Granger Preimer

Question
QUESTION:       I have a fly rod from my grandfather, I'm guessing 1930's. It was refinished in the 80,s by T&T. It is 9'6" total length, two tip's one 2" short. I would call the cork a cigar style, Granger Premier is stamped between two "knurled" rings, the reel seat is on the butt, and a single slide ring fore secures the reel. The wraps appear to be gold and black thread, with two 1/16" gold rings (thread) on both sides. Any information you could supply me would be most appreciated!

Thanks for your time,

Mark

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

I have a couple of questions regarding your rod.  Answers you can provide will help date the rod and estimate its value.

1.  Does the bottom of the butt cap have concentric circles inscribed on it so it looks like a target?

2.  Is there any engraving on the reel seat other than the "Granger Premier" between the knurled lines?  Perhaps a #1 or #2...or a "Made by..." marking?

3.  Does the slide band have knurled edges on both sides?

4.  Is the cork handle more straight or more like a coke bottle in shape?

5.  Are the guide wraps black with gold tips or gold with black tips?

6.  Is there a signature wrap near the handle or a mid-butt wrap of any sort?  If so, what does it look like and what colors are used?

7.  Do you also have the original bag and tube?  If so, are there any markings or writing on either of those?

Sorry for the battery of questions.  The Granger rods fall into three distinct eras of manufacture and I want to place yours in the proper era.

Thanks,  Joe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thankyou for your timely response!
The rod is:
    8'3" when assembled
    34 1/2" base
    34 1/2" second section
    34" tip
    31 1/2" repaired tip w/orginal guide/tip


#1 Yes, it looks like a target two rings and bullseye.

#2 No, just GRANGER PREMIER in capital letters.

#3 Yes, knurled on both edges raised approx. 1/32".

#4 Coke bottle, matches your web picture of a Cigar grip exactly. (do not know if it is fat or not)

#5 Black w/gold tips, From cork; sml gold 1/32", blk wrap 3/16",a metal swivel ring for a hook?, 1/4 OD, 3/16 blk wrap, sml gold 1/32", 3/32" bare rod, 1/32" sml gold, 3/32" bare rod, 1/32" sml gold. ( gold stripe, black wrap, gold stripe, space, gold stripe, space gold stripe.(stripes are gold thread) the ferrules have two gold stripes on each side along with the gold black ferrule black gold.

#6 Do not know answer, but may have answered it in #5.

#7 No but I have a couple of other rods and they have the Model, wt, lenght, etc, and are coposite and one metal.

    If you require any additional information please feel free to call, .

Thanks so much for your time and help!!

Mark A Walsh  

Answer
Hi Mark,

Thank you for the added information.  It helps.

The Early Era 1918-1924
The Middle Era 1924-1929
The Late Era 1929-1938

You appear to have a Granger Premier 8040 which is one of the more desirable configurations for Granger rods.  Nominally an 8'0" rod that weighs 4.0 ounces...8040.

I used the Antique & Collectible Identifcation and Value Guide for Fishing Rods by D.B Homel; and, the Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Michael Sinclair to help interpret much of the information below.

Your rod is still a bit of a puzzle, but here's what I think...

1.  The butt cap and reel seat appear to be from the Early Era.  These components could carry over to the Middle Era as supplies were used up.

2.  The coke bottle style cork handle was in use until about 1934.

3.  The engraved name between the knurls on the reel seat appeared between 1930 and 1934.

4.  The knurling on both edges of the sliding band make this component appear to be from the Early Era.  Again, supplies of these reel seats could have spanned into the Middle Era.

5.  The only marking on the rod is the engraving on the reel seat which is consistent with an Early or Middle Era rod.

6.  My guess is the rod was probably built around 1930 using some components of the Early era and the techniques of the Middle era.  This would make it a late Middle Era or early Late Era rod.

7.  I could be completely wrong.

The wraps done during the T&T refinish appear to be more like a "Registered" model than a Premier model.  If the wraps were not re-done during the refinish, then there is another mystery to solve.  It is also possible that the wraps look gold but are white under the varnish which would be consistent with a Registered model.  In general, the Premier should be wrapped in gold with no tipping; or, in black/white jasper with gold tipping.  Just part of the mystery of this rod for me.

The value of this rod could literally be anywhere between $200 and $1000 depending on its actual origin and assessed present condition. I suspect it would be worth your while to locate someone with expertise in evalutaing Granger rods and get an in-person appraisal.

At (www.classicflyrodforum.com) there is an option to pursue an appraisal of rods like this one.  They have some requirements that you must meet, but they may also should have the expertise you need to get a definitive assessment of this rod.

Thanks,  Joe