DontKnowMuch wrote: ↑Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:45 pm
The information given in Kevin Clifford's
A History .... should be a reliable guide.
As follows:
First version- October 1952: Trumpet handle, hook-keeper, shoulder collar, dark built cane. Concentric red, green or black whippings, clear or brown butt and tip rings. Transfer -- 'B.James & Son, Ealing, London'.
Second version- 1955: Onion handle , hook-keeper, no shoulder collar, dark built cane. Concentric red or green whippings, brown coloured butt and tip rings. Transfer logo -- 'B.James & Son, Ealing, London'.
Third version- 1956/1957: Onion handle, hook-keeper, small shoulder collar, medium brown coloured cane, concentric red or green whippings, brown coloured butt and tip rings. Transfer logo -- 'B.James & Son, London, England'.
Fourth version- 1958: Bulbous handle, no shoulder collar or hook keeper, lighter coloured cane, increased test curve, red whippings, brown coloured butt and tip rings. Transfer logo -- 'B.James & Son, England'.
Taking the above into account I think this should only be used as a guide as not all rods out there conform to these descriptions and there are some characteristics which overlapped the different versions. One of my MKIVs for example has all the details mentioned in the third version but has the bulbous (doughnut) handle. I'm figuring its either a late 1957 or an early 1958