{"id":8489,"date":"2025-03-13T21:54:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T21:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/?page_id=8489"},"modified":"2026-06-10T13:50:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T13:50:49","slug":"o-mustad-son-hooks-3295","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/hook-reference\/o-mustad-son-hooks\/o-mustad-son-hooks-3295\/","title":{"rendered":"Mustad Hooks &#8211; 3295"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8487,"parent":7980,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-hook-reference.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_title":"Mustad 3295 Chestertown Hook \u2014 Mustad Hook Reference | garrenwood.com","rank_math_description":"Mustad Quality 3295 Chestertown hook, size No. 11, c. 1950-1965. Extra long shank blind eye pattern for winter flounder fishing. Original Norwegian manufacture.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"gw_hook_concept":[],"class_list":["post-8489","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry","has-media"],"acf":{"manufacturer":"mustad","_sub_brand":"","model_code":"3295","hook_name":"Chestertown","designer__collaborator":"","country_of_origin":"norway","size_documented":"No. 11","era_text":"c. 1950-1965","era_start_year":1950,"era_end_year":1965,"at_a_glance_summary":"The Mustad 3295 Chestertown represents one of the most specialized hook designs in American saltwater angling history (P). This Norwegian-manufactured hook features an extra long shank with marked ridges and a distinctively narrow Sproat bend, engineered specifically for winter flounder fishing along the Atlantic Northeast coast (P).\r\n\r\nThe 'Marked Black' japanned finish provided essential corrosion resistance for saltwater use, while the blind eye construction with marked ridges offered superior bait-holding capability (P). Dating from the classic mid-20th century era based on the red Key Brand label with snowflake border and Oslo marking (E), this size No. 11 example showcases the peak of purpose-built hook engineering.\r\n\r\nNamed after Chestertown, Maryland on the Chester River tributary of Chesapeake Bay, this pattern solved two critical problems: the narrow gap fit easily into small flounder mouths, while the extra long shank provided leverage for deep hook removal (V). Today highly sought by collectors of vintage saltwater tackle and historical fishing patterns.","spec_bar_items":"Blind Eye (Marked)\r\nExtra Long Shank\r\nNarrow Gap Sproat Bend\r\nMarked Black Japanned","flyhooks_url":"","svg_filename":"Mustad_3295_A_Hook_Size_8.svg","filebird_folder_id":93,"flies_tied_on_folder_id":"","eye_type":"blind_marked","eye_orientation":"na","eye_notes":"Blind eye construction with marked ridged surface for traditional snelling technique (P)","wire_gauge":"std","wire_profile":"round","wire_diameter_est":"","shank_length_category":"extra_long","shank_features":["marked_ridged"],"bend_family":"sproat","bend_notes":"Classic narrow-gap Sproat bend characteristic of Chestertown pattern, optimized for small-mouthed species (P)","point_style":"standard_spear","finish":"japanned","finish_confidence":"confirmed","finish_notes":"Original 'Marked Black' japanned finish shows characteristic deep black color with slight metallic undertone typical of mid-20th century application (P)","forged":false,"offset_kirbed":false,"gap_category":"narrow","barb_notes":"Standard cut barb with moderate sweep angle, proportioned for size No. 11 specification (P)","condition_notes":"Box shows typical age toning with intact red label. Hooks appear unused with original japanned finish showing minor storage spotting typical of the era.","spec_line_text":"","tech_specs_notes":"The extra long shank serves dual purposes: providing leverage for hook removal when fish swallow bait deeply, and offering extended space for bait presentation that appears more natural to cautious feeders like winter flounder (P). The marked ridges create mechanical grip points that help prevent bait from sliding down the shank during casting and retrieval.\r\n\r\nThe narrow gap Sproat bend geometry ensures the hook point maintains proper orientation relative to the shank while fitting easily into small mouths. The heavy wire gauge provides strength for saltwater use and the leverage forces created by the long shank, while the japanned finish offers corrosion resistance essential for marine environments.","hook_ply":"","barbless":false,"measurements_available":true,"measurement_method":"grid_derived","size_measured":"","overall_length":"~1.80\"-1.90\" (~45.7-48.3 mm) (E)","shank_length":"~1.40\"-1.50\" (~35.6-38.1 mm) (E)","gap_width":"~0.50\"-0.60\" (~12.7-15.2 mm) (E)","bend_depth":"~0.30\"-0.40\" (~7.6-10.2 mm) (E)","wire_diameter_measured":"","shank_gap_ratio":"~2.6-2.7 : 1","weight":"","measurement_notes":"Overall length: approximately 18 squares = 1.80\". Shank length: approximately 14.5 squares = 1.45\". Gap width: approximately 5.5 squares = 0.55\". Measurements derived from counting grid squares, each representing 0.1\".","cumulative_records_note":"","manufacturer_history":"O. Mustad &amp; Son, founded in 1832 in Gj\u00f8vik, Norway by Ole Mustad, grew to become the world's largest hook manufacturer through industrial innovation and global distribution (V). The company pioneered mass production techniques that revolutionized hook manufacturing, moving from hand-forged individual pieces to mechanized production that could supply the rapidly expanding commercial and recreational fishing markets of the 19th and 20th centuries.