Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
Save this hook to your account to build a list you can come back to.
Mustad Quality 3311 Cincinnati Bass Hook, No. 17 — a historically significant bait hook from the early 20th century Norwegian manufacturing era. This is a marked (eyeless) shank design with a distinctive offset Kirbed point, intended for professional snelling — the practice of whipping a leader onto the shank with thread to create a streamlined bait presentation.
The packaging label reads ‘Christiania’ rather than ‘Oslo,’ providing a definitive dating clue: the city reverted to its Norwegian name Oslo in January 1925, making this box Pre-1925 V. The bright steel finish, heavy round-wire construction, and bold letterpress printing on mustard-yellow card stock are all consistent with Mustad’s peak export production to the American market in the early 1900s.
The 3311 represents a crucial moment in American fishing tackle history — when European manufacturers dominated the market and regional bend designs (like the Cincinnati shape from the Ohio River Valley) were standardized globally by industrial giants like Mustad. The marked shank design is now largely obsolete, having been replaced by ringed eyes, making surviving original boxes highly prized by tackle historians and vintage fishing collectors.
3 cataloged imagesSelect any record to load it above.
3 images shown
Blind Eye (Marked Shank) • Kirbed Cincinnati Bend • Standard Wire • Bright Steel • Made in Norway
The marked shank was engineered to minimize profile disruption when a natural bait (minnow, frog, or crayfish) was presented. Traditional eye designs — ball eyes, turned-down eyes — created a pronounced bulge at the bait head that could alert cautious fish or snag on vegetation. The marked shank, combined with a whipped leader, allowed the hook to sit flush with the bait body, creating an essentially eyeless presentation.
The Kirbed offset point was designed on biomechanical principles: when a bass strikes a bait crosswise, its mouth naturally closes with a slight lateral bias. The Kirbed point angles into this closing motion, increasing penetration probability. The heavy round wire provided the strength needed for fresh-water bass and pike, which fight hard and have tough mouths.
The bright (uncoated) finish was standard for bait hooks of this era — no protective plating was considered necessary, and the cost savings were passed to the consumer. The finish would gradually develop a light patina in use, which some fishermen believed actually improved the hook’s effectiveness by reducing visibility.
Physical measurement with calipers
We don't have measured sizes for this hook yet. Own one? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
Sources: this specimen and its packaging.
The Quality 3311 Cincinnati Bass series represents Mustad’s commitment to the American marked-shank bait-fishing tradition. Cincinnati Bend hooks — first developed in the mid-1800s by Ohio River tackle makers — featured a distinctive Kirbed (offset) point designed to angle into a fish’s mouth mouth rather than slide away. Mustad acquired or licensed this design and produced it in multiple iterations for the global market.
The 3311 was positioned as a ‘Quality’ grade — a mid-tier offering between the premium (and more expensive) models and entry-level hooks. It remained in production through at least the 1940s, though the marked-shank variant shown here is most commonly encountered in pre-1930 boxes. By mid-century, the ringed eye had almost entirely replaced marked shanks in freshwater fishing, and the 3311 transitioned to looped-eye variants, which persisted much longer.
Packaging label states 'CHRISTIANIA - NORWAY' — Christiania was the official name until January 1925, establishing a strict pre-1925 upper bound. No barcode visible (consistent with pre-1974 production). Letterpress printing on mustard-yellow card stock is typical of Mustad's 1900-1920s export branding. Black trefoil ornament border is a signature design element from this period. Typography (serif and sans-serif mix, industrial aesthetic) consistent with early-20th-century Scandinavian printing. Marked-shank snelling design was standard through 1920s-1930s but phased out by 1940s, suggesting this box falls within 1900-1925 range. All evidence points to c. 1900-1925.
The 'Christiania' designation is a collector's gold standard. In January 1925, the Norwegian capital officially reverted from the Scandinavian name Christiania to the ancient Norse name Oslo. Any Mustad box bearing 'Christiania' is guaranteed to predate 1925 — making it a precise, zero-guesswork dating tool. Tackle historians prize these Christiania boxes as tangible artifacts from the peak of Norwegian hook manufacturing dominance, when Mustad was shipping billions of hooks annually to America and building a global empire on industrial precision and clever marketing.
The Cincinnati bend itself predates Mustad by several decades, emerging as a regional innovation in the Ohio and Kentucky river valleys during the 1850s-1870s. Local tackle makers developed the offset point to counter the tendency of straight-pointed hooks to deflect off fish mouths during the strike. Mustad recognized the design’s effectiveness and incorporated it into their global catalog, essentially industrializing an American folk tradition.
