Yuku free message boards

Bob,

The reel seat and ferrules are very similar to some I've seen on high-end Montague rods from the mid-50's and on Sewell N. Dunton rods. From what I've read, SND bought most of Montague's stock of hardware and cane when they shut down around 1957. Many of SND's rods are duplicates of Montague's models. This rod is strikingly similar to a Montague Manitou model. Similarities include the same number of guides, machined ferrules, and black reel seat insert. Lewis2dl posted a rod very similar to this one back in November. You should check out that thread - http://clarksclassicflyro...reply/109495#reply-109495

I'm leaning towards this being a Sewell N. Dunton rod, equivalent to a Montague Manitou model, because Montague usually used serrated ferrules on these high end rods (yours don't appear to be serrated) and I have not seen this particular winding check on a marked Monty rod (yet). Sewell N. Dunton often used different ferrules, especially the Super Z, split ferrules. Additionally, the cork grip is not the typical shape for a Manitou.

Whatever it is/was, you have a very nice rod!!

Bob,

I suspect both rods were made by the same builder. It's funny, but even the cane and finish appear strikingly similar to me. I would not be surprised if it did not come out of either the Montague or SND shops. I haven't seen enough SND rods to get a good feel for their work. Maybe there are other similar rods floating around out there. A rod this nice deserves a maker's name on it.

Bob,

The only similarities to a Manitou that I see are these -
1) The reel seat hardware is identical (though the metal is not blackened) to the Manitou in 1951 and 1952 catalogs and ads,
2) The number of snake guides is the same as the Manitou,
3) Nickel silver, machine welted ferrules (though very different)

Why (I think) it's not a Montague Manitou -
1) Even a trade rod Manitou would probably maintain the signature wraps,
2) The ferrules do not appear Montyesque,
3) The hardware is not blackened, as I would expect for a Manitou in this era,
4) The cork shape is not consistent with a Manitiou,
5) The winding check is not like any I have seen on a Monty,
6) A factory wrapped Manitou would probably have a hook keeper,

I will stick with my dating of this rod to be 1949 or after, unless somebody can show me this reel seat in an earlier catalog or advertisement.

Theory #1 - Montague Manitou - not likely.
Theory #2 - Sewell N. Dunton Manitou - possible.
Theory #3 - Gene Edwards trade rod - not my expertise.
Theory #4 - Custom rod by somebody else - Neither your rod, nor Dean's are labeled. This leads me to believe that they could be custom rods, by who knows who, built who knows when. Even the winding checks are different, though similar, so there's a chance that somebody was using whatever parts they had on hand, or ordered specifically for building a few nice rods. This could explain the rod having a Montague reel seat, older snake guides, and another maker's ferrules. Just another theory that may not get us any closer to a definitive answer.

By the way, that's a nice looking 1949-1950ish Manitou you have there for comparison!! I would expect that the model name and recommended line are inscribed on the cane in yellow or white script. That rod is a perfect example of the reel seat hardware used on the Manitou and Red Wing in 1949 and 1950. From 1950 forward, both of these rods are advertised with hardware like your mystery rod. 1948 and earlier, both rods were advertised with the more common Screwlock style with the independent screw nut and sliding band.