\r\n\r\nBy the mid-20th century when this 3295 was produced, Mustad operated from their Oslo facilities and had established the 'Key Brand' as their premium quality designation. The company's Norwegian location provided access to high-quality steel and a maritime culture that understood fishing requirements, leading to hooks that balanced strength, sharpness, and corrosion resistance for demanding saltwater applications.","series_history":"The Chestertown series represents Mustad's response to the specific needs of Mid-Atlantic estuarine fishing, particularly the winter flounder fishery that was crucial to both commercial and recreational anglers (V). <cite>The pattern was later continued as the 3300 series, though that model was eventually discontinued<\/cite>, making vintage examples like this 3295 increasingly valuable to collectors.\r\n\r\nThe series was characterized by the combination of extra long shank, marked ridges for bait retention, and the narrow gap Sproat bend that defined its functionality. Multiple size offerings allowed anglers to match local conditions and target species, with the larger sizes like this No. 11 suited to substantial winter flounder and similar species.","named_collaborator_bio":"","era_dating_reasoning":"Red paper label with Key Brand logo and snowflake border pattern typical of mid-20th century Mustad packaging. Oslo marking indicates post-1925 production when name changed from Christiania. Box construction and print quality consistent with 1950s-1960s era. No barcode present confirms pre-1974 production.","fun_fact":"The Chestertown hook was so closely associated with winter flounder fishing that many Mid-Atlantic anglers simply called them 'flounder hooks' regardless of the manufacturer. The pattern was named after Chestertown, Maryland, located on the Chester River where the distinctive narrow-gap design proved perfect for the area's abundant but small-mouthed winter flounder population.","fun_fact_title":"The Flounder Hook","manufactured_size_range":"","hook_sizes":[{"size_label":"(unspecified)","size_sort_key":0,"size_documented":true,"size_confidence":"P","overall_length_mm":"","overall_length":"~1.80\"-1.90\" (~45.7-48.3 mm) (E)","shank_length":"~1.40\"-1.50\" (~35.6-38.1 mm) (E)","gap_width":"~0.50\"-0.60\" (~12.7-15.2 mm) (E)","bend_depth":"~0.30\"-0.40\" (~7.6-10.2 mm) (E)","wire_diameter":"","weight":"","shank_gap_ratio":"~2.6-2.7 : 1","measurement_method":"grid_derived","svg_override":""}],"spec_bar_short":"","design_lineage":"The Chestertown design evolved from traditional long-shank bait hooks but incorporated specific geometric refinements for flounder fishing. The narrow gap Sproat bend differentiated it from broader patterns like the O'Shaughnessy, while the marked shank provided bait-holding capability without the complexity of true baitholder barbs.\r\n\r\nThis 3295 model number was eventually superseded by the 3300 series, which maintained the essential Chestertown geometry while updating manufacturing processes. The blind eye construction reflects the era when ringed eyes were less common on utility bait hooks, with the marked flat eye providing secure line attachment through the traditional snelling technique.","related_models":[{"model_code_related":"3295","description":"This model - Chestertown pattern, extra long shank, blind eye","relationship":"this_model","related_model_url":""},{"model_code_related":"3300","description":"Later Chestertown pattern with ringed eye, now discontinued","relationship":"later","related_model_url":""},{"model_code_related":"3793","description":"Related Chestertown variant with different specifications","relationship":"variant","related_model_url":""}],"primary_application":"Designed specifically for winter flounder fishing in Atlantic Northeast waters. The extra long shank and narrow gap combination allowed easy insertion into small flounder mouths while providing leverage for hook removal when fish swallowed bait deeply.","secondary_applications":"Also used for blowfish, perch, and other small-mouthed species. Creative fly tyers use these for long slender streamers and pin-fry imitations.","fly_patterns":"Not typically used for fly tying, though modern tyers adapt for specialized streamer patterns","modern_equivalents":[{"hook_model":"None - pattern discontinued","match_quality":"poor","equiv_notes":"No current direct equivalent maintains the exact Chestertown geometry and blind eye construction","modern_equivalent_url":""}],"hook_type_application":["bait","saltwater"],"collectability_rating":6,"collectability_summary":"Strong historical significance as classic American saltwater pattern, enhanced by discontinued status and connection to regional fishing traditions.","collectability_detail":"<strong>Positive factors:<\/strong> The Chestertown pattern holds legendary status in American saltwater angling, particularly along the Atlantic Northeast where it was the standard for winter flounder fishing. The specific 3295 model number represents the classic era of this design, with authentic period packaging that clearly documents its specifications and Norwegian manufacture. The pattern's discontinuation has increased collector interest, especially among those focused on vintage saltwater tackle.