Model 95133 hook silhouette

Mustad 95133

Model 95133c. 1960-1970
Straight / Inline Ball EyeRound / KendalShort (1X–2X Short) ShankTinned

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Record summary

Mustad Model 95133, size 6/0, is a large saltwater and bait hook with a short shank, wide gap, and barbless design. The round/Kendal bend with tinned (bright silver) finish and straight-inline ball eye is typical of Mustad’s post-war commercial bait-fishing hooks.

Manufactured by O. Mustad & Son (U.S.A.) Inc. in Auburn, New York, as stamped on the original box lid. The absence of a barcode, handwritten size notation, and cream-and-yellow box design all point to production in the early-to-mid 1960s.

The barbless point is noteworthy—most vintage hooks of this era retain barbs. Barbless options appeared in Mustad catalogs as specialty items for catch-and-release practices, though the practice was not yet mainstream. This specimen represents an early commercial offering in that category.

Mustad 95133 — hook profile showing round/Kendal bend and straight ball eye — size 6/0 — tinned finish
Side profile of the Mustad 95133 showing the symmetrical round/Kendal bend and straight-inline ball eye, tinned finish, size 6/0, on measurement grid.

Photographic record

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4 images shown

Mustad 95133 Size 6/0 — Profile View Side profile of the Mustad 95133 showing the symmetrical round/Kendal bend and straight-inline ball eye, tinned finish, size 6/0, on measurement grid. Open original
Mustad 95133 Size 6/0 — Shank Detail Side view of the shank showing wire gauge, point taper geometry, and barb-free design, size 6/0, on measurement grid. Open original
Mustad 95133 Size 6/0 — Overhead View Overhead view of the Mustad 95133 showing the bend symmetry, gap width, and straight-inline ball eye orientation, size 6/0, on measurement grid. Open original
Mustad 95133 Original Box Label — 1960s Front label of the original Mustad manufacturer box showing "O. MUSTAD & SON (U.S.A.) INC., AUBURN, N.Y. 13021" and handwritten size designation "6/0" — evidence of 1960s production. Open original

Technical profile

Straight / Inline Ball Eye | Round / Kendal | Short (1X–2X Short) | Tinned | Barbless

Eye
Ball Eye, Straight / Inline Ball eye is uniformly formed with clean diameter, typical of Mustad's mass-production standards for this period P. Inline (straight) orientation is set for saltwater and bait applications where a more direct pull is preferred over turned-down (fly) rigging.
Wire
Standard, Round
Shank
Short (1X–2X Short) — Plain
Bend
Round / Kendal, Wide gap Round/Kendal bend is symmetrically formed with moderate radius, neither deeply arced nor shallow P. The bend profile is consistent with designs intended for live or chunk bait presentation in saltwater environments. No kink or unusual set visible P.
Point
Other Barbless design confirmed—the point tapers without a mechanical barb retaining feature P. The geometry of the barb-free point is not beveled or chemically altered; it is a straightforward tapering wire point. This is a manufacturing specification, not an angler modification V.
Finish
Tinned — Confirmed (stated on packaging) Tinned finish appears as bright silver-grey in photograph with moderate reflectivity P. Coating is relatively uniform across the shank and bend; slight darkening visible where the point emerges, consistent with age and handling rather than manufacturing defect P. No corrosion or verdigris observed.
Hook in overall very good condition. Tinned finish is bright with no corrosion or patina. The original rigid manufacturer box shows moderate toning on the cream stock and yellowing of the printed yellow band, consistent with 1960s age and storage in dry conditions. No evidence of moisture damage or insect activity. Box lid hinge is intact; closure is still functional. The specimen hook is unbent and free of defects.

Size & scale lab

Known manufactured size range: 6/0 V

Selected size 6/0
Physical specimen
Overall Length
51.6 mm P
Shank Length
39.6 mm P
Gap Width
23.5 mm P
Wire Diameter
2.3 mm P
Confidence
P Physical specimen

Physical measurement with calipers

Calibrated SVG True-scale preview

Historical context

mustad

O. Mustad & Son (U.S.A.) Inc. was established in Auburn, New York as the primary American sales and distribution subsidiary of O. Mustad & Son A/S, the Norwegian parent company founded in Gjøvik in 1832. By the mid-20th century, Mustad was the largest industrial hook manufacturer in the world, supplying commercial, sport fishing, and bait markets globally.

The Auburn facility served as a regional warehouse and custom-order center for North American markets. Hooks were manufactured in Norway and then imported and packaged in Auburn under the (U.S.A.) Inc. imprint, as indicated by the printed address on this box. This practice was common for Norwegian and British manufacturers seeking to establish a domestic (American) presence without establishing full manufacturing capacity.

Series History

Model 95133 is not documented in available Mustad catalogs as a named series or distinctive line. Rather, it appears to be an internal quality-control or production-batch designation from the 1960s. The model code format—five digits beginning with 9—was typical of Mustad’s American product numbering in that era. This particular hook may represent a barbless bait hook variant offered to commercial fisheries or tackle shops as a specialized option, though production and distribution details are not available in surviving catalog.

