bamboo casting rod in three (3) sections

Question
QUESTION: The bamboo rod is in a green corduroy cover that ties around the metal reel. the rod looks as if it is real bamboo.  Each section (there are three) has a metal piece (tip) that screws into the next with the pointed end having only one metal tip.
The metal reel is rusted and if there were identifying words there, I cannot read them now.
My question is how old do you think this rod might be? The fishermen in the family would have used this last in about 1950/60

ANSWER: Hi Charlotte,

There are so many choices that I can't do much without a little more information.  If you could reply with answers to the following questions, I may be able to do more.

1.  Is the rod split bamboo (six sided) or is it round?  Is it possible it could be fiberglass?

2.  Does it look like a single piece of bamboo or cane?  Does it have knots or knobs along the rod shaft?

3.  Is there a reel seat?  A place to attach the reel.  If so, what does it look like?  Is it metal or plastic?  If no reel seat, how is the reel attached to the rod?

4.  How long is the rod?

5.  The metal pieces where the rod connects...do these screw together or do they slide together one inside the other?  These connectors are typically called ferrules.

6.  Are there any guides on the rod for line to pass through?  If so, what do they look like?

7.  Are there any decals or writing on the rod itself?

Thanks,  Joe

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

QUESTION: No question, just my response to the above ....
1.  Is the rod split bamboo (six sided) or is it round?  Is it possible it could be fiberglass?

...Round rod and I don't know if it could be fiberglass.  There appears to be a shiny surface all over the rod that shows a great deal of wear.. as if the rod *had* been painted with a clear coat of ????....

2.  Does it look like a single piece of bamboo or cane?
It looks like single, but cannot tell.  
...It looks like the 3 rod(s) are in sections similar to real bamboo.   The rods have brown "stripes" circling each section....
 
Does it have knots or knobs along the rod shaft?
...yes...
3.  Is there a reel seat?   A place to attach the reel. No. If so, what does it look like?  Is it metal or plastic?  If no reel seat, how is the reel attached to the rod?
...There is no reel seat.  A metal reel (now rusted) is attached with black tape.  the line looks as if it would break if touched...  

4.  How long is the rod?  ...each section is 4 ft...

5.  The metal pieces where the rod connects...do these screw together or do they slide together one inside the other?  These connectors are typically called ferrules.
   ...the ferrules screw together...

6.  Are there any guides on the rod for line to pass through?  If so, what do they look like?  ...No guides...  
7.  Are there any decals or writing on the rod itself?
       ...No...


Answer
Hi Charlotte,

Thank you for the reply.  This is very helpful information.

As to age, which was your original question, this rod could be anywhere form 50 to 100 years old.  It is probably from the 1950s when it would have been used...perhaps earlier.

Unfortunately, your answers tell me that this is not a valuable rod.  It is probably worth $5-$10 at most.  It sounds like an old bamboo rod for still fishing using a bobber and bait...what we used to call cane poles in the 1940-1950-1960 era.

I base this on the lack of a reel seat, the taped on reel, no guides, the screw together ferrules, the 12 foot length (three 4 foot sections) and the knobs or nodes along the raw bamboo shaft.  I used many such rods as a boy fishing for crappie and bream.

It is absolutely functional as it has no moving parts to fail and it can be used to catch fish with the right bait.  However, it is not collectible or of any particular value on the market.

Thanks,  Joe