I recently purchased an old fishing rod. There was a tag attached to it where the previous owner identified it as an F.E. Thomas split bamboo surf rod. It is 7ft 3" in length. There is a patent date on the reel seat - 5/31/1880. That and the workmanship and materials convinced him that it was made by Thomas at the turn of the century. I didn't pay much for it at the online auction, about $100 with shipping. The pictures didn't convince me of the maker, but except for some loose and missing guides and wraps and darkened varnish, it was a nice-looking rod.
While I awaited its arrival, I started researching. I have a dozen books on old rods and reels and almost every issue of Keane's Rods and Tackle, but, except for some reel seats that "looked" like the one on the rod, I struck out. Then I started Googling the patent date on the reel seat. The only hit was for a fly rod currently on eBay that had the same reel seat. It has positive identification as an early Leonard 3-piece fly rod - 15' 7". I also found an old (1880) Leonard rod with similar-looking features to my rod - I recently purchased an old fishing rod. There was a tag attached to it where the previous owner identified it as an F.E. Thomas split bamboo surf rod. It is 7ft 3" in length. There is a patent date on the reel seat - 3/31/1880. That and the workmanship and materials convinced him that it was made by Thomas at the turn of the century. I didn't pay much for it at the online auction, about $100 with shipping. The pictures didn't convince me of the maker, but except for some loose and missing guides and wraps and darkened varnish, it was a nice-looking rod.
While I awaited its arrival, I started researching. I have a dozen books on old rods and reels and almost every issue of Keane's Rods and Tackle, but, except for some reel seats that "looked" like the one on the rod, I struck out. Then I started Googling the patent date on the reel seat. The only hit was for a fly rod currently on eBay that had the same reel seat. It has positive identification as an early Leonard 3-piece fly rod - 15' 7". I found another Leonard rod at https://www.riveroflifefarm.com/leonard ... 1880-1881/
with features similar to my rod, particularly the reel-seat.
The rod arrived and I'm still happy I bid on it. It is well made but in need of restoration. Before spending the money, I need input as to what I have and where to get the materials. I'll definitely need a source for two bell guides to replace the missing ones closest to the butt end and instructions as to how to measure them. The loose ones are smaller than the ones attached in the middle so I'm pretty sure I need the next larger size to the middle guides. Homel's "Fishing Rods" has an ad indicating that they came in sizes 4 to 10. The fixed reel leads up between the guides so that line, presumably from a Nottingham-type reel can enter the double entry top from either side, minimizing the set occurring from fishing pressure.
Thank you for any information/advice provided. Following are pictures of the rod
https://i.imgur.com/DpI3vZm.jpg
