Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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Mustad model 3260 B Aberdeen is a size 1 bait hook finished in gold plate with a straight ball eye, long 2X shank, and extra-fine wire. The Aberdeen bend shows the characteristic wide rounded profile, while the Superior point geometry features a near-straight inner taper that reduces point elasticity under sustained pressure. Extra-fine wire permits natural bait to move with minimal resistance, a trade-off accepted in light-tackle applications where delicate presentation outweighs structural strength. The combination of gold plating with extra-fine wire on a bait hook is uncommon and suggests either a specialty production run or a deliberate choice to extend corrosion resistance in fresh water applications during the 1960s–1970s window.
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Straight Ball Eye | Aberdeen | 2X Long | Extra-Fine Wire | Superior Point | Gold-plated / Gilt
The Superior point specification consists of a near-straight inner taper from the barb to the tip, producing a point with minimal hollowing or concavity. This geometry concentrates the cutting edge and reduces point elasticity, making the hook less prone to blunting under sustained pressure on hard mouths or through dense strike detection in live bait.
Extra-fine wire reduces the shank cross-section, permitting natural bait (worms, minnows, insects) to slide and move with minimal wire resistance. The trade-off is reduced structural capacity — fine wire should not be used in abrasive substrates or with very large or powerful species. The long 2X shank accommodates multiple segments of live bait or allows the angler to vary the hook position within the bait body without shortening shank length between knots.
The straight inline eye avoids the slight lateral torque introduced by turned-down or turned-up eyes, potentially reducing the rotation or binding of the leader material when the hook is under load. This is particularly valuable in light-tackle applications where tension should transmit directly through the leader rather than introducing torsional stress.
Known manufactured size range: 1–100 per box V
Physical measurement with calipers
This pattern was made in sizes 1–100 per box (V). We have measurement for size 1. Know the others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
O. Mustad & Son, founded in Gjevick, Norway in 1832, became one of the world’s largest industrial fishhook manufacturers. The Norwegian factory established a reputation for consistency and scale production in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following World War II, Mustad expanded its US operations, opening a distribution hub in Auburn, New York by the early 1950s.
The Auburn facility did not cast or forge hooks on-site but served as the primary US sales and warehouse operation for Mustad’s Norwegian production. Mustad’s ownership also included or partnered with several hook brands — among them Keytibrand, which appears to have been either a house sub-brand or a licensed trademark for certain product lines marketed through regional distributors. The Keytibrand mark on this packaging suggests a mid-20th-century marketing strategy to position Mustad hooks into specific retail channels.
The Aberdeen bend family is one of the oldest and most durable hook designs in fly and bait fishing, with origins in 19th-century Redditch production. Mustad began producing Aberdeen hooks in the mid-1800s and maintained continuous production lines into the modern era. Model 3260 B represents Mustad’s standard catalog Aberdeen — the “B” designation in Mustad nomenclature typically indicated the specific wire gauge and production variant within a bend family. This particular variant (extra-fine wire, gold-plated) may have been a specialty order or a targeted SKU for light-tackle retailers, as most bulk Aberdeen production used standard or heavy wire for durability in live-bait fishing.
No barcode visible on packaging — barcode adoption was not standard until ca. 1974, placing production before that threshold. Address format (Auburn, N.Y. 13021 ZIP code) typical of 1960s–1970s US mail format. Keytibrand house mark present, suggesting a period after Mustad established its US distributor network (ca. 1950s onward) but before major logo redesigns in the 1980s. Kraft box construction and offset/letterpress print quality consistent with 1960–1975 manufacturing. Absence of modern safety labeling or EPA/FDA regulatory text further supports mid-20th-century production.
Gold-plated fishing hooks are uncommon in the history of mass production. The cost of electroplating and the minimal performance benefit in fresh water made gold plating an exotic choice. Most Mustad gold-plated hooks appear in the 1960s–1980s in specialized catalogs, possibly marketed toward premium tackle retailers or as gift sets. The Auburn Mustad address on this box places it in the era when Mustad's US operation was establishing its catalog diversity — expanding beyond basic bronze and nickel finishes to serve high-end sporting goods shops and mail-order suppliers. A full box of 100 size-1 gold-plated Aberdeen suggests either a special order by a retailer with affluent customers or a limited production run intended to sample the market for luxury bait hooks.
The Aberdeen bend traces to English Redditch makers of the 1870s and represents an intermediate evolution between the round-bend and the more angular Sproat. The wide, gently curved bottom gives the Aberdeen its characteristic strength and moderate gap, making it suitable for both fly tying and bait work. Mustad’s adoption of the form in industrial production standardized the Aberdeen across generations of anglers.
