The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

That's the rod, I have it now and it still looks in the same condition.

Any idea on what model it is nobby.

No I never did work it out. It appeared to have been re-ringed at some time in the past and the rings put in what I thought were strange positions, so I re-ringed it where I thought they ought to be...hence the pale patches where whippings had previously been.

Being all brass furniture I guess it's from the Forties or possibly even pre-War with that pocketed lower reel band, which might mean it was made not in Bromley but at The Elephant and Castle. I've never seen another rod like it.


Here's some info from an American site...mistakenly the poster thought they had ceased trading when they had in fact moved to Kent:

Modarcom = Modern Arms Company
Established in 1923 at 133 Fenchurch Street, the firm bought from the trade in Birmingham and Belgium. In 1924 they moved to 110 Southwark Street, and in 1925 to Marshallsea Road. In 1928 they became a limited liability company (Modern Arms Co Ltd) and in 1932 moved to 58 Southwark Bridge Road. They were not recorded after 1942, making them a likely casualty of the Battle of Britain.


From Graces Guide
of Marco Works, Pembroke Road, Widmore, Bromley, Kent. Telephone: Ravensbourne 3483. Cables: "Modarcom, London". Works: Redditch, Worcs.

•1923 Established at 133 Fenchurch Street.
•1928 Became a limited liability company. [1]
•1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Fishing Rods, Reels and all Tackle. Sporting Guns, Air Guns, Air Pistols and Ammunition, Educational Drawing Equipment, Fishing Tackle. (Olympia, 1st Floor, Stand No. F.1806) [2



MODERN ARMS COMPANY LIMITED
Company Number
00218419
Status
Dissolved
Incorporation Date
23 December 1926 (over 86 years ago)
Dissolution Date
29 October 1996
Company Type
Private Limited Company
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Registered Address
265 HIGH STREET, DORKING
SURREY
RH4 1RL
United Kingdom
SIC Codes
93.05 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified
Directors/ Officers
inactive EDWARD GEORGE ALEXANDER PRANCE, secretary, 11 Jun 1992-
inactive EDWARD GEORGE ALEXANDER PRANCE, director, 11 Jun 1992-
inactive MARGARET BRENDA PRANCE, director, 11 Jun 1992-
Registry Page




MODERN ARMS CO (UK) LTD
Company Number
01413640
Status
Dissolved
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Directors/ Officers
inactive GEOFFREY SHERATON FOX, secretary, 29 Jan 1993-
inactive GEOFFREY SHERATON FOX, director, 29 Jan 1993-
inactive ALUN JAMES NORMAN, director, 29 Jan 1993-
Registry Page


I'm told they kept going until the late Seventies...longer than most.

Many thanks nobby, never realized it was that old

Just won what I believe to be a Marco 'Test' ... 10ft. 6in version with what could possibly be a 'factory made' extra short leger tip with a 'tulip' tip guide.

It has the 'Happy Fisherman' transfer, what looks to be a 'Test' inscription in the rather blurred photo ... and black whippings throughout on all 4 sections. I'll confirm when it arrives.

The rod that I used today is a Test. That was also whipped in black originally and has a factory made short top (albeit with a low agate tip, not a tulip). Nice rods!

Funnily enough I must have unknowingly walked past the Marco premises yesterday, at 58 Southwark Bridge Road, on the way to the Imperial War Museum.

Looks like a Test to me. Hope you like it.