Southbend 290 (1951?)

Question
Hi There:
I have a SB 290, two piece, two tip bamboo rod I recently purchased. The reel seat is aluminum, downlocking and a light gold/brown colour. The rod came with the stripper guide missing.  The Southbend decal is yellow in colour and the rod has the comficient grip and the wraps are orange and black jasper. Is it possible that the stripper guide was an agate (garnix)? Did they use such guides on the Model 290s in later years?

Thanks!
Darren in Alberta

Answer
Darren,
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook  by Michael Sinclair  if you want to verify it yourself but here's my answer after researching Sinclair.
They made the comficient grip  first in 1939  and made rods until 1951.

He gives specifics on all components including stripper guides.
He says Stainless Steel on your 290.
I have seen them, all metal  - no Garnix.
Other models of that era had Garnix such as 59, 359  and 377.



Luck,
Mac

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