Kingfisher rod

Question

2010-2012   I have a bamboo 2 pc. rod.  Kingfisher model 1234 5 1/2 ft. It appears to be nickel plated on all metal surfaces.  Has listed patented 1908.  bamboo has be milled to 6 sided.  The grips are not cork, they are tight wound braided line sealed in a black substance.  The reel seat will handle 3/4 inch wide reel bases and the diameter of the seat is about 1 inch.  The reel lock, lower, slides and locks into place  through compression by turning the ring.  On the seat is imprinted in caps KINGFISHER.There are no line guides on the lower half.  The upper half has two line guides that are double sided and of the barrel type, rolled back on both ends to form a rounded lip at an oval shaped opening.  The rod tip is very unusual.  It sets on the tip by the tapered hollow core then enlarges to two teardrop openings on either side and ends in a round shape with a hole in the end that is open to the two teardrop openings.  I have the original cloth case it came in and the paper label is still partially on it giving the model and size information.  I got it at an estate sale,ten tears ago. It appears to be in new condition.  There was a price tag from the original sale, that was lost, that stated a price around $10.00 I believe.  The rod needs the string for decoration and holding the line guides repaired.  there are loose ends on 6 areas that need attention.  The sealant on the rod is in good order and in natural finish.  The string is mostly red with some black at the beginning and end of string on the guides.  No other decals or logos on the rod or cloth case.  Any information you can give would be appreciated.  Also is the value enough to pay to have an expert repair it or should I fix it myself. Thanks for you time and knowledge. This is my first try at putting images on computer and adding to message.  Should be 5=6 images, hope whole card wasn't sent.

Answer
Steven,
The patent is not the year the rod was made
I believe this is a spinning rod. Reel is above the handle.
Bamboo or fiberglass, the spin cast rods are not very valuable.
And the really bad news is that it was probably made by Montague.
Kingfisher rods were sold by E.K. Tryon Co of Philadelphia. The Kingfisher rods were middle to very low grades, according to Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook   by Michael Sinclair
I have seen kingfisher on reel seats before and I agree with his evaluation.

I just don't get this "he upper half has two line guides that are double sided and of the barrel type, rolled back on both ends to form a rounded lip at an oval shaped opening. " maybe a picture to [email protected] would help. I have seen double sided guides - they were not used in the era that Sinclair is referring to, as well as the frequent intermediate wraps in the photo go on a much older rod. Are you sure these 2 pieces go together? Have you assembled  them ?

"The rod needs the string for decoration and holding the line guides repaired. there are loose ends on 6 areas that need attention.  The sealant on the rod is in good order and in natural finish." Do you mean thread ? If there are 6 areas that thread need attention then the sealant, I think you mean finish,  could not be in good order.

To do a credible job you need to remove all thread and finish and re wrap.

Good luck with this rod , it is an oddity
Mac