Antique Spring Loaded Mechanical Job Johnson Fish Hook Trap Lure
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:26110249 | Brand: Johnson |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Material: Metal |
| Fish Species: All Freshwater |
I am putting this on eBay for my father, Bill Blauser, co-author of the book, Spring-LoadedFish Hooks, Traps and Lures, who is paring down his collection……and so there will be others in the coming days, weeks and months.He describes this as being a Pre-Civil War Sockdolager, patented in 1847, with a Hand-Forged bait-hook which is stamped by the inventor and maker….. “JOB JOHNSON BROOKLYN, N.Y.” ….and is in fact the EXACT one that is pictured on page 22 of the&nb...sp;book he co-wrote with the late Tim Mierzwa.He says that not as much was known about these Sockdolagers when the book was written 17 years ago as is known now…..and so, knowing now…….. this hook should not even be on the same page as the 2 smaller ones pictured to its left.This Sockdolager is in a class of its own, as it was made Pre-Civil War, hand-forged and stamped, whereas the two smaller Sockdolagers pictured to its left were Factory-made roughly 50 years later, and are the kind that were sold in theSear’s Catalogue in the early 1900’s.In fact, my father says that it was not even realized by him or Tim that this Sockdolager was even stamped at ALL…..or they would surely have noted that in the book. The reason for this oversight is that the stamping is on the inside of the bait-hook behind the “contractile helical spring” (from Job Johnson’s original patent text) which puts it in a difficult location to see, on top of which it is obscured by the overall black japanning of the hook….all of which makes it impossible for me to get a good photograph of this stamping, but I guarantee that it is there, and have included here the best photo I could take.This trap is 100% original and complete, with a strong spring, and sets beautifully.My dad says that he is only aware of about 5 of these Pre-Civil War Sockdolagers with the Job Johnson stamping in the hands of collectors.This is an investment quality piece and has no reserve.A letter of authentication will be included with the lure to the winner of this auction.Be sure to look at my other auctions for other pieces of his collection.Should you have any questions for my father, he can be reached at (412) 373-8203.
On Sep-23-20 at 07:17:02 PDT, seller added the following information:This Hand-Forged Job Johnson Sockdolager measures 6.25" inches long in the sprung position.
On Sep-28-20 at 06:23:40 PDT, seller added the following information:In answer to some questions I've received....
Yes, the stamping on these early hand-forged sockdolagers is shallow and light to start with.....because if you can imagine, it would be very difficult to stamp a curved piece of small diameter steel rod (the bait-hook) and have it 100% crisp and clear from top to bottom and side to side in the first place...ESPECIALLY when you know that if the stamping is TOO deep, then you are in danger of compromising the integrity of the strength of the steel bait-hook.....and it may BREAK under stress.....and so the stamping was intentionally not deep.
Also as to method of payment....I will take a check (in fact preferred)....or I can take Paypal.....but I have no way of taking a credit card...as I am not a business, but rather just a private, individual.
On Sep-23-20 at 07:17:02 PDT, seller added the following information:This Hand-Forged Job Johnson Sockdolager measures 6.25" inches long in the sprung position.
On Sep-28-20 at 06:23:40 PDT, seller added the following information:In answer to some questions I've received....
Yes, the stamping on these early hand-forged sockdolagers is shallow and light to start with.....because if you can imagine, it would be very difficult to stamp a curved piece of small diameter steel rod (the bait-hook) and have it 100% crisp and clear from top to bottom and side to side in the first place...ESPECIALLY when you know that if the stamping is TOO deep, then you are in danger of compromising the integrity of the strength of the steel bait-hook.....and it may BREAK under stress.....and so the stamping was intentionally not deep.
Also as to method of payment....I will take a check (in fact preferred)....or I can take Paypal.....but I have no way of taking a credit card...as I am not a business, but rather just a private, individual.
