Please excuse my ignorance as a non-fishing person, but I wonder if any forum member might point me towards any information that may help.

I have four cane rods which belonged to my grandfather who died in 1951. They have been moved many times and have been decaying gently in various garages and sheds since then, until I had a good look at them last week.

Three of the rods bear the legend "Ogden and Scotford, Cheltenham" on the base, but so far I have found out little other than this firm at one time had a base in Leicester Square, had a stall at an exhibition in 1894, and seems to have been started by James Ogden before his daughter later carried on the business as Ogden Smith.

I have basically two questions and would appreciate any advice:
1. How can I find out more about Ogden and Scotford?
2. Is there any safe way I can clean up the brass on the fourth rod without damaging an intriguing inscription beneath the corrosion?

Thanks in advance for any help.