Wondering if anyone can provide any info on the rod pictured below.. anything would be appreciated.

The Rod was passed on to my father-in-law (58 now) from a Mr Marr, Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen (not too far away from the Dee). My father-in-law's auntie was housekeeper for Mr Marr. Mr Marr died approx 35 years ago.

Thanks in advance.. Debbie.

__________________
"Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up."
~by Arnold Gingrich, 1969~

Sorry Debbie, I havn't got a clue.
I have a lovely old cane rod left to me by my father with exactly the same locking joints, but they may have been common then, there is no makers name on my rod either.
It may be an early Sonik.

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

lol

__________________
"Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up."
~by Arnold Gingrich, 1969~

Steven,

Nice to see your new avatar..

Debs..

__________________
"Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up."
~by Arnold Gingrich, 1969~

Yes nice to see Dad every time, I don't know what he would say if he knew his picture was plastered all over the internet, Computers for the masses were just coming out when he passed away.
But I have a sneaky feeling he would be pleased.
Cheers S

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Hard to tell with these old Greenheart rods unless there is a makers name or logo, can be stamped on one of the butt fittings somewhere. Looks to me like either a heavy spinning rod or more likely a Trolling rod. Certainly from a good maker as I note the lockfast ferrules which were a Hardy patent but were used by other good makers as well, notably Farlows & there was a good Inverness rod maker of Greenheart who name escapes me at the moment.
One for the wall with a nice 6" centre pin to compliment it.
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

[QUOTE=FLYGIRL;295602]Wondering if anyone can provide any info on the rod pictured below.. anything would be appreciated.


Flygirl Debbie,

This is a most interesting rod, but unfortunately, without any kind of indentification mark, it will be very difficult to know who the Maker was.

Most, if not all of the bigger names, always put their mark on a rod somewhere and even the smaller shops and fishing tackle retailers would put their stamp or transfer on rods they sold, even if they were not of their own manufacture.
The general condition shows the greenheart ityself to be of a high quality finish, probably shellac and the fact that the guarded porcelain line-guides have survived, and the super general condition of the fittings, show that this rod was well cared for and regarded by a very appreciative owner. The wear on the butt of the cork-covered, wooden sleeve over the greenheart stock, proves that this rod was no ornament, but used a lot -and the cracking of the shellac over the joint tyings, show that it was not used in vain!

The joint ferrules are particularly well-finished, but the biggest clue is the large end button. This is very similar indeed to the type used by Ogden-Smith on their earlier rods, though this manufacturer would almost certainly have put their name on the metal fittings also.
Even so, have a look at the base of the button; despite being worn, there may yet be a discernible trace of lettering around it..

Apart from that, the makers' name may never be known. A great many people made a meagre living then, by making rods and selling them to retailers; some were good, others not so. This appears to be one of the better ones made by a conscientious person, proud of his work. The wood seems straight and true, and the good quality fittings were put on neatly.
Whoever he was, his work survives and is appreciated today..

A nice rod to own and thank you for showing it..


Chough

A few thoughts.

The red rubber button could be an after market screw-on replacement. I think the original would have perished.

I too am surprised there isn't any manufacturer engraving or stamps on the reel fittings or ferrules; and the butt end should have a serial number.

Hardy Bros patented the 'lock-fast' ferrule. I don't know enough about them to know if they were supplied to any other rod builders; but Highlander's post makes sense. Prior to that my guess would have been a Hardy heavy salmon or pike rod; or a copy thereof.
Still a very nice heirloom....


PiB

Guys,

Thank you for the info.. very interesting. The rod is actually at my father-in-law's in Aberdeen but we are gonna be up there at the beginning of November so will have a better look then. Can't wait..

Thanks again..

__________________
"Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up."
~by Arnold Gingrich, 1969~

Well now...if the rod belonged to Mr Marr of Rubislaw Den South, then Mr Marr had money And if Mr Marr had money he could have had the rod commissioned by any number of rod builders that where in Aberdeen at that time, or maybe even made the rod himself

The rubber button is very familiar to me on local rods (I am up Deeside, about 20 miles from Rubislaw) and I have two rods with what looks like identical buttons. the rubber is almost like a "plastic" and pretty much indestructable.

There is a chap who has put together a website dedicated to Aberdeen tackle makers, and he might be able to help. Here is the website http://www.feathersfliesandphantoms.co.uk/

I used to build rods for a well known tackle firm in aberdeen, somers, and in the basement where racks of cane and a few bits of greenhart left over from various companies that had closed over the years..and certainly the rings on that rod where in a box in the corner.

Anyway, have a look on the metal fittings for a makers mark...or I could go and have a look myself

regards
Rob