period. I
The ‘Best Hollow Point’ designation on the packaging indicates this model belongs to Edgar Sealey’s premium line, emphasizing the engineering of the point geometry as a differentiating feature. No successor models or variants have been documented in surviving catalogs or on period packaging. S
Telephone format 'REDDITCH 148' — pre-STD code era. STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialing) codes were introduced in the UK in phases from 1958 to 1968. The absence of a four-digit numeric prefix before the exchange number indicates manufacture before this transition, narrowing the window to pre-1958 or very early 1958. The green salescard format with bordered design and offset printing is consistent with 1920s-1960s British packaging conventions. The serif typography, the 'Quality No.' header style, and the absence of barcode (not introduced until 1974 in UK retail) all support a mid-to-early 20th century production window. The telegraph address format (longer and more formal than later telephone listings) suggests mid-20th century or earlier. The cream-colored paper stock and offset letterpress printing technique are consistent with inter-war to 1950s production methods. Integration of evidence points to the 1920s-1960s window, with the telephone code being the strongest single indicator pointing toward pre-1958.
The Octopus trademark seen on Edgar Sealey hooks is one of the most visually distinctive manufacturer seals in vintage British fishing tackle. The stylized octopus image reflected the Victorian and Edwardian era's fascination with marine imagery and the symbolic association of the octopus with intelligence, adaptability, and hidden strength—qualities fishermen valued in their tools. The Sealey family maintained this trademark consistently across all product lines from the early 1900s onward, making it one of the most recognizable symbols in Redditch hook collecting today. For modern collectors, spotting that distinctive octopus seal instantly signals a genuine Edgar Sealey product from the golden age of English hook manufacturing.
The sproat bend itself was developed in the late 19th century and became one of the three foundational bend families in English hook manufacturing (alongside the Limerick and Aberdeen). By the early 20th century, the sproat was established as the standard bend for wet fly fishing, particularly in Scottish and English traditions. (S/I)
The hollow point design represents a later refinement to the sproat pattern, developed to address the need for improved penetration in wet fly fishing without increasing wire gauge or point thickness. This innovation was common among premium English manufacturers including Allcock, Partridge of Redditch, and Edgar Sealey during the 1920s-1960s period. I
The S 3008 does not appear to have direct predecessors or successors within documented Edgar Sealey catalogs. Its design influenced later Japanese (Kamasan) and Norwegian (Mustad) wet fly hooks that incorporated similar sproat bends and hollow point characteristics in modern production. The model likely remained in production until Edgar Sealey ceased manufacturing in the 1970s. S
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6812 No. true — Best Hollow Point | 96% | Compare | |
| S 4324 No. 100 No. (quantity per package) — Edgar Sealey S 4324 | 86% | Compare | ||
| 3891 No. 1 — Mustad 3891 Sproat | 86% | Compare | ||
|
3908 A No. 2 — Mustad 3908 A | 82% | Compare | |
|
39848 No. 8 — Kendal Round Hook | 82% | Compare |
The S 3008 was designed as a wet fly hook for freshwater and light saltwater applications, particularly sea trout fishing in British waters. The sproat bend provides a wide gap with excellent leverage during the fight, while the hollow point reduces the force required for penetration—a valued characteristic when fishing small delicate flies or using light tippets. The turned-down eye allows for improved knot seating and was standard for wet fly applications during this era. (P/I)
The size No. 100 format (a non-standard British sizing convention) positions this as a small to medium wet fly hook, suitable for mid-sized patterns.
salmon, trout, grilse
Not typically documented in surviving pattern collections specific to this model code, though contemporary wet fly standards such as Partridge and Orange, Greenwell's Glory, and Black and Peacock would have been standard patterns on Sproat hooks of this era.
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 3906B | Good | Similar sproat bend and bronze finish, but standard point rather than hollow; modern industrial production vs. vintage hand-made construction |
| Kamasan B170 | Moderate | Traditional wet fly sproat pattern, Japanese production; lacks hollow point feature but comparable bend geometry |
| Partridge GRS14ST | Good | Modern sproat bend, British maker, similar application and bend profile, though contemporary production differs from vintage Sealey techniques |
Rated 5.0/10 — Uncommon. The S 3008 is infrequently encountered but actively sought by specialist collectors of Redditch hooks and English wet fly tackle. The complete 12-hook salescard with excellent packaging preservation commands real collector premium ($25-45 range for good-to-excellent examples), but loose hooks or damaged packaging substantially reduce value. Demand is moderate to strong among fly tyers seeking period-correct materials and hook historians focused on English manufacturing traditions.
