Mason Decoy Factory Premier Grade Merganser Drake

Mason Decoy Factory (1896-1924) Detroit, MI, c. 1915 An exceptionally well-preserved and gunned over Mason decoy in virtually untouched condition. This bird is on par with those featured on the covers of Mason Decoys: A Complete Pictorial Guide by Russ J. Goldberger and Alan G. Haid and Decoys of the Mississippi Flyway by Alan G. Haid. Very few of these premier mergansers have survived intact as gunners did not often target mergansers. “Shelldrakes” are not the best eating waterfowl and hence there was little demand for gunning rigs of these “fish eaters.” This, coupled with the fact that Mason’s premier grade decoys were costly and the standard and challenge grade decoys would suffice, makes Mason decoys of this grade and condition true rarities. Typical of many of Mason’s highest grade cedar decoys, some rust color discoloration has bled through mostly to one side. Very little wear to the original paint, with just a few minor rubs, a very small amount of filler loss at the neck seat; the rigging has been removed.

Literature: John and Shirley Delph, Factory Decoys of Mason, Dodge and Peterson, Exton, PA, 1980, color plate p. 78. Russ Golgberger and Alan Haid, Mason Decoys: A Pictorial Guide, Lewes, DE, 1993, dusk jacket and p. 72. Byron Cheever, Mason Decoys, Spanish Fork, UT, 1974, color plate 118, p. 92.