Identification and valuation of a hardy rod

Question
I have received a Hardy rod and it appears to be quite old. It is in excellent condition. As I said it is a hardy Brothers Neo Cane. "Finecrest" #6. with a serial number of NE2901. the rod is 8'5"

Can you tell me how old it is and a value. Not sure if I want to fish with it if it is of some value.

Thanks in advance.

Ian

Answer
Ian,

I bought on ebay, a cd with pdfs of dates and history of Hardy. I also have copies of the information from the Hardy and Grays Canadian web site that confirms the information on the DVD (they took it down). It is not something I would take into court but my experience has found it to be reliable information.

Prefixed serial numbers, like NE,  denote  Mitre Hardy and Neocane . They were made between 1963 - 1967. NE rods are very difficult to date to  specific year.

Price Book:
Antique & Collectible  Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.

Homel doesn't mention Finecrest, Hardy serial numbers or Neo Cane. But there are other shorter Hardys that to from 300-600 in like new condition.

One of my favorite web sites is Clarks Bamboo Fly Rod Forum , please find  discussion on Neocane:
http://classicflyrodforum.com/topic/14417
You might ask there for value.

Your rod is not well known. But remember, that is coming from a western US bamboo man.  I see a few Hardys but not much.

Hardy History:  http://www.articlealley.com/article_634978_32.html
Hardy is still in business in Alnwick, England - on the web:
http://fly.hardyfishing.com/en-gb/home/

You might try the Hardy address and ask the maker, they have been in business for long time and continue.  They are like Orvis here in the states.

I always lean to fishing it, but I think you might want to research in the UK. It could be worth as much as $600.

If you learn more than the above , please e-mail me [email protected]
Luck,
Mac
Nominations are appreciated