The marked shank reflects an even older snelling tradition, common in British salmon and sea-trout fishing, where leaders were whipped onto eyeless shanks. Mustad adapted this European practice for American freshwater bass and pike fishing, creating a unique hybrid design that remained competitive until the 1930s-1950s, when ringed eyes became the new standard.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CBH — Cincinnati Bass Hooks | 89% | Compare | |
|
3751 No. 19 — Mustad 3751 | 84% | Compare | |
|
3310 No. 19 — Mustad-Cincinnati Bass Hooks | 78% | Compare | |
|
3141 No. 1, 6 — Mustad-Best Kirby Hooks | 71% | Compare | |
|
3336 No. 5/0 — Mustad Sneck Hooks | 69% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3959 No. 4 — Mustad-American Trout Hooks | 79% | Compare |
|
CS6 No. 4/0 — CS6 Adlington & Hutchinson Blind Eye Salmon | 79% | Compare |
|
|
3751 No. 19 — Mustad 3751 | 79% | Compare |
|
O1413 No. 3/0 — Worm Hook | 77% | Compare |
|
3908 A No. 2 — Mustad 3908 A | 76% | Compare |
The Quality 3311 was designed as a professional snelling hook for bait fishermen, particularly those targeting freshwater bass and pike. The ‘snelled’ technique — whipping a monofilament or gut leader onto the marked shank with thread — was standard practice among experienced bait anglers through the mid-20th century. The offset Kirbed point was believed to increase hook-up rates by angling into the fish’s mouth during the strike, while the streamlined marked-shank presentation minimized bait disturbance.
These hooks were particularly valued for live-minnow presentations in lakes and rivers where bass and pike cruised weed beds and shallow flats. The heavy wire and sharp point could penetrate tough fish mouths without bending or breaking. The bright finish — while not camouflaged — was considered acceptable because the bait itself was the primary lure attractant.
Catfish, pike, and large perch fishing; some use in saltwater bait presentations.
Not typically used for fly tying.
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad 3366 Cincinnati Bass | Very Good | Same bend and offset geometry, but with ringed eye instead of marked shank. Represents the direct lineal successor when snelling went obsolete in the 1950s. |
| Mustad 92611 Circle Hook | Good | Modern offset design for bait fishing, but uses circle-point geometry (not standard spear) and is often plated rather than bright steel. |
| Owner SSW Offset Circle | Moderate | Modern Japanese equivalent for bait and saltwater fishing with offset geometry, but different eye and point designs. |
Highly collectible. The Christiania address provides definitive Pre-1925 dating; the marked-shank snelling design is now obsolete and represents a forgotten fishing tradition; the 100-hook complete-box format is increasingly rare. Limited demand from general collectors but strong appeal to Mustad specialists and American tackle historians.
Positive factors: Christiania address (definitive pre-1925 dating), marked-shank snelling design (now essentially obsolete), complete original 100-hook box (increasingly scarce), early Mustad export era (peak of Mustad’s dominance), bright steel finish (period-correct and desirable), excellent box condition with legible label, No. 17 size (mid-range, practical size for collectors).
Limiting factors: Marked-shank hooks have minimal practical utility in modern fishing (no fly-tying applications), bait-fishing specialization appeals to narrower collector base than dry-fly or salmon hooks, some users perceive ‘bait hooks’ as less prestigious than trout flies, heavy wire gauge limits versatility, offset-point Kirbed design has never achieved the iconic status of Sproat or O’Shaughnessy bends in American collecting culture.
Mustard-yellow card stock box with black letterpress printing. Label measures approximately 3.5" × 2.75" and is glued to the lid. Ornamental border of black trefoil (three-leaf) designs frames the entire label. Text elements in bold sans-serif type (likely Alternate Gothic or similar early-20th-century industrial typeface). Layout reads: 'Trade Mark' (with key symbol) at top-left; 'QUAL. 3311' in large text; 'O. MUSTAD & SON / MANUFACTURERS' centered; 'CHRISTIANIA - NORWAY' in capital letters; 'Superior' and 'Cincinnati Bass Hooks' in mixed sizes; 'Marked Bright' below; 'Made in Norway' at bottom. Left side lists '100' and 'No. 17' vertically. Box interior is plain white cardboard with no visible manufacturing details or secondary text. No barcode, no lot codes, no lot-number stamps visible.
Typical range USD 45–85 for a clean, complete original box with legible Christiania label. Premiums apply for exceptional box condition (USD 100+), pristine untagged specimen hooks, or documented provenance. Specialist Mustad dealers command higher prices; eBay and general online auctions tend toward lower end. Condition of the box label (legibility, color retention) is the primary value driver.
