old steel shaft rods

Question
i have a few steel shaft rods, among them is a Actionrod  from Orchard Industries, Inc., Detroit 5, Michigan.  the rod is round, is about 43-1/2" long, has 3 guides, and has a Shakespeare Triumph Level Winding No. 1958 on it.  the underside of the mount is marked Model 26 - 100 yds.  how old is it?
Another rod is marked '21st Century' of Jacksonville, Florida.  any idea?

Answer
Hi Jim,

Most of these rods tend to date from the 1910s-1930s time period.  Probably interrupted during WWI, and not likely any were produced during the 1940s due to the WWII war effort.  In the 1940s and early 1950s fiberglass began to take over the market.

In good condition these rods are valued in the $10-$20 range; in excellent condition perhaps as high as $30-$40 for an exceptional example.  They don't seem to have a high regard with collectors, but they are nice rods.

The Horton Manufacturing Company, American Fork and Hoe, Folsum Arms Company, True Temper and Gephart Manufacturing Company are possible makers of the steel rods.  Many of these rods were made for private companies and retail outlets by one of these firms and marked with the name of the private company or outlet.  I am guessing this is the case for your 21st Century rod.

The Orchard Industries rod you have is a bit different.  It was made by Orchard Industries and, if it has the fancy bakelite grip, could be worth up to three times the values stated above for run of the mill steel rods.  The D.B. Homel value guide lists the Orchards Industries steel bait rod with fancy bakelite grip and in good condition at $65 and in excellent condition at $115.  It is doubtful that you could get a price like this from anyone other than an Orchards Industries collector.  

Thanks,  Joe