By the mid-20th century, the Aberdeen occupied a middle ground in Mustad’s bait-hook catalog — larger and heavier than the O’Shaughnessy in most sizes, but lighter than the Limerick. Competitors including Partridge of Redditch, Allcock, and American makers continued to produce their own Aberdeen variants, but Mustad’s scale and distribution ensured that “Mustad Aberdeen” became the reference standard for many anglers.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3284 No. 2 — Aberdeen Hook | 94% | Compare | |
|
3284 D No. true — Mustad-Aberdeen Hooks | 92% | Compare | |
|
2627 R No. 1/0 — Aberdeen Spear Pointed | 85% | Compare | |
|
37255 No. true — Aberdeen Hooks | 85% | Compare | |
|
37363 No. 3 — Mustad 37363 Aberdeen | 85% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3266 No. 1, No. 2 — Aberdeen Hook | 99% | Compare |
|
CS7DB No. 7/0 — Dublin Bend Classic Salmon Iron | 99% | Compare |
|
3262 No. 5/0 — Mustad 3262 Aberdeen | 98% | Compare |
|
3429 No. 7/0 — Mustad 3429 | 98% | Compare |
|
37353 No. 1 — Mustad 37353 Aberdeen | 97% | Compare |
This gold-plated Aberdeen was intended for bait fishing — likely fresh water species including panfish, trout, and smaller pike. The long shank and extra-fine wire accommodate both live and dead bait presentation without excessive bulk. The straight inline eye permits direct leader attachment without lateral twist.
The long shank and delicate wire could support tail or streamer tying for light presentations, though no fly-tying association is evident from the packaging.
Not typically used for fly tying.
Rated 3.5/10 — Mustad Aberdeen hooks are abundant in most sizes and finishes, and size 1 is a standard production size. However, the gold-plated finish and extra-fine wire are uncommon variants, and an unopened manufacturer box of 100 hooks adds significant historical interest. The combination of rarity (gold plating) and the complete original packaging elevates collector appeal slightly, though demand remains modest among general hook collectors.
Positive factors: Complete original Mustad manufacturer box with intact label printing and legible model code. Specimen hooks are bright and corrosion-free. Gold-plated finish is an unusual choice for bait hooks and suggests either a specialty order or a limited production experiment. The Keytibrand sub-brand and mid-20th-century Auburn address add historical documentation value. No barcode confirms pre-1974 production in a narrow window (1960–1975).
Limiting factors: Mustad produced millions of Aberdeen hooks across decades — size 1 is a common production size. Basic bait hooks have limited demand among advanced collectors, who tend to favor specialty patterns, rare bend families, or named collaborator hooks. A box of 100 identical hooks offers less visual or design variety than a mixed lot. The gold plating, while unusual, does not enhance functional value for bait fishing and may not appeal broadly.
Variant significance: Size 1 with extra-fine wire is the scarce variant within this production line. Larger sizes (2, 4, 6) in the same series would be less collectible. Gold-plated finish likely commands a small premium over equivalent bronzed or nickelled stock from the same era. Complete sealed or unopened packaging is rare and would add 30–50% to value; this box has been opened but remains complete.
Rigid manufacturer box, kraft cardboard construction. Face label (blue field, black and white print) bears "MADE IN NORWAY" and "KEYTIBRAND" logo (crossed diamond motif) in upper corners. Center text: MUSTAD and "O. MUSTAD & SON (U.S.A.) INC. AUBURN, N.Y. 13021". Lower label field (beige/cream) with printed fields: "No. 3260 B | TYPE ABERDEEN | SIZE 1 | QTY 100". The "3260 B" is hand-printed or stamped in heavier type. Box shows age toning; lid appears intact but with light wear.
Low ($8): Good condition. Box opened, all 100 hooks present, minor packaging wear, hooks bright and complete.<br />
High ($18): Excellent condition. Box nearly sealed or sealed, all hooks present, minimal packaging wear, original label pristine.<br />
Premium factors: Original manufacturer box (vs. loose hooks); complete hook count; Keytibrand sub-brand documentation; gold-plated finish; mid-century Auburn distribution address; extra-fine wire variant; pre-barcode era appeal.<br />
Platforms: eBay (UK and US vintage tackle sections), occasional vintage fishing tackle dealers, specialist hook auctions.<br />
Confidence: E estimated. Limited comparable sales data for gold-plated Mustad bait hooks of this era and size. Estimate derived from typical box-lot valuations for complete Mustad boxes (ca. $10–20) adjusted downward for modest collector demand and upward for finish rarity. No direct eBay sold listings located for this specific model.
eBay — search terms "Mustad 3260", "Mustad Aberdeen gold", "vintage bait hooks Mustad". UK and US sections both regularly list Mustad boxes of similar era. Vintage tackle dealers specializing in mid-20th-century stock. Tackle auctions and estate sales in the US Northeast (given Auburn, N.Y. provenance). Fishing heritage museum gift shops occasionally carry similar surplus stock.
| 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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