Precision Rods - Range of Cane Rods

[AshbyCut]

As Precision Rods never, as far as anyone knows, produced a catalogue listing the range which they produced ... I have been asked by a few people now to list those cane rods of which I am aware as of 4/10/2019 ... and I will update this list if and when new models surface.

Many thanks to Mark for agreeing to making this thread a 'sticky.'

Rods bearing the 'Precision Rods' logo in the list below are all rods other than those specifically designated 'Bernard Sealey & Co.' (I have omitted the glass/fibre glass rods badged by both 'Precision Rods' and 'Bernard Sealey & Co.' If anyone would like this list, please PM me.)

Split cane ‘Bottom’ Rods

1. Precision Rods “The Gem.” 6ft.6in., 2 piece, all split cane spinning rod with a 14” handle.
2. Precision Rod’s ‘R. Sealey’s Autoflex” … a 7ft. 2in., 2 piece split cane spinning rod with a 17” handle.
3. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Vanguard.” 2 piece, 8ft., all split cane pike rod. *
4. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Kendal Gem.” 2 piece, 8ft., all split cane spinning rod.
5. Bernard Sealey & Co. “R. Sealey’s ????.” 2 piece, 8ft. 2in. all split cane rod (possibly stalker).
6. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Marsden.” 10ft., 2 piece, all split cane rod. The Precision Rods version
of the “Richard Walker Mk. IV Avon Rod.”
7. Bernard Sealey & Co. “R. Sealey’s Tudor Carp.” 2 piece, 10ft.2in., all split cane rod to Mk.IV taper.
8. Precision Rods “The Express.” 10ft. 7in., 3 piece, all split cane ‘light float rod.’
9. Precision Rods, Bernard Sealey, 10ft 9 inch, 3 piece, all split cane construction. Thanks to Bumble,
this rod has now been christened “The Princess.”*
10. Precision Rods “Severn Perfection.” 11ft., 3 piece, all split cane float/trotting rod.
11. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Express Deluxe.” 11ft. 1in., 3 piece, all split cane rod.
12. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Festival.” 11ft., 3 piece rod with whole cane butt. Simple taper split cane
centre and tip. ‘Tom Watson, Nottingham’ retailers label.
13. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Festival.” 11ft., 3 piece rod with whole cane butt, split cane compound
taper centre section, and split cane tip.
14. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Festival.” 11ft., 3 piece rod with whole cane butt, split cane compound taper
centre section, and split cane compound taper tip.
15. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Festival.” 11ft., 3 piece rod with whole cane butt. Simple taper split cane
centre and tip. Bought as part of an auction lot with another rod and 5 centre pin reels.
16. Precision Rods "Frank Woodward Special." 11ft., 3 piece rod with whole cane butt with 22 1/2in. handle, and split cane centre and tip sections.
17. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Supreme.” 11ft., 3 piece float rod. *
18. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Supreme” in original, unrestored condition. 11ft., 3 piece, all split cane
float rod.
19. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Supreme.” 11ft., 3 piece, all split cane rod. *
20. Precision Rods “R. Sealey Precise.” 12ft. 3 piece. Butt = Whole cane. Centre = whole cane/whole cane.
Tip is a compound taper split cane. *
21. Precision Rods “R. Sealey Precise.” 12ft. 3 piece. Butt = Whole cane. Centre = whole cane.
Tip is a compound taper split cane.
22. Precision Rods “R. Sealey Precise.” Also inscribed ‘Tip Action’ in the same hand. 12ft. 3 piece.
Butt = Wholecane. Centre = whole cane/whole cane. Tip is a compound taper split cane.
23. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Supreme.” 12ft. version.
24. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Un-named.” 12ft. 8in., 3 piece, all split cane rod.
25. Bernard Sealey & Co. un-named, 12ft. 8in., all split cane, 3 piece rod. 29 1/4in. handle. Same tapers as
above.
26. Precision Rods "R. Sealey's Festival Avon." 11ft., 3 piece rod comprises a whole cane butt with a 24.5 inch handle, a hollow built split cane
centre section, and a split cane tip section. What really makes it stand out is the nature of the compound taper
build, with step down tapers to both centre and tip section making a powerful rod with a very sensitive tip.



Split Cane Fly Rods

1. Precision Rods “The Gem.” 2 piece, 6ft. 6in., all split cane fly rod
2. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Lightweight.” 7ft., 2 piece, all split cane.
‘Lightweight’ indeed, weighing only 3.65oz. (104gr.)
3. Bernard Sealey & Co. “R. Sealey’s Tudor Lightweight.” 8ft., 2 piece, all split cane fly rod.
Inscribed as for 5 weight line.
4. Precision Rods Un-named 8ft fly rod, 2 piece, split cane.
5. Precision Rods Un-Named. 8ft. 1.5in., 3 piece, split cane fly rod with a 12 inch handle.
6. Precision Rods 2 piece, 8ft. 6in. all split cane, un-named fly rod. 4/5 weight.
7. Precision Rods 2 piece, 8ft. 6in. all split cane, un-named fly rod. 6/7 weight.
8. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Prince.” 9ft., 3 piece, all split cane fly rod.
9. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Lightweight.” 9ft., 2 piece, split cane fly rod.
10. Precision Rods 3 piece, 9ft. 6in., all split cane fly rod.
11. Bernard Sealey & Co. “R. Sealey’s Tudor Lightweight.” 9ft 6in., 2 piece, all split cane fly rod.
12. Bernard Sealey & Co. “R. Sealey’s Tudor Salmon.” 2 piece, 9ft. 6in., all split cane spinning rod.
13. Bernard Sealey & Co. “R. Sealey’s Salmon.” 2 piece, 11ft., all split cane spinning rod.


