Due to a combination of ill-health and old age, my Dad has decided to thin out his tackle collection and has asked me to sell anything that has any worth.

I would like to know if these have any value, and if so how/where to sell them.

The first is a Hardy Halford Knockabout which I believe dates to 1959. I can remember him using it before carbon rods hit the market (and for a while afterwards). I tried it years ago but it seemed too heavy compared to carbon. I'm not sure how to describe the condition but it seems pretty good to me and certainly useable – no repairs to the cane but a few rings have been rewhipped. It is about 9ft 10in and it has the original cloth bag and ferrule plug/stopper. It also has a spike within the butt which looks as if its never been used. Would I be correct in saying that you could stick this in the ground to stand the rod up?









---------- Post added at 09:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 PM ----------

The second is a greenheart I think. During WW2 he went to stay with someone in Kilmacolm (he lived in Glasgow – born in 1930 so he was between 9 and 15 at the time). The lady he stayed with gave him this and a small brass reel (which he is searching the loft for). He was told the rod was bought in 1918. Its 3 piece 9ft 10in with a spare tip section. One tip section has had a new top ring fitted and is a few inches shorter, possible broken off at some stage. The other has a whipping where presumably a break occurred and another break which is currently glued with a needle attached – possibly a repair in progress.

Condition wise, I would say its in need of restoration. No markings that I can find and it has a bag which looks original as the stitching at the bottom appears to be for two tip sections. I'm not sure it looks as if its 90 years old though.





Any thoughts or assistance would be very welcome.

I would contact the Hardy website they could probably help.

Alan

you could try neil freeman at angling auctions uk for advice. they have a sale coming up in september i think. www.angling-auctions.co.uk. good luck. jon mcmillan.

Thanks Alan, couldn't find anything on Hardy's website to help though.

Thanks for the link Jon, looks like they had a Knockabout estimated at £130 which sold for £120 - it was factory refurbed. So I guess it has a value and there is a market. I'll get in touch with him.

H,
You have a couple of interesting rods there.

The Greenheart for all it's interest and charm, is unfortunately not worth much, £20 at the most I'd guess. To restore it would cost quite a bit, and you would struggle to find amker to make you new top section.

The Hardy Knockabout although a Hardy rod, isn't that collectable due to it's length and weight. There are also quite a few of them knocking about
Value in the market today about £50 to £100 depending on condition. Restoration would cost about the same.

Nice rods to keep and display. It's the shorter cane an greenheart rods that attract money.

The spike is, when attached to rod, pushed into soil to hold the rod up so it does not get scratched, marred on rocks or bush.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately, displaying them would not go down well with her indoors. I'm pretty sure he bought the Knockabout new and because I have memories of him using it, I may have to persuade him to let me keep it. I can't remember him using the greenheart but the knockabout was made before I was born so I guess he retired the greenheart around 1959. It does however have some family history so it might have to stay too.

Hardy UK do not seem to have a great interest in their heritage. Their US Licencees are a bit better, but the most knowledge is with the Canadians http://www.highfields.cowichanweb.com/information.shtml. If you can't find enough information on the website, send an email with photos to Bill Tucker (address on the contact page).

Regards,

Doc

Interesting is the Halford Knockabout. In my early teens I lusted over this rod as it was one of the first rods of it's type recommended by Richard Walker and Tom Ivens for reservoir trout fishing.

I never did get to own one as when I could finally afford one, glass rods like the Grafham Ghost were available that were much cheaper and lighter.

Anyone ever had a Grafham Ghost?

If I had to money I would certainly offer £150 for it, as it would be nice to put on my wall - after catching a couple of trout with it, and probably straining the tendons in my forearm!

Alas such amounts are beyond me now.

Well, his psa level is now over 8000 (increase of 1000 in the last month) so they have decided to stop his treatment. I've decided to keep both rods as the money will mean very little to him now and I hope that he will be happier knowing they are staying in the family.

Turns out he inherited the Knockabout from his brother who died in a car accident in 1969. Hopefully I'll be allowed to display them in the house at some stage.