Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The Mustad Quality 3190 A ‘Superior’ Mustad-Carlisle Hook represents Norwegian industrial interpretation of the classic English long-shank pattern, documented here in size 3/0 with distinctive gold-plated finish and original Key Brand packaging. This Carlisle variant exhibits the pattern’s defining characteristic: an extended shank measuring approximately 3:1 ratio to gap width, designed for freshwater bait fishing applications where leader protection and hook extraction are paramount.
The ‘Superior’ point designation, confirmed by the near-straight inner taper visible in the macro photography, establishes this as Mustad’s cross-model point geometry specification rather than a quality designation. The gold-plated finish positions this hook within North American freshwater bait fishing traditions, where warm gold coloring was favored over bright nickel in clear water conditions.
Dating to circa 1945-1965 based on the white slide box construction, Key Brand blue label variant, and hand-stamped size designation, this specimen documents mid-century industrial hook production when sizes were applied individually from universal label stock. The packaging introduces the ‘SÖN’ spelling with umlaut, distinct from other Key Brand variants, suggesting multiple label printing sources or deliberate market differentiation.
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Straight Eye| Extra long | Standard Wire | Superior Point | Gold-plated
The Superior point geometry employs a near-straight inner taper from tip to barb, creating maximum penetration efficiency with minimal tissue displacement. This differs from hollow point construction where the concave inner face creates a knife-edge effect. The straight ring eye provides secure line attachment while maintaining proper hook set angle. The gold plating, while thin by jewelry standards, provides corrosion resistance and the warm color tone preferred in clear freshwater conditions.
The long-shank design serves multiple functions: extending reach beyond the bait to reduce short strikes, protecting leaders from tooth contact, and providing leverage for easier hook extraction. The 3:1 shank-to-gap ratio represents optimal balance between these benefits and structural integrity under load.
Grid-derived from photograph (1/10" grid)
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Sources: this specimen and its packaging.
The Mustad 3190 series represented the company’s interpretation of the Carlisle long-shank pattern, introduced as part of their comprehensive catalog serving freshwater bait fishing markets. The series offered multiple finish options including bronze, nickel, and the gold plating seen on this specimen. The ‘A’ designation indicated the ringed eye variant within the 3190 family, distinguishing it from other eye configurations offered in the same basic pattern.
Production of the 3190 series spanned several decades, with packaging and manufacturing details evolving while maintaining the core Carlisle geometry. The series was eventually superseded by more modern long-shank patterns as fishing techniques and materials evolved in the latter 20th century.
White cardboard slide box construction with Key Brand label, no barcode, hand-stamped size designation in purple ink, 'O. MUSTAD & SÖN' spelling with umlaut, absence of telephone numbers or postal codes, mid-century typography and ornamental border design all indicate pre-1974 production. Hand-stamping suggests earlier mid-century period when sizes were applied individually rather than pre-printed.
Mustad's Key Brand trademark featured an ornate skeleton key motif that became one of the most recognizable symbols in global fishing tackle. The key symbolized reliability and access to fishing success, appearing on millions of hook packages distributed worldwide from the 1920s through the 1970s.
The Carlisle pattern traces to English hook-making traditions, though its specific connection to the city of Carlisle is less documented than other regional patterns like those from Redditch. By the 19th century, ‘Carlisle’ had become a standard designation for long-shanked, round-bend hooks across the English-speaking tackle trade. Mustad’s interpretation maintained the essential geometry while adapting construction methods for industrial production.
Contemporary competitors like Pflueger and Wright & McGill offered similar long-shank patterns, but Mustad’s global distribution and consistent quality made their version widely adopted. The pattern influenced later developments in long-shank hook design, particularly in North American bait fishing applications.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3215 A No. 6 — Carlisle Hooks | 90% | Compare | |
|
31867 No. 6/0 — Carlisle Hook | 83% | Compare | |
|
3321 No. 6 — Carlisle | 82% | Compare | |
|
3193 No. 6 — Carlisle Hooks | 78% | Compare | |
|
3489 No. 3 — Pacific Bass Hooks | 77% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
552 No. 1 — Grade 552 Carlisle Fish Hooks | 91% | Compare |
|
3700 No. 4/0 — Mustad 3700 | 90% | Compare |
|
777 No. 1/0 — No. 777 First Quality Hollow Point Sproat | 87% | Compare |
|
Carlisle No. 2 — Carlisle Hook | 86% | Compare |
|
3713 B — Carlisle Hook | 85% | Compare |
Long-shank Carlisle pattern designed for freshwater bait fishing, particularly effective for panfish, catfish, and trout in clear to moderately stained water. The extended shank serves dual purposes: protecting the leader from tooth contact and facilitating hook extraction from deep-hooked fish. Gold plating was favored in North American freshwater fishing for its warm color tone, believed less alarming to wary fish than bright nickel finishes.