Positive Factors: The distinctive Octopus trademark appeals to Redditch hook specialists and British tackle collectors. The bright green salescard color is uncommon and visually distinctive compared to standard buff or cream cards, adding appeal to display collectors. The ‘Best Hollow Point’ designation and quality assurances (‘Hand Made & Tested,’ ‘BRONZED RUSTPROOF’) reflect authentic period marketing of engineered quality. The pre-1958 telephone code dating provides strong provenance and historical positioning. The sproat bend and hollow point design are valued by traditional fly tyers seeking authentic materials for classic Scottish and English patterns. Complete 12-hook cards in excellent condition with original tissue or wrapper represent premium specimens.
Limiting Factors: Edgar Sealey hooks lack the market recognition of Mustad, Partridge, or Allcock brands, which limits mainstream collector demand. The generic ‘No. 100’ sizing designation (rather than contemporary British hook sizes like No. 2, 4, 6) is non-standard and may confuse modern collectors unfamiliar with Edgar Sealey’s sizing system. Production volumes were smaller than industrial manufacturers, but surviving stock is still reasonably common enough that scarcity is not the primary value driver. Missing hooks on the card (even one or two) substantially devalue the specimen. Packaging condition is critical—faded or damaged cards see steep value reductions. The bronzed finish can develop heavy patina or verdigris in humid storage, requiring active preservation.
Most Desirable Variants: Complete 12-hook salescard with mint or excellent packaging condition. Green label color (rarer than cream-stock variants, if such exist). Cards with sealed or intact original tissue wrap. Sizes at the extremes of the range are slightly more collectible than middle sizes. Cards with printed price markings in period currency (shillings and pence) add provenance documentation.
Condition Premium Factors: Sealed or effectively sealed packaging with minimal disturbance commands maximum premium. All 12 hooks present and unbent. Packaging printing fully legible and unfaded. No moisture damage, staining, or insect damage. Original tissue or wrapper intact. Cards stored flat without creasing or bending of the substrate. Hooks showing natural patina without heavy corrosion or verdigris are preferred.
Sales card format, approximately 4.5" × 6.5" (114 × 165 mm), printed on cream stock with bright green label header. The label displays the Octopus trademark at upper left within a circular seal. The card header reads 'QUALITY No.' followed by the manufacturer name 'EDGAR SEALEY & SONS' in serif capitals, location 'REDDITCH, Eng.', model code 'S 3008', and the product description 'Best Hollow Point SPROAT Turn-down-eye.' The card continues '100 No.' (indicating quantity and size designation). The upper and lower borders feature 15 rows of small circular holes, creating a decorative perforated frame typical of inter-war English hook packaging. The left and right edges show parallel decorative lines. The reverse side contains manufacturer information: 'MANUFACTURED BY / EDGAR SEALEY & SONS, / Brockhill Works, / REDDITCH, ENGLAND.' with contact information 'Telephone: REDDITCH 148.' and 'Telegrams: SEALEY, BROCKHILL WORKS, REDDITCH.' At the lower center is a printed Octopus seal (identical to the label header seal) with the caption '(See this Mark - on every Packet.)' flanked by the descriptive text 'HIGH CLASS QUALITY 'HAND MADE & TESTED'' and 'SALMON, GRILSE, TROUT AND BAIT HOOKS.' At the lower right corner is an orange/red rectangular label reading 'BRONZED RUSTPROOF Quality Guaranteed. Made in REDDITCH, England.' The card contains 12 hooks held in place by punched holes in horizontal rows. No barcode. P
Low ($25): Good condition, opened card, complete or near-complete hook count (10-11 of 12 present), light packaging wear, fully legible, natural patina on hooks.<br />
High ($45): Excellent condition, sealed or near-sealed card, all 12 hooks present and unbent, minimal packaging wear, printing sharp, original tissue intact if present.<br />
Premium factors: Intact original packaging, all hooks present, bright green label (distinctive color), pre-1958 telephone code dating, complete sets preferred by display collectors.<br />
Platforms: eBay UK and US, specialist tackle forums, UK tool and tackle fairs, occasional online auctions focused on fishing antiques.<br />
Confidence: E estimated from limited comparable sales data; Edgar Sealey hooks less frequently tracked than Mustad, Partridge, or Allcock; estimate based on regional UK dealer pricing, eBay UK sold listings averaging $22-48 for complete cards, and specialist collector feedback indicating strong interest in Redditch makers.
eBay UK and US (search 'Edgar Sealey hooks' or 'Octopus hooks'), UK fishing tackle specialist dealers (regional advertising through angling press), fishing memorabilia fairs in the Midlands and South of England, occasional country house auctions with fishing estate lots, specialized online forums devoted to vintage tackle (e.g., vintage fishing forums).
