Identifying banboo fly rods

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Rich
   Going thru my fathers hunting and fishing closet I found three bamboo fly rods.  Two were Horrock and Ibbotson 7 foot Prince and a Princess 2/1 models the other is  Heddon 2/2 #10 7'-81/2 F H G H or F. Heddon is written spiraling across three Flats. The handle is above the sliding silver reel seat bands there is a hook keeper at the handle with red or maroon eye windings with a decorative spiral three band winding mid way between the cigar shape cork handle and the stripping guide.  The rod seems to have a "power butt" but I am not to sure about this.  My Pap passed away 23 Dec. of 2005 I would like to fish these rods in memory of him and our fishing trips here in WVa.  Any thing you could tell me will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much and hope you can shed some light on these rods as they mean a great deal to me.  Again thanks.
         Tom Mac

ANSWER: Tom,
Price Book:
Antique & Collectible  Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.
Another good book on bamboo rod history is Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook -Michael Sinclair
History: http://fishnbanjosplace.yuku.com/topic/13/History-and-value-of-Horrocks-Ibbotson
thanks Banjo

Rod #1, Horrocks and Ibbotson 7 foot Prince,was made by Horrocks - Ibbotson Co.Rod of NY.

Homel gives the Horrocks - Ibbotson "Tonka Prince" fly rod 7'  with an extra tip, 2 sections the  value of  $30, 95 and $175 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.

Rod #2, Horrocks and Ibbotson 7 foot Princes ,was also made by Horrocks - Ibbotson Co.Rod of NY. Although not mentioned in Homel ,Sinclair does and I have seen both models. If they have extra tips, original socks and bags they are going to command more than Homel says.

I can tell you a lot more if the HI rods have labels or logos and you describe them as accurately as you did the South Bend. (thank you)

Your two models are one of the few HI rods sought after by collectors

Rod #3 Heddon  #10 -2/2 is 2 piece 2 sections #10 or Blue Waters is the model.  
7'-8?   not sure, seen several longer models #10 at 9 and 10 feet , I have heard of shorter down to 6 ' and it seems like you Dad liked shorter rods so maybe 7 foot again.
1/2F  is ferrule size  but they were
H G H or F is line weight . F is comparable to modern 4 weight. HGH could that be HCH
History: http://fishnbanjosplace.yuku.com/topic/12/History-and-value-of-Heddon-Rods#.T-fE
Heddon rods up to 1939 had the makers name only spiraled on the shaft as you described. But I have never heard of a ferrule size on the shaft of a rod until 1929 when the name was on the flats with the other information Perhaps you got the other info "2/2 #10 7'-81/2 F H G H or F. " from the bag or tube label. The larger the number the stiffer the rod. For 3 piece rods 2F is a trout rod , 2 and 1/2F is a bass rod.

Fishing them depends on the care the rod received over the years. If the finish is gone  and the rod was consistently wet , it can weaken the bamboo. If water got in the ferrules and not dried , it can weaken the rod at the stress points. If thread is loose or missing , it is probably missing finish. If it has a bend , not straight ( a set) that can mean it may be weak, too. They often break just below the ferrules.

You may want to consider a restoration - a good one will allow you to keep all writing and logos on your rod.

Luck,
Mac

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

QUESTION: Mr. Rich
  Tom Mac from WVa, with the Heddon bamboo fly rod.   On looking at this rod under a lighted magnifier I see that what I thought was a 8 1/2F is actually 0 1/2F. Also the rod has a four not a three band decoratative wrap of scarlet tipped with a light green.  All the information given is written on the rod.  I went to the local library and found the book [The Find Bamboo Fly Rod] by Stuart Kirkfield describing the steps involved in the restoration of bamboo fly rods.  Having read through it what are your thoughts on my trying a resto myself?  Should the four band wrap be left on the rod or removed? Would you suggest staying with the original color scheme for wrapping or trying something else? Any advice and suggestions you would offer will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for your professional advice,look forward to your answer.  Incidentally Pap was

Answer
Tom,
I made your question public because it is a good one and other may enjoy the answer.
If you can wrap thread , restoration is not easy but can be done by most fly tiers.
I teach a class with graphite a couple of times a year and it is similar in concept. I would recommend you practice on some older rods first unless you have built rods and understand what I just wrote about wrapping.
Kirkfields book is out of print and rare , you might find Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook   by Michael Sinclair, which is more direct and easier for a beginner to follow.

I only leave logos and labels - wraps I measure carefully and redo. And I leave a little bit of finish on that label. I measure everything with a digital micrometer. I recommend you practice the wrap on a same sized dowel before taking it off.

You left me hanging "Incidentally Pap was..?"

Luck,
Mac

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