Captain Hamilton Featherweight hook silhouette
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Partridge of Redditch L4A

Captain Hamilton Featherweight1995-c. 1999 (documented)

Evidence reviewed October 2, 2026. Marks: P photographically · V verified · I inferred · E estimated · S speculative What they mean

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Summary

The Partridge L4A Captain Hamilton Featherweight is a dry fly hook made by Partridge of Redditch, England P. The model’s own production dates are not established; the earliest dated evidence is a green hanger card whose telephone number places it after April 1995 I.

Photographic record

6 photographs

Partridge L4A Captain Hamilton Featherweight Size 14 — side view of single hook showing bend profile and tapered down eye — on 1/10-inch measurement grid
IMG-1Partridge L4A Size 14 Bend and Barb Detail Side view of the size 14 L4A hook on a measurement grid. The eye turns down, the bend is round and one short barb is cut behind the point.

How to identify it

Look for the code L4A on the package: ‘CODE L4A’ in a box on the blue label, and ‘L4A’ in the box above the caption ‘Code’ on the green hanger card P. Both name the hook ‘CAPTAIN HAMILTON FEATHERWEIGHT’; the blue label states ‘DOWN EYE’ and the card prints ‘D/E’ P.

The hook has a turned-down eye with a flattened neck, a round bend, a plain shank and one short cut barb P.

Technical profile and measurements

Features of the model, as recorded
FeatureRecordedEvidence
EyeTapered Eye, Turned Down
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Eye turned down below the shank line; the ring appears closed. The wire flattens toward a tab at the shank junction, consistent with a tapered eye. P

OBS-1OBS-8
WireFine (1X Fine), ForgedCMP-3LBL-18CMP-3 compared with 120 catalogued hooks classified Fine (1X Fine)
ShankStandard — Plain
BendRound / Kendal, Wide gap
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Smooth round bend with a continuous curve and no straight run P. The packaging names a Captain Hamilton bend with a wide gape P.

OBS-2OBS-9LBL-2
PointStandard / Spear
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Single short barb cut from the inner side of the point, a short way behind the tip, angled back toward the bend. P

OBS-4OBS-11
FinishBronzed — stated on packaging
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Both packages state a bronze finish. The hooks photographed show a dark olive-bronze finish with patchy bright wear on the shank and no rust. P

LBL-2LBL-19OBS-6OBS-13
ConstructionForgedOBS-7OBS-14OBS-4OBS-11

The shank is straight and plain, with no ridges, grooves or kinks P. The point is slender and tapered, and a side view cannot show whether it is offset P.

The blue label lists ‘FLAT FORGED’ among its specification lines P. A bright band runs along the outside of the lower bend on the size 12 hook photographed; a side view does not show whether the wire is flattened there P.

The green card back calls the hook a ‘very fine wire dry fly hook’ P, and a Partridge range listing uses the same description V.

Measurements

Per size, with how each dimension was taken
SizeOverall lengthShank lengthGap widthBend depthWire diameterWeightShank:gap
14Specimen S111.9 mm EcaliperMEA-1 Check: The evidence record measured 11.9 mm (MEA-1).7.9 mm EcaliperMEA-2 Check: The evidence record measured 7.9 mm (MEA-2).4.3 mm EcaliperMEA-3 Check: The evidence record measured 4.3 mm (MEA-3).3.9 mm EcaliperMEA-4 Check: The evidence record measured 3.9 mm (MEA-4).0.49 mm EcaliperMEA-5—~1.8-1.9 : 1 E
Calibrated SVG True-scale preview

How hook dimensions are measuredA hook outline with dimension lines for overall length, shank length, gap, bend depth, and wire diameter.Overall lengthShank lengthGapBend depthWire diameter
Overall length
Eye to the farthest point of the bend.
Shank length
Eye to the start of the bend.
Gap
Point to shank, at right angles to the shank.
Bend depth
Shank to the bottom of the bend.
Wire diameter
Across the wire, measured by caliper where possible.

