I was recently asked by a non-fishing friend to help research the nature and potential value of five cane rods that have been inherited. Since all I know about bamboo rods is which end to hold, I am seeking advice and opinions from the experts on this forum. (Sometimes I think that's all I know about graphite as well, but I guess my casting problems belong in another forum.) Anyway, four of the five rods are Orvis, three from the 50s and one from the early 40s, I think. I'll describe those in a separate post to follow this one.
The more intriguing rod is an H.L. Leonard. The tag indicates that it is 8 feet and 4 ounces. My tape measure confirms the assembled length (with either tip section) and my kitchen scale says 4 1/8 ounces, again with either tip. It is 3-piece with two tips, light blond in color with wraps the color of the honey in my kitchen cabinet. All four sections are essentially the same length at 32 9/16 inches end to end. There are no identifying marks anywhere on the rod that I can find, except for the Leonard stamp on the butt cap, which reads:
The
Leonard
Rod
H.L. Leonard Rod Co
Makers
Reg U.S. Pat Off
I can find no other engraving on the reel seat or ferrules, and no writing or numbers on the sections themselves. The tag, however, gives the rod number as 50-0197 (those first four digits and the last digit appearing to be unmistakable, and the "9" being my best interpretation of what I see. Someone wrote the number "4" on the back of the tag, which I take to mean that he or she believed it to be a 4-weight. The tag also has what appears to be someone's name on the first line, which I am having a hell of a time interpreting (T.L. Tush??)
The reel seat is down-locking with a screw ring, metal above and an attractive wood insert on the butt end. The stripping guide and tip-tops appear to be plain (i.e., no agate or anything). The wraps are the single honey color, i.e., none of the red ends that I've seen on pictures of other Leonards. The ferrules fit together nicely as far as I can tell, and have some minor tarnish on them. None of the guides are loose.
There are no obvious signs of damage, repair, or re-finishing to the rod; but, as stated, I know nothing about this, so I could easily be missing something. The 5 inch cigar grip is in good condition, not even very dirty. The rest of the rod seems similarly in very good condition. Even the hanging tag is in remarkably good shape and clean, maybe suggesting that the rod wasn't often removed from its tube.
The aluminum tube has brass ends, and someone wrote the word "STIFF" on the tube. The rod bag is light gray in color and in good condition. I've seen references to "stiffeners", which I take to be some something inserted into the bag to keep it straight? Anyhow, this bag doesn't appear to have one.
I don't have a micrometer, so can't provide the taper information. If that is needed, then I can arrange to get it done.
I intended to post pictures with this, but this is my first time posting to this forum, and I can't figure out how to add images. If someone can talk me through that, I'll add them in a subsequent post.
That's it, though I'm happy to try to answer any additional questions. Could this be one of the unmarked Leonard #50 rods that I've seen reference to? Any estimates as to when it was made? And finally, any estimates as to its approximate value? My friend will appreciate any and all information. As for me, I'm having so much fun doing the research and learning about bamboo that I almost don't want to know. But tell me anyway, please.
Tom
