Old Town Car Topper Runabout Paddle Authentication

[bigalfishman@yahoo.com]

I recently purchase a 12 ft Old Town Car Topper Runabout.
I can verify that the Bronze Oar Locks are original but I'm not sure about the paddles.
Estimated age is around 1953 and the paddles have been painted green with no visible OT Decal.
Any help would sincerely be appreciated.
Happy Paddling,
Al Newcomb

 

[Benson Gray]

Those oars don't look like the typical Old Town ones from 1953. They were also using leather stop buttons during that period instead of rope and plastic. The attached page from the 1953 catalog offers an example of what the factory oars look like. More information like this is available at http://store.wcha.org/The-Complete-Old-Town-Canoe-Company-Catalog-Collection-CD-ROM.html in the Old Town catalog collection.

Benson

 

[bigalfishman@yahoo.com]

Thank You Benson. I appreciate your imput.
Sincerely,
Al Newcomb