Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Mustad 1608 A represents a classic saltwater bait hook from the golden age of Norwegian hook manufacturing. This ringed, bronzed, reversed special hook was designed for serious saltwater angling, featuring Mustad’s signature Superior point and robust construction P.
The 5/0 size shown here demonstrates the heavy-duty nature of this pattern, built to handle large saltwater species. The bronzed finish provided corrosion resistance while the ringed eye ensured secure line attachment under heavy loads P.
This vintage packaging showcases Mustad’s quality branding from their Oslo factory, complete with the iconic Key Brand logo and decorative border design that collectors prize today. The letterpress printing and hand-written size marking indicate pre-automation manufacturing era, likely 1920s-1960s I.
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Superior | Mustad Bowed Hooks | Ringed | Bronzed | Reversed | Special | Made in Norway
The Superior point geometry represents Mustad’s precision manufacturing approach, featuring a near-straight inner taper from barb to tip that maximizes penetration efficiency while maintaining structural integrity under heavy loads. This point style, combined with the reversed offset construction, creates optimal hook-setting angles for large-mouthed predatory species P.
The heavy wire gauge (approximately 1X Heavy) and round wire profile provide exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, essential for saltwater applications where hook failure can mean lost trophy fish. The bronzed finish not only offers corrosion resistance but also provides a natural appearance that doesn’t spook wary fish in clear water conditions.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
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O. Mustad & Son, founded in 1832 by Ole Mustad in Gjøvik, Norway, became the world’s largest fishhook manufacturer through innovative mass production techniques and unwavering quality standards. The company’s early success stemmed from Ole Mustad’s engineering background and his systematic approach to hook manufacturing, establishing Norway as the global center of industrial hook production.
By the early 20th century, Mustad operated multiple facilities including their prestigious Oslo factory, which produced premium hooks for international markets. The Key Brand logo seen on this packaging became synonymous with reliability among commercial and sport fishermen worldwide, backed by Mustad’s comprehensive quality control and metallurgical expertise developed over nearly a century of continuous operation.
The ‘Mustad-Bowed Hooks’ series represented a specialized line of offset saltwater patterns designed for serious big game fishing applications. Introduced in the early 20th century, these hooks featured Mustad’s proprietary reversed offset geometry that improved hook-setting characteristics while maintaining exceptional holding power under extreme loads.
The series encompassed various O’Shaughnessy-based patterns, each engineered with specific wire gauges and point configurations optimized for different saltwater species and fishing techniques. The 1608 A model specifically targeted heavy-duty applications, manufactured with premium Norwegian steel and finished with Mustad’s corrosion-resistant bronzing process. Production continued through the mid-20th century before being consolidated into Mustad’s broader catalog numbering system.
Not named.
Yellow decorative label with Oslo location marking (pre-Gjøvik consolidation), traditional Key Brand logo, letterpress printing on quality paper stock, no barcode or modern postal codes, hand-written size marking suggests pre-automation era
The distinctive yellow label design with star border pattern was Mustad's premium packaging reserved for their highest-quality export hooks. Norwegian hook makers believed that the visual presentation of packaging directly reflected the precision of the enclosed product, leading to increasingly elaborate label designs throughout the early 20th century.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
23407 B No. 1 — O'Shaughnessy Hooks | 95% | Compare | |
|
5511-Br No. 7/0 — O'Shaughnessy | 91% | Compare | |
|
3808 No. 6 — Mustad 3808 | 88% | Compare | |
|
23407 D No. 1/0 — O'Shaughnessy Hooks Ringed Duratin | 86% | Compare | |
|
34128 ST No. 5/0 — Mustad 34128 ST | 86% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
56310 No. 11 — Mustad 56310 | 99% | Compare |
|
W210 No. t explicitly marked; specimen appears small (estimated No. 14-16) — W210 | 98% | Compare |
|
5321 No. 5 — Sheepshead Fish Hooks | 98% | Compare |
|
3667 No. 9 — Mustad 3667 Limerick Hollow Point | 97% | Compare |
|
541 No. 10 — Mustad 541 | 97% | Compare |
This heavy-duty saltwater bait hook was engineered for serious offshore angling, particularly effective for large predatory fish like cod, halibut, and striped bass. The reversed offset point and robust wire construction provided excellent hook sets in tough-mouthed species while the bronzed finish offered corrosion resistance in marine environments P.
Large freshwater species including pike, musky, and lake trout, particularly when using substantial live or cut baits
Not typically used for fly tying
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 92671 | Good | Similar O'Shaughnessy bend and heavy wire, but modern needle point rather than Superior point |
Elevated by pristine Oslo-era packaging and the discontinued Mustad-Bowed series designation, though limited by single-size availability.
This 1608 A represents solid mid-tier collectability driven by several positive factors: the exceptional preservation of the original Oslo-era packaging with its distinctive Key Brand yellow label, the historical significance of the discontinued ‘Mustad-Bowed Hooks’ series designation, and the robust construction representing Mustad’s pre-war Norwegian manufacturing quality. The reversed offset design and superior point geometry showcase classic saltwater hook engineering from the golden age of big game fishing.
Limiting factors include the availability of only a single size (5/0) rather than a complete series, and the relatively common nature of Mustad hooks in general collecting circles. However, the specific Oslo factory marking and pristine label condition elevate this above typical Mustad specimens.
Pull-out cardboard box with bright yellow decorative label featuring ornate star border pattern. Oslo, Norway factory location prominently displayed. Traditional Key Brand logo with detailed key illustration. Letterpress printing on quality paper stock. Hand-written '5/0' size marking in purple ink.
Premium pricing for mint condition packaging and complete 100-count quantity. Oslo factory marking adds 20-30% over standard Mustad examples.
Specialized vintage tackle auctions, Norwegian tackle collectors, estate sales in coastal fishing communities
some ID notes
| Title | Price | Date | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 #11 FLY TYING HOOKS MUSTAD RINGED RUSTPROOF REVERSED SPECIAL NORWAY 1608A | $9.99 (asking) | active | New other (see details) |
eBay market reference. Researcher-curated. Prices in USD. Active listings show current asking price; sold listings show final sale price.
Store in a cool, dry environment away from moisture to preserve the bronzed finish and prevent corrosion. The original yellow label is particularly susceptible to fading and should be kept away from direct sunlight. Maintain hooks on original card rather than loose to preserve collector value and prevent point damage.
The cardboard packaging benefits from archival storage conditions – consider placing in acid-free envelopes if long-term preservation is desired. Avoid handling the hooks directly; oils from skin contact can accelerate oxidation of the bronze finish. Original quantity packaging adds significant collector premium, so maintain the complete 100-count if possible.
The purple ink ‘5/0’ marking appears to be factory applied using a steel pen nib, consistent with pre-automation packaging practices of the 1920s-1950s era. The handwriting style shows the confident, practiced strokes typical of factory workers who marked hundreds of packages daily.
This hand-marking system preceded Mustad’s later adoption of pre-printed size designations, making these hand-marked examples increasingly scarce among collectors. The purple ink choice was practical – it provided good contrast against the yellow label while being less expensive than black ink for marking purposes.
| 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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