Specimens, packaging, and label

This record documents 3 specimens. Each describes itself only; none stands for every example of the model.

Blue label with a black border on a Partridge L4A packet, size 12 written by hand, behind clear plastic film.
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Blue label with a black border on a Partridge L4A packet, size 14 written by hand, behind clear plastic film.
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S1 · Blue-label packet, size 14

Size
14 (printed on the label)
Container
Packet
Hook condition
One hook photographed: eye, barb and point intact, light finish wear on the shank and fine surface specks. (P)
Packaging condition
Good — moderate wear, legible
Wear
label, black border, lower edge and left side: Black ink chipped along the lower edge and lower left corner with blue paper showing; scrape marks near the left edge. LBL-9
Wear
label, black border, lower edge and right side: Black ink chipped along the lower edge near the centre and right with blue paper showing; plastic film creased at both sides. LBL-10
Measured
size 14
Photographs
IMG-3IMG-1

The label is seen behind clear plastic film; the packet's back and contents are not shown. Black border ink is chipped along the lower edge and lower left corner with blue paper showing, and scrape marks lie near the left edge. The size 14 hook photograph is matched to this packet by its title only.

What the label says

LBL-1 printed · label, upper right from IMG-2IMG-3
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
FEATHERWEIGHT
(DOWN EYE) HOOKS
LBL-2 printed · label, lower left from IMG-2IMG-3
BRONZE
DOWN/EYE
FLAT FORGED
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
BEND
WIDE GAPE
LBL-3 printed · label, right of centre, boxed from IMG-2IMG-3
CODE L4A
LBL-4 printed · label, lower right, letters stacked vertically left of size box from IMG-2IMG-3
S
I
Z
E
LBL-5 printed · label, lower right box, right half, diagonal rule between figures from IMG-2IMG-3
100
25
LBL-6 printed · label, bottom line from IMG-2IMG-3
MADE BY PARTRIDGE OF REDDITCH, ENGLAND
LBL-7 handwritten · label, size box, left half from IMG-3
14
LBL-8 handwritten · label, size box, left half from IMG-2
12
Trademark
Small black-framed square at upper left of the label holding a stylized bird silhouette, outlined on the blue field with a dark filled lower body, head to the right. No lettering in the box.
As entered on the specimen record
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
FEATHERWEIGHT
(DOWN EYE) HOOKS
BRONZE
DOWN/EYE
FLAT FORGED
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
BEND
WIDE GAPE
CODE L4A
S
I
Z
E
100
25
MADE BY PARTRIDGE OF REDDITCH, ENGLAND
Layout
Title block at upper right and specification list at lower left. 'CODE L4A' sits in a box at the right. The word SIZE runs vertically beside a box whose left half is blank and whose right half holds 100 above 25, split by a diagonal rule. The maker line runs along the bottom. A short mark after 'CAPTAIN HAMILTON' in the list may be a hyphen or an ink artifact. The bottom line is slightly ink-clogged.
Later marks
'14' in ink in the left half of the size box.

Care of this specimen: Handle by the edges and store flat, without rubbing the lower border.

Blue label with a black border on a Partridge L4A packet, size 12 written by hand, behind clear plastic film.
Open full size
Blue label with a black border on a Partridge L4A packet, size 14 written by hand, behind clear plastic film.
Open full size

S2 · Blue-label packet, size 12

Size
12 (printed on the label)
Container
Packet
Packaging condition
Good — moderate wear, legible
Wear
label, black border, lower edge and left side: Black ink chipped along the lower edge and lower left corner with blue paper showing; scrape marks near the left edge. LBL-9
Wear
label, black border, lower edge and right side: Black ink chipped along the lower edge near the centre and right with blue paper showing; plastic film creased at both sides. LBL-10
Photographs
IMG-2

The label is seen behind clear plastic film; the packet's back and contents are not shown. Black border ink is chipped along the lower edge near the center and right with blue paper showing, and the film is creased at both sides. No hook photograph is assigned to this packet.