Specialist vintage tackle dealers, eBay (search 'Mustad Christiania'), tackle antique shows, private collections. Original complete boxes are increasingly rare; single hooks are occasionally found but lack the collectibility of a full documented box.
Model confirmation: The label clearly states ‘QUAL. 3311’ and ‘CINCINNATI BASS HOOKS.’ The marked shank (ridged, eyeless) is visually unmistakable — no other major Mustad model of this era featured this construction.
Dating via Christiania: The label must read ‘CHRISTIANIA – NORWAY’ to be Pre-1925. Post-1925 boxes will state ‘OSLO – NORWAY’ or simply ‘NORWAY.’ This is the single most reliable dating tool for Mustad boxes of this period.
Box format: Original boxes are bright mustard-yellow with black letterpress printing and trefoil border ornaments. Reproduction or later reissues will have different card stock color (often duller), offset printing (instead of letterpress), or different typography.
Hook construction: All 3311 hooks should be bright steel, Kirbed (offset), marked-shank, and heavy wire. Any corrosion, plating, or different shank construction indicates a different model or a damaged specimen.
Store the original box in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. The mustard-yellow label is prone to fading if exposed to extended UV light. Maintain relative humidity below 50% to prevent rust spotting on the bright-steel hooks and to slow the gradual browning of the card stock.
If the hooks are removed, keep them separate from other metals to prevent galvanic corrosion. Some collectors store original boxes in archival-quality kraft sleeves or acid-free tissue to reduce dust exposure and minimize handling damage to the label. Do not laminate or seal the original box — collectors and appraisers need to examine the label in its original state for dating and condition assessment.
Avoid cleaning the hooks with harsh solvents or abrasive materials. If rust spotting develops, light surface rust can be gently removed with very fine (0000) steel wool or a soft brass brush, working carefully to avoid scratching the steel. A light coat of mineral oil (not gun oil) can help inhibit further oxidation without leaving a sticky residue.
Source: Original mustard-yellow label, Mustad 3311 box
‘Marked’ — Refers to the ridged shank (also called ‘marked shank’), which featured shallow longitudinal ridges designed to grip and hold thread during snelling. The ridges serve no function beyond facilitating the whipping-on of a leader — they do not aid in bait-holding in the modern sense.
‘Bright’ — Indicates bare, polished steel with no protective coating (no plating, no japanning, no bronzing). The finish would develop a light gray or olive patina over time, which some anglers believed improved concealment in the water.
‘Cincinnati’ — Refers to the specific bend geometry, which originated in the Ohio River Valley and was popularized by Mustad globally. The Cincinnati bend is characterized by a Kirbed (offset) point and a moderately deep, rounded bend with a slight upward taper toward the eye.
‘Made in Norway’ — Confirms Norwegian manufacture, almost certainly at the Gjøvik factory. This was Mustad’s primary production facility and represents the height of Scandinavian industrial hook manufacturing.
No handwritten notations, lot codes, or secondary stamps are visible on the specimen box. The label and box interior bear no pencil marks, ink stamps, or retailer notations typical of some vintage hook boxes. This absence of secondary marking is consistent with a box that remained in storage or collection rather than passing through retail inventory multiple times. The lack of marking actually enhances value, as it suggests direct wholesale or warehouse retention.
The marked-shank snelling hook represents a sophisticated but now-forgotten technique in bait fishing. ‘Snelling’ was the practice of permanently whipping a leader (originally gut, later monofilament) onto the hook shank using fly-tying thread, creating a virtually eyeless, streamlined presentation. This required skill and patience — a proper snell was created at home, not bought pre-made, and demanded knowledge of thread-wrapping, knot-tying, and varnish application.
The marked shank’s longitudinal ridges were designed specifically to prevent the whipped thread from slipping. A smooth shank would allow the leader to rotate or slide off during use. The ridge pattern — typically 3-5 shallow grooves running the length of the shank — provided mechanical grip without significantly increasing the hook’s profile.
By the 1950s, the ringed eye (a small wire ring soldered to the hook eye) became the industry standard, and snelling fell into obsolescence. Ringed eyes were easier to use, required no preparation, and allowed anglers to quickly tie on a leader with a simple clinch knot. The marked shank, once a mark of professional craftsmanship, became a curiosity.
Today, snelling is experiencing a modest revival among traditional fly-tiers and purist salmon anglers, but the marked-shank design is rarely manufactured. These vintage Mustad boxes represent the height of the snelling era — when marked-shank hooks were the preferred choice for serious bait anglers.
| 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).
Your cart is empty.