Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Anyone here into vintage fishing rods? ??????????????????????

Any info concerning maker and values would be most appreciated. I will probably end up selling or trading these and would like to have a clue. Thanks....

Montague Dreadnought
Near mint with price tag still on it(I think unused)
Approx 6.5' long assembled
Genuine Tonkin(split bamboo?)6-sided(hexagonal)rod
Hard maple handles(I think)

From what little I've gathered, I believe it was made in Massachussetts between 1900-1940. But not sure.







Richardson-Champion-Chicago-USA. Used condition. 5' long assembled. 4 pieces. Cork and fiberglass. Round. Brown glass-filled eyelets:


[img]http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/2muchgun/232e6d80.jpg[/img]

No but I know who to ask. Unfortunately I'm out of town for a week but I'll try and e-mail this thread to him.

Thanks Shreck........

I have no idea, but will follow this thread. I'm not sure that tonkin is the brand name, but the material preferred for building split-bamboo rods.

I've seen ornate tonkin fly rods sell for big bucks (several thousand). I'm no expert, but don't believe yours is in that catagory. Yours has a wooden (vs cork) grip, and appears to be a casting rod (most tonkin rods are fly rods).

Be fun to set a hook with it.

edit: I don't quite get the second (opposing) guide on the top-half of that rod either? Hook keeper perhaps?

Montague rods are considered a low end rod...not much value at all.

P.S Alot of these rods were imported from Japan for a dollar bill.

*smack* >sound of me hitting forehead<

Montague Dreadnought is the rod name. I found several examples, but this is the best explanation thus far.

link

Salt water Bamboo rods are not collectable. Collectors are looking for trout rods that are 8' and under. Generally the shorter the rod, the more collectable. Most of the most expensive rods are american made.

I found this:

http://home.myfairpoint.net/and96jac/fishnbanjossliceoflifeincyberspacecopy/id23.html

but the dreadnought is not listed. I also read some other stuff that said it is a rare model. I have been able to find some of the other models for sale, but not mine.

I must say, I don't know if it's worth much, but it seems to be a damn fine rod. Built like a tank with good hardware on it.

I think I would like a second opinion

Did you read what I posted? The rod is worth about 20-40 tops! I've been a member of the NFLCC for thirty years and been appraising antique fishing tackle for the same.

Yeah, I read what you posted. I also now have 2 offers of $75 for it. And the 2 guys I talked to on a fishing forum both said they sell for $50-$125......

Have short ( 5 or 6 feet) bamboo pack fly rod somewhere around here bought at a old guys yard sale about 40 years ago. Now I am the old guy with it

I collect bamboo fly rods and I also have a few conventional bamboo "boat rods" that are similar to this one...although not as nice as the condition of yours. I believe what okok said is correct.

As far as the valuation goes, I am not surprised to see your rod selling for $50-$125 because of its outstanding condition, but the value of these rods is entirely decorative. I suppose you could use one, but I don't think that anyone really does.

Collectible split bamboo fly rods are an entirely different animal.

As to why there are two guides back to back, bamboo rods will take a "set" or a bend, if a lot of pressure is repeatedly placed on them by pulling on heavy fish. I believe that the purpose of the double guide is so that you can periodically turn the rod over throughout the day to balance out the stress on the rod so that it doesn't take a set in one direction.

Funny how an "appraisal" doesn't always match reality.

In this case, it seems that it's worth what somebody (more like, TWO somebodies) is willing to pay.

There's "Blue Book", then there's "street price".

yep. I just sold both rods for $115 shipped.....