Redditch, England | Highest Grade | Hand Forged | Short Shanks | Turn-Down-Eye | Fine Points | Reversed

Hook Reference

Edgar Sealey & Sons S 4324 S.S. – Additional Info

Based on the visual evidence from the packaging and the hooks themselves, here is the analysis of this vintage tackle.

1. Identification

• Brand: Edgar Sealey & Sons (Trade Mark: Octopus)
• Model/Code: S 4324 S.S. (The “S.S.” denotes Short Shank)
• Size: 10
• Location: Redditch, England
• Estimated Era: 1930s–1950s. The typography, the specific green paper label, and the “Sole Makers” phrasing are characteristic of the golden age of Redditch hook manufacturing before plastic packaging became standard in the late 1960s.

2. Technical Specifications

• Eye: Turn-down eye (T.D.E.)
• Wire: Medium-Heavy / Forged. The “Hand Forged” designation indicates the wire has been flattened at the bend to increase tensile strength without adding bulk.
• Shank/Bend: Short Shank, Wide Gape (Round/Sproat hybrid), Reversed (Offset).
  • Note: “Reversed” means the point is offset from the shank to increase the likelihood of catching flesh when the fish takes the hook.
• Finish: Bronzed.

3. Historical Context

Edgar Sealey & Sons was one of the titans of the Redditch hook industry, operating out of the “World’s Workshop” for fishing tackle. While they were famous for their rods (like the “Octofloat”), their “Octopus” brand hooks were considered highest-grade terminal tackle.

• The “Octopus” Brand: The logo featuring an octopus wrapped around a shield with a dollar sign-style ‘S’ is iconic. It was meant to symbolize the hook’s tenacity—once it grabs hold, it doesn’t let go, much like the cephalopod.
• Manufacturing: The “Hand Forged” text is significant. In this era, this meant skilled workers (often women in the Redditch factories) manually operated the drop stamps or presses to flatten the bend of the hook. This work hardened the metal, making it significantly stronger than round wire hooks of the same diameter.
• Status: Edgar Sealey & Sons is no longer in operation. The company was eventually absorbed into larger conglomerates (like the Gladding Group) in the late 20th century, and the Redditch hook industry largely moved to Asia (Mustad, Tiemco, etc.).

Fun Fact: In the mid-20th century, the “Short Shank” style wasn’t just for fly fishing; it was highly prized by “Course” anglers (bait fishermen) using soft baits like paste or bread, as the short shank allowed the bait to cover the hook completely while the wide gape ensured a good hookset.

4. Usage & Equivalents

Best Used For:

• Wet Flies & Spiders: The heavy wire and short shank make this an excellent hook for traditional soft-hackle wet flies (North Country Spiders) that need to sink quickly.
• Nymphs: Great for caddis pupa or patterns where you want a compact body but a strong hold.
• Egg Patterns: The short shank is ideal for Glo-bugs or single egg patterns.

Modern Equivalent: Finding an exact match for a vintage “Reversed” (offset) short shank is difficult, as many modern fly hooks are chemically sharpened and flat (not offset).

• Closest Match: Tiemco 3769 (Short Shank Wet/Nymph) or the Kamasan B175 (Heavy Traditional Wet), though the B175 has a standard length shank.
• For the shape: The Mustad 3399A is a classic wet fly hook that shares the down-eye and heavy wire DNA, though it lacks the offset point.
• For the “Reversed” feature: You would likely have to look at “Coarse” or “Carp” hooks today, such as the Drennan Super Spade, to find a short shank, forged, offset hook of similar strength.