October 24th 2015 Antique Fishing Tackle
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2015
Unknown forged spring hook/mechanical gaff, measuring 6 1/2", marked along the top arm: "Weil's Patent 185-. The last digit is unreadable but it appears that it may be 1859. Our research turned up mention of a patent of "Certain improvements in fish-hooks" (Communicated by Theodore Frederic Weil), British patent# 1135, dated 5 May 1859 by William Edward Newton. Further research required but the hook bears resemblance to so many American hooks of similar nature. Fully functional, center bait hook has a broken barb, otherwise the hook is in all original, uncleanedcondition.