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. I described the Leonard Rod in a post yesterday. This post concerns the Orvis rods: A Bakelite, two Battenkills, and a '99'. None of the rods appear in Mr. Reynolds' database, though hopefully this information will allow him to add them.
I have been unable to upload pictures to this post, but pictures of these rods (and the Leonard from my earlier post) may be seen at http://tom-canerods.blogspot.com/. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Following is a description of each rod:
Style: Bakelite
Serial #: 0193
Length: 8 ½ ft.
Weight: 4 ⅝ oz.
Line Test: HDH
Sections/Tips: 3/2
Measured Section Lengths: Butt: 34 ¼"; Mid: 34 ½; Tip1: 34 ½; Tip2: 34 ¾
Measured Weight (kitchen scale): 4 ⅝ oz.
Comments: I infer from the Reynolds database that this rod would have been made in 1942 or '43, since the earliest production of impregnated rods was in '42, and the serial number is low.
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Style: 99
Serial #: 20526
Length: 7' 2 pc. 11
Weight: 3 ⅜ oz.
Line Test: HDH
Sections/Tips: 2/1
Measured Section Lengths: Butt: 42 ¼"; Tip: 42 ¼
Measured Weight (kitchen scale): 3 ⅜ oz.
Comments: Serial number puts production date of this rod in 1957. The cork on this rod is so clean that I wonder if it has been fished.
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Style: Battenkill
Serial #: 21465
Length: 7 ½' 2 pc. 12
Weight: 3 ¾ oz.
Line Test: HDH
Sections/Tips: 2/2
Measured Section Lengths: Butt: 45 ¼"; Tip1: 45 ¼; Tip2: 45 ¼
Measured Weight (kitchen scale): 3 ¾ oz.
Comments: Serial number puts production date of this rod in 1957.
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Style: Battenkill
Serial #: 22666
Length: 7 ½' 2 pc. 13
Weight: 4 oz.
Line Test: HDH
Sections/Tips: 2/2
Measured Section Lengths: Butt: 45 ¼"; Tip1: 45 ¼; Tip2: 45 ¼
Measured Weight (kitchen scale): 4 ⅛ oz.
Comments: Serial number puts production date of this rod in 1957.
All of these rods appear to be in excellent condition. As mentioned above, the '99' appears to have had little if any use. There are no obvious signs of damage, repair, or re-finishing to the rods; but, since I am new to this, I could easily be missing something. The ferrules fit together nicely as far as I can tell, and none of the guides are loose.
All have rod bags and tubes, with labels that are in variable condition. But most identifying information is legible, and consistent with the markings on the rods. The serial numbers on the tubes and on each rod section match up.
I am not sure about modern line weight equivalents as they apply to these rods. The bamboo rod history page on the Orvis site indicates that HDH would equate to a DT6. But I've seen posts on this forum indicating that line weight might vary with ferrule size and overall weight of the rod. So can anyone help me estimate the line weights that might be appropriate to each of the rods?
I would also appreciate any estimates as to the approximate value of each rod to pass on to my friend, who will appreciate any and all information. I did search the forum before writing this, but didn't find anything matching rods of this vintage in this kind of good condition. Sorry if I'm asking questions that have already been answered.
Again, please see the pictures of each rod at http://tom-canerods.blogspot.com/. Note that there is some distortion in some of the pictures indicating sections that are less than straight. To my eye, every section of every one of these rods is straight.
Thanks to all.
Tom
