Horrocks-Ibbotson Rods

Question
Sir,
I have what I believe is a Horocks-Ibbotson rod.  Its one pierce and measures 8 foot.  Bamboo, 2 guides plus the tip.  total of three.  The sticker is worn off in the middle but I can identify that this is the type of rod.  Its engraved "West Point" on the rod just in front of the reel.  I can read "CANE"  could this be hurricane?   Its been in my family for a very long time.  Just trying to identify and maybe see what you think it might be worth? if possible?   It has a conventional reel which is a "PILOT REELS INCORPATED" from Princeton, NJ.

Any help is appreciated
Thanks,
Paul

Answer
Hi Paul,

My reference book lists a West Coast model for H-I boat rods, but no West Point.  It is not an exhaustive list of models so that doesn't mean much...it is quite likely that H-I produced a West Point model as well.

Typically, this type of rod would have a ferrule built into the reel seat so that the rod could be taken apart for transporting.  It's not an absolute requirement, but is very typical and your rod may come apart at the reel seat.  I'm assuming this is a boat rod, by the way, as that sounds like what you are describing.

It should have a long wooden handle, reel seat, short wooden fore grip and the bamboo rod shaft. It may have two intermediate guides then the tiptop; or, it may have two guides wrapped back-to-back in one spot then the tiptop.  Either way would be a typical guide arrangement for the H-I boat rod.

The decal on the rod can help date the rod.  A picture of whatever is left of the decal sent to me at [email protected] would be useful.  There is likely another decal, or possibly it is part of the decal that is missing, that says "Genuine Tonkin Cane".  This indicates the rod was made using bamboo imported from the Tonkin Province in China.

When you say "engraved", do you actually mean engraved into the bamboo?  Most H-I rods have the model name written in script using white ink.  If what you see appears to be white, or sort of gold colored under the varnish, then it is most likely hand written in white ink.  If the engraving is in the metal of the reel seat, this would a different issue.

The rod likely dates from the 1930s-1940s.  Value depends entirely on condition of the rod.  Value for an H-I boat rod of this type would be in the $30-$100 range depending on actual condition.

If you would like me to try to provide more details, send some pictures of the rod to [email protected] and I'll review them for you.  Pictures always help.

I did not find anything on the reel.

Thanks, Joe