What the label says

LBL-1 printed · label, upper right from IMG-2IMG-3
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
FEATHERWEIGHT
(DOWN EYE) HOOKS
LBL-2 printed · label, lower left from IMG-2IMG-3
BRONZE
DOWN/EYE
FLAT FORGED
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
BEND
WIDE GAPE
LBL-3 printed · label, right of centre, boxed from IMG-2IMG-3
CODE L4A
LBL-4 printed · label, lower right, letters stacked vertically left of size box from IMG-2IMG-3
S
I
Z
E
LBL-5 printed · label, lower right box, right half, diagonal rule between figures from IMG-2IMG-3
100
25
LBL-6 printed · label, bottom line from IMG-2IMG-3
MADE BY PARTRIDGE OF REDDITCH, ENGLAND
LBL-7 handwritten · label, size box, left half from IMG-3
14
LBL-8 handwritten · label, size box, left half from IMG-2
12
Trademark
Small black-framed square at upper left of the label holding a stylized bird silhouette, outlined on the blue field with a dark filled lower body, head to the right. No lettering in the box.
As entered on the specimen record
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
FEATHERWEIGHT
(DOWN EYE) HOOKS
BRONZE
DOWN/EYE
FLAT FORGED
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
BEND
WIDE GAPE
CODE L4A
S
I
Z
E
100
25
MADE BY PARTRIDGE OF REDDITCH, ENGLAND
Layout
Layout and printed text match the size 14 label: title block at upper right, specification list at lower left, 'CODE L4A' in a box, vertical SIZE beside a split box, and the maker line along the bottom. A short mark after 'CAPTAIN HAMILTON' in the list may be a hyphen or an ink artifact. The bottom line is slightly ink-clogged.
Later marks
'12' in ink in the left half of the size box.

Care of this specimen: Handle by the edges and store flat, without rubbing the lower border.

Front of the Partridge L4A green hanger card with the PARTRIDGE wordmark, a bird silhouette, printed code, size and quantity boxes, and a bag of hooks.
Open full size
Back of the Partridge L4A green hanger card: Union Jack illustration, description text, and a Redditch address and telephone number.
Open full size

S3 · Green hanger card, size 12

Size
12 (printed on the label)
Container
Card
Hook condition
One hook photographed: complete and intact, with a few dust specks on the finish. (P)
Packaging condition
Very Good — light wear, fully legible
Wear
front, across wordmark and title lines: Fine scratches cross the 'OF REDDITCH' line and the 'CAPTAIN HAMILTON' and 'FEATHERWEIGHT DRY FLY D/E' lines; small dark rectangle at the upper-left edge of the green panel (possibly a staple). LBL-21
Wear
back, lower right of centre: Tan stain about two-thirds down the card at the right; scattered dark specks and faint soiling across the card. LBL-22
Photographs
IMG-5IMG-4IMG-6

Fine scratches cross the wordmark and title lines on the front. A tan stain sits at the lower right of the back, with scattered specks and faint soiling; no tears are visible. A small dark rectangle at the upper-left edge of the green panel may be a staple. Only a few hooks are visible in the bag, so the count cannot be determined P. The back and the hook photograph are matched to this card by their titles.

