What say Ye? Cork decoys.

Troy,
Dale Dalrymple of Dales Decoy Den should be able to age help you, he is very knowledgeable of L.L.Beans.
 
Good morning, Troy~


In your first photo - which shows one Drake Mallard with another behind it - the one in the foreground looks like a contemporary Beans - as sold in their catalog today. Note the speculum (albeit in the wrong location) and the rounded ends of the keel.


The bird in the background looks like a close relative - maybe an earlier iteration?- or sold under a different brand name? (maybe Cabela's?) Note the lack of speculum, the all-grey bottom, the keel ends cut at an angle but not rounded, and the fender washer on the head screw. I like the thicker neck, too.



I know that the makers of Beans decoys have changed over time. I think I have heard they are made in Canada nowadays (?).


In any event, they are all nice birds. Two improvements to earlier Beans are: the eased (beveled or rounded) ends of the keels and the proper angle of the paint where bill meets the cheek. These are 2 things I "improve" when I rehab older Beans.


I wonder if the tail inserts extend further forward? Lots of Beans suffer from too-short tail boards and the sterns crack or even break off.


Hope this helps!


SJS





 
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