\r\n\r\n<strong>Limiting factors:<\/strong> While historically significant, Chestertown hooks were produced in substantial quantities during their heyday, making individual examples relatively available to collectors. The specialized nature limits appeal to those specifically interested in saltwater angling history rather than broader hook collecting. Condition varies widely among surviving examples, with many showing use or storage deterioration.","rarity":"scarce","market_value_low":15,"market_value_high":35,"market_value_notes":"Prices depend heavily on packaging condition and completeness. Full boxes with intact labels command premium pricing, while loose hooks or partial quantities trade for lower values. Regional interest stronger in Northeast coastal areas where pattern was historically used.","where_to_find":"eBay, specialty fishing tackle shows, antique tackle dealers, estate sales in Mid-Atlantic coastal regions","collector_id_tips":"Verify 'Qual. 3295' model marking and Oslo manufacturer designation. Authentic examples show consistent japanned finish and proper Chestertown bend geometry. Box label should display Key Brand logo with snowflake border pattern.","packaging_format_code":"MUS-BOX-01","packaging_description":"Cardboard box with red paper label featuring Key Brand logo and snowflake\/asterisk border. Label reads 'O. MUSTAD & SON MANUFACTURERS OSLO - NORWAY Qual. 3295 Superior Mustad-Chestertown Hooks Marked Black Extra long shank Made in Norway 100 No. 11'. Classic mid-20th century Mustad presentation.","packaging_condition":"good","ebay_sold_listings":null,"ebay_history":{"ebay_date_range":"","ebay_avg_price":"","ebay_price_range":"","ebay_avg_shipping":"","ebay_total_sellers":"","ebay_data_notes":""},"meta_title":"Mustad 3295 Chestertown Hook \u2014 Mustad Hook Reference | garrenwood.com","meta_description":"Mustad Quality 3295 Chestertown hook, size No. 11, c. 1950-1965. Extra long shank blind eye pattern for winter flounder fishing. Original Norwegian manufacture.","page_intro_paragraph":"The Mustad Quality 3295 Chestertown hook represents a pinnacle of specialized saltwater bait hook design from the mid-20th century. Manufactured by O. Mustad &amp; Son in Oslo, Norway, this size No. 11 example showcases the extra long shank and narrow gap geometry that made the Chestertown pattern legendary among Atlantic Northeast winter flounder anglers. The marked black japanned finish and blind eye construction reflect the era's emphasis on corrosion resistance and traditional snelling techniques, while the heavy wire gauge provided strength for saltwater use and the leverage demands of the extended shank design.","primary_search_terms":"Mustad 3295, Chestertown hook, winter flounder hook, vintage saltwater hooks, Norwegian fishing hooks, blind eye hooks, extra long shank, marked black finish","image_1_alt":"Mustad 3295 Chestertown Hook Box \u2014 original red label showing manufacturer and specifications \u2014 size No. 11 \u2014 vintage mid-20th century packaging","image_2_alt":"Mustad 3295 Chestertown Hooks \u2014 profile view showing extra long shank and narrow gap bend \u2014 size No. 11 \u2014 black japanned finish","image_3_alt":"Mustad 3295 Point Detail \u2014 close-up of standard spear point and barb \u2014 size No. 11 \u2014 japanned finish","image_4_alt":"","additional_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"preservation_tips","title":"Storage and Preservation","content":"Store in a cool, dry environment away from humidity to prevent further oxidation of the japanned finish. The original cardboard box should be preserved as it significantly enhances collector value - consider archival storage sleeves to protect the label from further deterioration. Hooks can develop light surface rust if exposed to moisture; store with desiccant packets if necessary.\r\n\r\nHandle minimally to preserve the original finish. The marked black japanning, while durable, can chip or wear with handling. If displaying, avoid direct sunlight which can fade the red label over time. Original packaging adds substantial historical value and should be preserved whenever possible."},{"acf_fc_layout":"primary_source_analysis","title":"Package Documentation Analysis","source":"Original Mustad 3295 box label, c. 1950-1965","content":"The red label provides comprehensive specification documentation typical of mid-20th century Mustad presentation. The term 'Superior' appears as a quality designation rather than point style specification, while 'Marked Black' clearly identifies the japanned finish. 'Extra long shank' confirms the extended geometry, and 'Made in Norway' establishes the Gj\u00f8vik\/Oslo manufacturing origin during Mustad's peak production era."},{"acf_fc_layout":"size_anomaly","title":"Size No. 11 Context","content":"Size No. 11 represents a substantial hook in the Chestertown series, suited to larger winter flounder and similar species. The extra long shank becomes particularly pronounced at this size, creating significant leverage advantage for deep hook removal. This size was less common than smaller Chestertown hooks used for typical flounder fishing, making it somewhat more collectible among pattern enthusiasts."}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8489"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19191,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8489\/revisions\/19191"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7980"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"gw_hook_concept","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garrenwood.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gw_hook_concept?post=8489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}