Mystery Milwards

[Walkerburt]

A bit of assistance is required here, chaps, if you’d be so kind.

This is my grandfather’s split cane trout rod, 9’ in length, age unknown, but almost certainly pre-war and in quite reasonable condition. There are no numbers or lettering, just “Milwards” just above the button. There is a bamboo pole, with a screw top for a landing net, the pole contains a spare tip section which I can’t release - this drives me crackers.

The bag, tatty and grimy, has no tag or label, but is obviously the original as it has to cater for the bamboo pole.

Coincidentally, I was in Ashbourne yesterday, looking around Steven Woolley’s shop (seriously, if you haven’t been, you’ve got to go...), and whilst driving home, I thought that I would let him take a look at it as I’m sure that a refurb might just be policy, so I shall do this next week, all being well.

In the meantime, if any of you in the Milwards brains trust have any ideas or advice, I really would be most grateful.

Kind Regards
Phil.

[Harry H]

Try a PM to Wally's cast or Pafpuff they both have pre war Milwards catalogues.

[Walkerburt]

Thanks mate, much appreciated, I’ll try Steven Wooley next week as well

Kind Regards
Phil

[Paul F]

Milwards did not name their early rods, they gave them a number in the catalogue which was not on the rod.
In my 1937/38 catalogue is a rod which looks and sounds like yours
Hexecane series ref 23351/2 (that is 2335 & a half)
2 piece in 9 or 91/2 ft with 2 tops, one top shorter, price £4-10-0
Paul

[Walkerburt]

Milwards did not name their early rods, they gave them a number in the catalogue which was not on the rod.
In my 1937/38 catalogue is a rod which looks and sounds like yours
Hexecane series ref 23351/2 (that is 2335 & a half)
2 piece in 9 or 91/2 ft with 2 tops, one top shorter, price £4-10-0
Paul

Wow, thanks for that Paul

To be honest, I’m a bit unsure what the length is, as I can’t get the other top out of the bamboo tube, so it could be one or the other, but your info seems to fit the bill nicely.

Thanks again
Phil

[Paul F]

Milwards did not name their early rods, they gave them a number in the catalogue which was not on the rod.
In my 1937/38 catalogue is a rod which looks and sounds like yours
Hexecane series ref 23351/2 (that is 2335 & a half)
2 piece in 9 or 91/2 ft with 2 tops, one top shorter, price £4-10-0
Paul

Wow, thanks for that Paul

To be honest, I’m a bit unsure what the length is, as I can’t get the other top out of the bamboo tube, so it could be one or the other, but your info seems to fit the bill nicely.

Thanks again
Phil

Looking at your photo, the tip seems to be the same length as the butt, so I would think that is the correct tip to give you the overall length, I sussect the spare tip will be 6" shorter.

Does the brass cap not unscrew, and just give the tube a few light taps?

Paul

[Walkerburt]

Yes, you’re absolutely correct - see images.

Many thanks for your help

Kind Regards
Phil