abercrombie fitch fly rods
Question
Rods in question are a 7 foot abercrombie & fitch with cork reel seat, and says "Genuine Tonkin" green wraps outlined in black no ingraving on butt of rod or anywhere else only a&f logo above cork and then the above inscribed in black ink. 2 piece rod
Other is 8ft 3/2 a&f never fished it appears looks brand spanking new. the tube says Edwards 8ft 3/2 but there is no marking on the rod other then the af logo period correct from research same as other rod. but right below cork on rod say 106? has down locking reelseat that screws down (brass goldish color) reel seat is a black color dosent appear to be wood? wraps are maroon and black or dark blue? its a beautiful looking rod. is in blue sack both of these were my great grandfathers, He left other nice rods sage graphite T&T bamboo and Fenwick Glass so i assume they decent. thanks....
Answer
Andy,
You did not say what you wanted me to do with these rods so I will give value and some history.
I made this answer public, so others can read it and get some help as well.Abercromby & Fitch did not make rods but put their labels on rod made by other makers.
Price Book:
Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.
Rod #1:
Abercromby & Fitch did not make rods but put their labels on rod made by other makers. "Genuine Tonkin" was frequently used by Horrocks - Ibbotson Co., a low quality , like mass produced maker. And even if it wasn't made by H-I , people are going to think it. I think 7 foot length rules out H-I. Phillipson made rods for A&F , using a glue leaving purple lines.
If Phillipson made the rod
Homel gives a "Firehole" fly rod by Phillipson 7 1/2', with an extra tip, 2 sections the value of $75, 275 and 525 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.
However H-I would be more like $22, 62 and 115, for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.
Rod #2: 8ft 3/2 A&F:
I would guess it is a Edwards if it has Nickel Silver components. 106 is A&F, definitely not an Edwards serial number. Homel gives a "Yellowstone" fly rod 8 1 /2 - 9', with an extra tip, 3 sections the value of $40, 110 and 5200 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively. Yellowstone was an Edwards rod model in a 8 foot rod.
Luck,
Mac
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