Era and Packaging Dating

No barcode on box (pre-1974 strong indicator). Box address printed as "Auburn, N.Y. 13021"—Auburn postal code 13021 was established in the 1963 ZIP Code rollout; if 13021 is present on this box, the box post-dates 1963 V. Handwritten size notation "6/0" in gray ink on the label is consistent with 1960s hand-stamping practices before modern printing. Box construction (cardboard stock, ink set, hinge mechanism) and yellow band design are consistent with Mustad American packaging from the 1960s. The auburnny address format (U.S.A.) INC. is typical of Mustad's branding from 1950s onward, but the specific box design and materials point most precisely to 1960-1970.

Cross-reference & comparisons

Saltwater Bait Fishing

Primary Application

Large saltwater and bait hook, size 6/0, designed for live or chunked bait fishing in coastal and estuarine environments. The short shank, wide gap, and straight-inline eye are configured for direct presentation of mullet, mackerel, herring, or other saltwater baits. The barbless point facilitates quick penetration and release, characteristics that were beginning to be recognized in commercial catch-and-release protocols during the 1960s, though most anglers at the time still preferred barbed hooks.

The tinned finish provides corrosion resistance essential for saltwater use, where salt spray and immersion in brine accelerate oxidation of untreated steel. The round/Kendal bend is gentle enough to handle live bait without crushing or harming it—a feature valued by charter boat captains and commercial shrimpers.

Secondary Applications

Trolling rigs for striped bass, bluefish, and tarpon in North American coastal waters. Large nymph representation in freshwater (rare, as the straight eye limits fly-tying versatility).

Collector notes

Rated 3.5/10 — common as a loose hook, but the original box raises appeal significantly. Mustad industrial production means abundant surviving stock, but this particular size (6/0) in original packaging is encountered less frequently than smaller bait hook sizes. Collector demand is modest; the hook appeals mainly to users seeking vintage saltwater tackle or bait anglers restoring vintage rigs.

Reference value $4 – $12 USD estimate
Packaging format GW-BOX-MUSTAD-1960s Catalog code

Positive factors: Original rigid manufacturer box with intact lid is a substantial premium; Mustad boxes are rarer than cards and command 2-4× the value. The handwritten size designation and absent barcode confirm 1960s provenance. The barbless point is unusual for this era and period, adding historical interest to fly-tying and tackle historians. Size 6/0 is a legitimate large saltwater size, not a novelty.

Limiting factors: Mustad’s industrial production volumes mean the hook model itself is not scarce; loose examples appear regularly on eBay for $0.25-$0.50. The model code 95133 appears to be a utility designation rather than a named/marketed pattern, which limits collector cachet. Saltwater bait hooks lack the fly-tying community demand that drives premiums for dry-fly or nymph hooks. The straight-eye configuration also limits its appeal to modern fly tyers.

Desirable variants: Original box in excellent condition (as here) is the primary value driver. Sealed or still-full boxes command significant premiums. Smaller sizes in the same line (if they exist in original packaging) would be scarcer.

Condition factors: Box condition is critical—original printing clarity, lid integrity, and toning level all affect value. Hooks themselves are common and condition affects loose value minimally; corrosion or damage to the specimen hook would reduce box value slightly.

Packaging

Rigid manufacturer box with separate lid, cream-colored cardboard with bright yellow band across center. Top face printed in bright blue ink: "O. MUSTAD & SON (U.S.A.) INC. AUBURN, N.Y. 13021" V. Below: "QUALITY NO." field, "PACK CODE" field, "SIZE" field with "6/0" hand-stamped in gray ink, "NO. OF PACKS" field, "NO. OF HOOKS" field. Yellow band obscures some fields on front. Box shows moderate toning and surface wear consistent with 1960s storage. No barcode visible (pre-1974 indicator).

Market Value Notes

Low ($4): Good condition — opened box, clear labeling, all or most hooks present, minor wear to box corners/lid.<br />
High ($12): Excellent condition — box lid intact with minimal toning, full original hook count (if determinable), printing clear and bright.<br />
Premium factors: Original rigid manufacturer box (2-3× card value); clear 1960s provenance via postal code and handwritten notation; barbless point rarity for the period; complete hook count.<br />
Platforms: eBay UK and US (Mustad vintage saltwater lots); occasional specialist tackle dealer inventory; rarely exceeds $15 even in mint condition.<br />
Confidence: E estimated — limited comparable sales data for this specific model in original box. Valuation anchored on similar Mustad 1960s saltwater boxes and loose 6/0 bait hook pricing.

Where to Find

eBay (both US and UK auctions search "Mustad 95133" or "Mustad 6/0 saltwater vintage"). Specialist vintage fishing tackle dealers in New England and mid-Atlantic regions (where saltwater heritage is strong). Tackle fairs and sporting auctions in coastal areas. Rarely listed on dealer websites; more commonly found in bulk lots of vintage saltwater tackle.

Confidence notation key

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).