Hi all,

Does anybody know anything about split cane rods made under the 'Dauntless'
trade name, by Morriss of Redditch?

Any info much appreciated,

Thanks in advance, Castaline.

Just thought I'd 'bump' this and add a bit more information;
It seems to be a 'combi' rod.
There are two butt sections, (one light, one heavy), a mid-section, and a tip section.
The joints are Hardy 'lockfast' spiral connectors.
The light butt section has conventional sliding 'collar' type reel fittings, and when connected to the tip section makes a 9ft rod.
The heavy butt section has one fixed reel fitting, (I think this is what is known as a Hardy 'W' type, if my research is correct), and one sliding. When connected to the mid and tip sections, it's about 13ft in length.
The rod is in a four section bag, with 'Dauntless, by Morris of Redditch' just visible on the label.
Anybody?
Cheers, Castaline

Bumping...

There was an Alfred Morriss listed at Marston Works, Redditch in 1892, in Mount Pleasant in 1896, in Prospect Hill in 1900, and as A. Morriss & Co in Park Road, Redditch in 1912.


I've lost track after that, but I don't think the "W" type reel fitting lasted long after WW1.

Regards,

Doc

addition: in correcting the spelling, and re-checking, it looks as if J. E. Morris & Son are not connected, and were in Bromsgrove St, Birmingham - not Redditch. I've looked again at the 1932 and 1940 directories - no A. Morriss in Redditch, but they may have been taken over and their brand used by others.

DoctorFly;
Thanks for the reply, and some interesting information.
Am I correct in assuming that the Hardy 'W' reel fitting is a small pressed 'sleeve', held in place by half a dozen small screws?
If so, this makes the rod a good deal older than I originally thought it was, if the 'W' fitting went out of fashion so long ago. The rod is in generally excellent condition, and I thought it dated from some time in the 1960's.
Thanks again for your help, and if anyone can add any further information, I'd be happy to hear from you,

Best regards, Castaline

Here is a W reel fitting on a Hardy "Farne" boat rod made in February 1908.



There was also a smaller, lighter fitting called the "Universal".



Re-reading your revised description does make me think that your rod is much later though. Could you post any photos?

Coincidently there is an Alfred Morriss "Dauntless" tin box on US ebay at the moment. http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-VINTAGE-DAU...28187009r13219

regards,

Doc

DoctorFly;
Re; the tin box on ebay; there is a logo in the centre of the box ( raised arm and leaping fish? ) which matches that on the label on my rod bag.
However, the name on the rod bag is just Morriss, not Alfred Morriss. A later incarnation of the same company I'm sure.
The reel fitting certainly matches the 'W' type, but with no stamped identification.
I shall post some photos if possible, but shall probably have to rely on the goodwill and computer expertise of my good mate Codenamemilo to assist.
Techno-numpty am I...

Thanks for the further info,
Best regards, Castaline.

Doctorfly;
I've ( hopefully ) posted some photos of the rods; first attempt at using the new photo album facility, so here goes..
Regards, Castaline.



http://www.flyforums.co.uk/picture.p...=2&pictureid=8
http://www.flyforums.co.uk/picture.p...=2&pictureid=7
http://www.flyforums.co.uk/picture.p...=2&pictureid=6
http://www.flyforums.co.uk/picture.p...=2&pictureid=5
http://www.flyforums.co.uk/picture.p...=2&pictureid=4

pics not working

__________________
WHAT IS A FLY IF ITS NOT A BAIT

This is where I step in. John - sorry said I would do this just have not had a chance and Ruth having problems with email account.

Photos of the rod in question:

__________________
Around the steel no tortur'd worm shall twine,
No blood of living insect stain my line;
Let me, less cruel, cast feather'd hook,
With pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook,
Silent along the mazy margin stray,
And with fur-wrought fly delude the prey