Light saltwater bait fishing, live bait presentation for bass and pike
Not typically used for fly tying
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 92655 | Good | Modern long-shank bait hook with similar proportions, bronze finish |
| Eagle Claw 181 | Moderate | Long-shank bait hook with comparable geometry, different eye construction |
Scarce example of Mustad's mid-century Carlisle pattern with original Key Brand packaging. Gold-plated finish and hand-stamped sizing add collecting interest.
Positive factors include the intact original packaging with legible Key Brand label, the distinctive gold-plated finish that was less common than standard bronze or nickel, and the hand-stamped size designation documenting mid-century packing practices. The Carlisle pattern represents Mustad’s interpretation of a classic English long-shank design, making this a significant industrial fishing hook specimen.
Limiting factors include moderate box wear and the industrial production scale that makes this less rare than handcrafted equivalents. The bait fishing application lacks the romance of fly fishing hooks among many collectors.
White cardboard slide box with blue Key Brand label featuring ornamental star border. Label text: 'Key Brand O. MUSTAD & SÖN Manufacturers OSLO - NORWAY Qual. 3190 A Superior Mustad-Carlisle Hooks 100 Ringed Goldplated Made in Norway' with hand-stamped '3/0' size designation in purple ink. Box shows moderate edge wear and corner damage but label remains fully legible.
Value driven by packaging completeness and gold finish. Box condition significantly affects pricing. Specialist tackle collectors pay premium for Key Brand examples.
Vintage tackle dealers, estate sales, online auctions specializing in mid-century fishing equipment
Authentic Key Brand packages feature crisp star border printing and consistent typography. Hand-stamped sizes in purple ink indicate earlier production. The ‘SÖN’ spelling with umlaut distinguishes this label variant from others in the series. Box construction should be white cardboard with clean slide-fit – reproduction boxes often show printing inconsistencies or modern cardboard characteristics.
Store in a cool, dry environment to preserve the gold plating, which is more susceptible to tarnishing than bronze or nickel finishes. The original Key Brand packaging adds significant collectible value and should be preserved with the hook specimens. Avoid handling the cardboard box edges, which show wear easily, and store flat to prevent further corner damage.
Gold-plated hooks should be stored away from other metals to prevent galvanic corrosion. The thin gold layer can wear through handling, so minimize direct contact. Original boxes should be stored in archival-quality protective sleeves to prevent further deterioration while maintaining accessibility for reference.
The purple ink ‘3/0’ stamped over the ‘No.’ field represents mid-century packaging practices where hook sizes were applied individually during the packing process. This hand-stamping technique allowed manufacturers to use universal label stock across multiple sizes, improving production efficiency while maintaining clear size identification.
The purple ink is characteristic of rubber stamp pads used in industrial packing operations of the 1940s-1960s. The stamp placement and ink quality suggest factory application rather than later dealer modification, making this an authentic period packaging detail that adds to the specimen’s historical value.
The 3/0 size designation on this Carlisle pattern hook reflects traditional hook sizing where the number relates to gap width rather than overall length. Due to the extended shank, this hook measures significantly longer than a standard 3/0 pattern like a Sproat or Aberdeen of the same numerical size. This can create confusion for modern anglers accustomed to contemporary sizing standards.
The long shank effectively makes this hook perform more like a 1/0 or 2/0 in modern equivalents when considering bait presentation and fish holding characteristics, despite the 3/0 gap measurement. Historical Carlisle patterns prioritized the shank extension over gap proportions, reflecting their specialized bait fishing applications.
| 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. |
Unnotated claims are the compiler’s synthesis; see 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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