Confirm the model code ‘S 3008’ printed on the green label in large sans-serif typeface. Verify the Octopus trademark circular seal with the company name and ‘S’ mark. Check for the telephone number ‘REDDITCH 148’ which appears on the card header and confirms pre-1958 manufacture. Inspect the salescard color—the distinctive green stock is characteristic of Edgar Sealey packaging and less common than standard buff or cream cards. All 12 hooks should be present and intact for complete value. The orange/red-printed ‘BRONZED RUSTPROOF Quality Guaranteed’ label on the lower right corner is a consistent feature of authentic Edgar Sealey cards. P
Store the salescard in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and moisture. The bronzed finish is susceptible to patina development and verdigris formation in humid conditions; moderate surface patina is characteristic and valued by collectors, but heavy corrosion indicates excessive moisture exposure.
Original packaging adds significant value—store hooks on the card rather than removing them to loose storage. The cream and green paper stock is vulnerable to acid deterioration and insect damage; avoid contact with newspaper, cardboard boxes, or other acidic materials. Acid-free tissue paper or mylar sleeves provide additional protection if further enclosure is desired.
Avoid contact with other metals to prevent galvanic corrosion, particularly copper, brass, or ferrous metals that can accelerate oxidation. Temperature fluctuations and condensation are enemies of vintage finishes; maintain stable conditions between 50-70°F (10-21°C) with relative humidity 35-50%.
Inspect periodically for signs of moisture ingress, insect activity, or mold growth. Do not attempt to clean or polish the bronzed finish aggressively; gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush is sufficient. If verdigris or heavy corrosion develops, consult a conservation specialist before attempting removal, as aggressive cleaning can damage the underlying wire and remove historically valuable patina.
Source: Edgar Sealey & Sons S 3008 salescard label and reverse, c. 1920-1960
The packaging makes specific engineering and quality claims that merit analysis: ‘Best Hollow Point’ — This designation emphasizes the point geometry as a key design differentiator, reflecting the manufacturer’s confidence in the penetration advantages of the hollow point design. The word ‘Best’ suggests competition with other hollow point offerings in the market (including other Redditch makers) and signals premium positioning.
‘BRONZED RUSTPROOF Quality Guaranteed’ — The coupling of ‘BRONZED’ and ‘RUSTPROOF’ indicates that the manufacturer was specifically marketing corrosion resistance as a benefit, suggesting that rust and corrosion were recognized failure modes of hook fishing tools during this era. The ‘Quality Guaranteed’ statement reflects typical inter-war marketing language asserting manufacturer warranty or satisfaction promise—a common reassurance for mail-order merchandise.
‘HIGH CLASS QUALITY ‘HAND MADE & TESTED” — This phrase, printed on the reverse, emphasizes individual craftsmanship and quality control (‘tested’) as differentiators. During the 1920s-1960s era, ‘hand made’ was a genuine marketing claim—these hooks were indeed individually crafted and inspected, in contrast to purely machine-made competitors. The quotation marks around ‘Hand Made & Tested’ suggest this may have been a registered or trademarked slogan specific to Edgar Sealey products.
‘SALMON, GRILSE, TROUT AND BAIT HOOKS’ — This categorization defines the intended applications across multiple species and fishing methods, positioning the S 3008 within a broad product family rather than as a specialized pattern. The listing of ‘GRILSE’ (young salmon) indicates targeting of migratory salmonid fisheries in British waters.
The ‘QUALITY No.’ header (rather than ‘Size No.’ or model designation alone) suggests that Edgar Sealey’s numbering system emphasized quality tier or grade, not just size, further reinforcing the quality-premium positioning of this model.
The specimen documented does not exhibit visible handwritten marks, annotations, or price notations on the salescard. The card shows only printed text and decorative elements in black ink on the green label and cream card stock. No pencil marks, pen notations, or pricing stamps (in pounds, shillings, or pence) are visible in the photographs.
This absence of handwritten marks, while common in well-preserved stock cards, provides some indication of careful handling and storage without active commercial markup or dealer annotation. Cards that show pencil pricing, dealer marks, or customer notes often command slightly lower premiums due to the visual evidence of prior commercial handling, though such marks also provide historical context for the specimen.
| 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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