![Hat Off :Hat:](./images/smilies/icon_takehatoff.gif)
Lurking amongst a bundle of old rod sections on ‘that’ auction website was an item described as a ‘rest’ but which looked far more like an old landing net head to my eyes. With no bidders, and seconds to go, I decided to take a punt on it. This is what has arrived and I’m hoping someone can shed some light on it for me please.
![Image](http://i63.tinypic.com/154kcwp.jpg)
It is indeed a landing net; brass spreader mechanism with some type of wood arms that taper down to tube end fittings (one of which has been replaced with a non-brass tube) and a short whole cane handle that looks like it had a ferrule at one time on the far end, presumably for a handle extension.
![Image](http://i66.tinypic.com/2w7obuv.jpg)
![Image](http://i63.tinypic.com/1zqpzb7.jpg)
The maker’s marks on the brass spreader read - J Atherton and Son - on one side and - Sheffield - on the reverse.
The head mechanism is quite clever, unscrew the head from the handle by just a little and you can open or close the arms, tightening up locks the head open nice and securely.
![Image](http://i63.tinypic.com/213ontj.jpg)
![Image](http://i67.tinypic.com/2myxbfo.jpg)
What has surprised me is that the thread to connect the head to the handle is not the standard 3/8 bsf that one might expect
![Confused :Confused:](./images/smilies/icon_think.gif)
So this has got me wondering if the net has some age to it... does it precede the introduction of a standard thread for fishing tackle?
Whatever it is, I think it's great and am thinking of doing it up to make a useable net, but wanted to check before I commit sacrilege by ‘customising’ something that might prove to be rare or valuable
![Scared :Scared:](./images/smilies/icon_scared.gif)
Over to you Gents
![Hat Off :Hat:](./images/smilies/icon_takehatoff.gif)