Absolutely, Wefalck. Another hour of searching (I type slowly ...from the shoulder) and I found some relevant photos (I've uploaded an album "19th Century Sloops"). I'm still a bit unsure how I'll lead the sheet with the clew dipping below the throat but maybe, when I get the sail turned around and on a yard, it'll meet the mast at the throat. Or, like some in the album, there will be a gap. The one I see where there is a dip below the gaff, I think it appears to be lead to the main boom. Not sure how that would work.
As for the cloth; you're right about that too. I didn't loft these. It seems to be prevalent in pond boats that the design is more of a modern style. These sails on my boat are one piece cotton with stitching to simulate lofted sails. I expect from the quality of work that this is a novice's home-built pond boat of no particular make. A run of the mill sloop / perhaps cutter. Her hull dimensions are LOD 23.5", LWL 22.75", Beam 4.5", Draft 4.5", Freeboard 1.25" (with no sheer), Mast step is 10" aft of stem on deck. The bow is a spoon bow that is quite like that of a cat boat. From my rigging setup I’ve determined these staysails had their tacks made fast about 1.5” apart from one another, on a 3” bow sprit.
Quite good for what it is, I've rescued it at a bargain price which will no doubt run me a goodly sum to finish up but, a good winter project.
Where is the best place to shop for small fittings if I'm not too concerned with authenticity? (Or should I start a second thread?)