What the label says

LBL-11 trademark · front, green header panel, upper centre from IMG-5
PARTRIDGE
OF REDDITCH
LBL-12 printed · front, green panel, below wordmark from IMG-5
FINEST HANDMADE BRITISH FISH HOOKS
LBL-13 printed · front, white panel, upper from IMG-5
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
FEATHERWEIGHT DRY FLY D/E
LBL-14 printed · front, white panel, left box and caption from IMG-5
L4A
Code
LBL-15 printed · front, white panel, middle box and caption from IMG-5
12
Size
LBL-16 printed · front, white panel, right box and caption from IMG-5
25
Qty
LBL-17 printed · back, upper right, beside flag from IMG-4
Partridge of Redditch, makers bby hand of the
finest British fly hooks since the start of the
century - World renown for their quality.
LBL-18 printed · back, left, below flag from IMG-4
A very fine wire dry fly hook for high floating and hackle flies
LBL-19 printed · back, left, below the description line from IMG-4
Bronze finish
LBL-20 printed · back, bottom from IMG-4
PARTRIDGE OF REDDITCH
REDDITCH, WORCESTERSHIRE
B97 4JE ENGLAND
Tel: +44 1527 541380 Fax: 546956
Trademark
Front: large white serif PARTRIDGE wordmark with OF REDDITCH below on the green panel; below it a white bird silhouette with a black head and dark base, head to the right. Back: Union Jack flag illustration at upper left, with a green bar along the top edge.
As entered on the specimen record
PARTRIDGE
OF REDDITCH
FINEST HANDMADE BRITISH FISH HOOKS
CAPTAIN HAMILTON
FEATHERWEIGHT DRY FLY D/E
L4A
Code
12
Size
25
Qty

Partridge of Redditch, makers bby hand of the
finest British fly hooks since the start of the
century - World renown for their quality.
A very fine wire dry fly hook for high floating and hackle flies
Bronze finish
PARTRIDGE OF REDDITCH
REDDITCH, WORCESTERSHIRE
B97 4JE ENGLAND
Tel: +44 1527 541380 Fax: 546956
Layout
Front: PARTRIDGE wordmark with OF REDDITCH below on a green header panel, with the strapline beneath. The white panel below carries the title lines and three boxes with the captions Code, Size and Qty. Back: Union Jack illustration at upper left with the first text block beside it, the description and finish lines below, and the address and telephone block at the bottom.
Typeface
The PARTRIDGE wordmark is in large white serif capitals.

Storage and Preservation

Store packages flat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the hooks in the original bag or on the original card, and do not clean or polish them.

Pattern history and manufacturer context

Series

A Partridge range listing, reproduced on a hobbyist page, lists the L3A as a Captain Hamilton dry fly hook with a down eye, an almost round forged bend and a wide gape. The up-eye version carries the code L3B V. The same listing carries the L4A in sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, and the H1A as a Captain Hamilton nymph hook V.

Design lineage

In a 1997 interview, Partridge said the first hooks the firm made were trout hooks for a Captain Hamilton in 1903 V.

One tyer’s account places Captain Hamilton in New Zealand and says his hooks became the L series: the L2A a heavy wet fly hook, the L3A a standard dry fly hook and the L4A a light-wire hook V. Neither source dates the L series.

Dating

The green hanger card prints the telephone number +44 1527 541380 P. The Redditch code 01527 replaced 0527 on 16 April 1995 V, so that card is later than April 1995 I. A Partridge range listing reproduced on a page with a February 1999 note includes the L4A V. The blue label carries no date, telephone number or address P. Production dates for the model are not established.

Designer

The original Captain Hamilton hook was commissioned in 1903 by a customer named Captain Hamilton for trout fishing in New Zealand. The identity and biographical details of Captain Hamilton himself remain obscure in published sources; Partridge’s corporate history does not elaborate beyond noting his role as the commissioning angler. The hook’s success, however, established his name as a lasting legacy in fly fishing, with dozens of contemporary and vintage fly patterns bearing his name across multiple manufacturers’ catalogs.

Partridge of Redditch — Partridge began in needle making, and its premises came into use in 1927 V. Alan Bramley bought the firm in 1970 or the mid-1970s, depending on the source V. Mustad took over in 1996 per a dealer page V. Read the maker’s history →

Use

  • Dry fly

Primary application

The packaging names the L4A as a dry fly hook. The green card front reads ‘FEATHERWEIGHT DRY FLY D/E’, and its back gives the use as high floating and hackle flies P.

A Partridge range listing words the same description with ‘no hackle flies’ V.

Collecting and buying

8 / 10CollectabilityRarity: Uncommon

Rated 8/10. The Captain Hamilton L4A is increasingly difficult to find, especially in size 14. Collector demand is strong among traditional dry fly tiers and Partridge specialists, but the absolute scarcity is limited by the volumes Partridge produced during the 1950s-1970s. Larger sizes remain common; size 14 is genuinely scarce. Original packaging in good condition is the primary value driver.

