“Snelled Hooks” in Original Wartime Packaging, from Enola Gay Survival Kit — Flown on Hiroshima Mission, Displayed with Paul Tibbets Signed Photograph

Description:

Enola Gay Flown, Emergency Survival Kit Fishing Hook, in its original wartime packaging, marked “Snelled Hooks” and manufactured by the New York Toy & Game Mfg. Co., which was a known government supplier during World War II. The hook was part of the Emergency Survival Kit carried by George R. Caron, the tail gunner aboard the Enola Gay, as a component of the U.S. Army Air Forces Type C-1 Survival Vest, designed to provide basic sustenance should a crew member be forced to parachute into enemy territory or open ocean. Caron, as the plane’s sole gunner and positioned at the rear of the aircraft, carried this very hook as part of his standard-issue survival gear. The hook is handsomely matted below a photograph of the Enola Gay crew members which has been boldly signed by Paul Tibbets. Accompanied by a provenance packet which includes a copy of a notarized letter written and signed by Caron authenticating the unique relic. Displayed in a clamshell matte which measures 10.5” x 13.5.”

This is the first Enola Gay flown relic we have ever offered at Historical Autographs Gallery. It is worth noting that in 2022 Caron’s Army Air Forces cloth survival chart, also carried aboard the Enola Gay, sold at Heritage Auctions for $68,750.

Ex. George Caron - Enola Gay Tail Gunner. 

The copied letter reads, in part:

"This is to certify that the Emergency Sustenance Vest Type C-1 packet was carried by me aboard the B-29, Enola Gay, on Aug. 6, 1945 when we dropped the first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.”

Historical Context:

The Enola Gay departed North Field, Tinian, in the early morning hours of August 6, 1945. Alongside two other B-29 bombers for instrumentation and photography, the mission took approximately six hours to reach Hiroshima. At exactly 8:15 a.m. local time, the “Little Boy” uranium bomb was released, taking 53 seconds to fall from 31,060 feet.

George R. Caron, manning the tail gunner position, not only served as the aircraft’s sole armed defender, but also was the first to visually witness the atomic explosion, capturing the iconic mushroom cloud with his onboard camera. His personal testimony and the survival equipment he carried offer a rare, tangible link to this critical moment in 20th-century history.

Provenance & Documentation:

Includes a copy of an original Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) by George R. Caron, dated May 27, 1989, with double signature and notary seal attesting to the authenticity of the flown Emergency Survival Kit.

Additional Documentation & Provenance: 

At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:

This museum-worthy artifact offers a tangible connection to one of the most consequential missions in modern history. Preserved in its original wartime packaging and accompanied by the signature of Paul W. Tibbets, the pilot who commanded the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, this survival hook speaks not only to the planning and preparation behind the Enola Gay mission but also to the human element of those who carried it out. An exceptional acquisition for any advanced collector of World War II, aviation, or Manhattan Project memorabilia.

Shipping Notice:


For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.