Basis: Rating rests on a Partridge range listing of six sizes; no surviving-package count or sold results are recorded.

The rarity of particular sizes and packaging formats is not recorded, and neither are dealer availability or collector demand. Dated sold listings would allow a value range to be added.

Market value

Insufficient recorded sales data to estimate a reliable value.

0 sold observations recorded; 2 are needed, with the basis and date of the range, before a value is shown. Asking prices are shown as asking prices only.

No recorded sold sales support a value range for this model.

Modern equivalents and related hooks

Best matchRelated by Attribute

Computed automatically from catalog data — updated as new hooks are added.

SilhouetteHook ModelMatchAnalysisCompare
E6A No. 10 — E6A 4X Fine Short Length Down Eye Hooks silhouetteE6A No. 10 — E6A 4X Fine Short Length Down Eye Hooks81%Matches: Bend, Eye, Eye Orient., Point, Finish +5 moreDiffers: Shank: Standard vs Short (1X–2X Short); Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Standard; Gap: Wide vs Standard +1 moreCompare
2x Fine Wire TDE No. 16 — Red Label silhouette2x Fine Wire TDE No. 16 — Red Label81%Matches: Bend, Shank, Wire, Eye, Eye Orient. +6 moreDiffers: Gap: Wide vs Standard; Application: Dry Fly vs Dry Fly, Wet Fly, NymphCompare
L3A No. 12 — Captain Hamilton Dry Fly (Down Eye) silhouetteL3A No. 12 — Captain Hamilton Dry Fly (Down Eye)77%Matches: Bend, Shank, Gap, Eye, Eye Orient. +5 moreDiffers: Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Standard; Forging: Forged vs Round; Application: Dry Fly vs Dry Fly, Wet Fly, Nymph +3 moreCompare
4xFF — 4x Fine Forged silhouette4xFF — 4x Fine Forged77%Matches: Bend, Shank, Eye, Eye Orient., Point +5 moreDiffers: Wire: Fine (1X Fine) vs Standard; Gap: Wide vs Standard; Application: Dry Fly vs Dry Fly, Wet Fly, NymphCompare
D5B No. 8 — D5B Mayfly silhouetteD5B No. 8 — D5B Mayfly77%Matches: Bend, Wire, Gap, Eye, Point +5 moreDiffers: Shank: Standard vs 2X Long; Eye Orient.: Turned Down vs Turned Up; Forging: Forged vs Round +3 moreCompare

ExploratoryRelated by Shape (SVG)

Ranked purely by silhouette geometry — attribute labels are ignored.

SilhouetteHook ModelMatchCompare
L3A No. 12 — Captain Hamilton Dry Fly (Down Eye) silhouetteL3A No. 12 — Captain Hamilton Dry Fly (Down Eye)69%Compare
L2A No. 10 — Captain Hamilton Medium Weight Wet Fly Hook silhouetteL2A No. 10 — Captain Hamilton Medium Weight Wet Fly Hook69%Compare
E6A No. 10 — E6A 4X Fine Short Length Down Eye Hooks silhouetteE6A No. 10 — E6A 4X Fine Short Length Down Eye Hooks69%Compare
CS2 BL No. 10 — S.E.B. XX Strong Lure Hook silhouetteCS2 BL No. 10 — S.E.B. XX Strong Lure Hook63%Compare
57552 No. 1 — Hameçons Ronds silhouette57552 No. 1 — Hameçons Ronds61%Compare

Sources, open questions, and record notes

Sources & Documentation

This specimen and its packaging — photographed, 6 images
Supports: hook type applicationsize documentedquantity per packageconstructioneyebendwirebarbfinishoverall lengthgap widthdating rangepackagingfly patternsfun factfun fact titlemeta descriptionsummaryprimary applicationidentificationtechnical notes

Entry last updated June 8, 2026. Entries are updated as new specimens, measurements, or documents come to light.