Spanish Reed/Whole Cane/Split Cane ‘match’ Rods

1. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Rose.” 3 piece, 10ft 6in., whole cane butt, whole cane/whole
cane centre, whole cane/split cane tip, with additional fibre glass tip.
2. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor Rose.” 3 piece, 10ft 6in., whole cane butt, whole cane/whole
cane centre, whole cane/split cane tip.
3. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Tudor lightweight.” 10ft. 6in., 3 piece rod. Spanish Reed Butt. Spanish
Reed spliced to whole cane centre. Whole cane spliced to split cane tip.
4. Precision Rods ‘R. Sealey’s Match-Winner JFT.’ 11ft. 3in., 3 piece. Spanish Reed butt, whole cane/whole
cane middle, split cane tip.
5. Precision Rods ‘R. Sealey’s Match Winner JFT.’ 12ft., 3 piece rod with Spanish Reed butt, whole
cane/whole cane centre, and whole cane/split cane tip section.
6. Precision Rods ‘R. Sealey’s Match Winner JFT.’ 13ft., 3 piece rod with Spanish Reed butt, whole
cane/whole cane centre, and whole cane/split cane tip section.
7. Precision Rods ‘R. Sealey’s Match Winner JFT.” 13ft. 6in. rod as the above two in construction.
8. Precision Rods “R. Sealey Rapid Strike.” 12ft., 3 piece. Butt – reed. Middle
– reed/cane spliced. Tip – compound taper split cane.
9. Un-marked rod, but obviously Precision Rods from the original whipping. 12ft., 3 piece rod with Spanish Reed
butt, reed spliced to whole cane centre, and whole cane spliced to split cane tip. Identical in construction to the
“R. Sealey’s Rapid Strike.”
10. Precision Rods “R. Sealey Rapid Strike.” 13ft. version.
11. A pair of Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Brumas.” 13ft 3in. 3 piece. (see note)
+ Butt = Spanish Reed. Middle = Spanish Reed spliced to whole cane.
12. Tip = whole cane spliced to split cane. TBR.
NB … Nb. Brumas was apparently something of a celebrity ... the first Polar Bear cub born in captivity
in the UK on 27th. November 1949, who was instrumental in London Zoo's record attendance
figures in 1950. Erroneously referred to as 'male' in the press of the time, she was named after her 2
keepers, Bruce and Sam ... hence Brumas. She died on 17th May 1958. Therefore, the rod was
named either as a celebration of her birth (and I believe that R. Sealey started to make rods after
WW2 until the early 1980's) ... or in remembrance of her after her death.
13. Un-marked rod, but obviously Precision Rods from the original whipping. Identical in specification to the
“R. Sealey’s Brumas” I almost every respect being a 13ft. 3in., 3 piece rod, with a Spanish Reed butt, Spanish
Reed to whole cane spliced centre, BUT a whole cane spliced to brown fibre glass tip section !!!!!
14. Un-marked rod, but obviously Precision Rods from the original whipping. Identical in specification to the
“R. Sealey’s Brumas” I almost every respect being a 13ft. 3in., 3 piece rod, with a Spanish Reed butt, Spanish
Reed to whole cane spliced centre, whole cane spliced to split cane tip section !!!!!
15. Precision Rods ‘un-named combi-rod.’ 4 piece. 25 inch handle. 30 inch Spanish reed short butt.
Spliced reed/whole cane centre. Spliced whole cane/split cane tip. The handle has a female ferrule,
and the male ferrules on the short butt and centre sections are identical, meaning that it can be used
As either a 10ft 6in ‘roach/match’ or 13ft ‘roach/match’ type rod.
16. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Coronation.” 13ft. 6in., 3 piece rod of Spanish Reed/reed spliced to whole
cane/whole cane spliced to split cane construction.
17. Precision Rods “R. Sealey’s Rapid Strike.” 14ft. version.


nb ... You will note a number of rods designated "Un-named." I have found this to be a common feature of rods by this company as there were many which were built as 'customer orders' or possibly 'prototypes' ... never designated. These can be identified by the fact that there is no space left between the foot of the black and gold Precision Rods shield or Bernard Sealey & Co. logo and the top of the whipping immediately below it ... where no space is left for the hand inscribed factory model name.

[Mark]

Lovely thread Mal, looking forward to seeing the list grow.

[Bumble]

Mal don't forget the Festival Avon, the best Barbel rod I have used, brought back to life by fellow member James.
Bumble

[Paul F]

Thanks to Mal, we now have a Precision Rods catalogue

[AshbyCut]

Mal don't forget the Festival Avon, the best Barbel rod I have used, brought back to life by fellow member James.
Bumble

I started the thread with the rods I own Bumble, Sir ... and I don't own an 'Avon' ... YET ! It will be added, of course

[Harry H]

Mal don't forget the Festival Avon, the best Barbel rod I have used, brought back to life by fellow member James.
Bumble

I started the thread with the rods I own Bumble, Sir ... and I don't own an 'Avon' ... YET ! It will be added, of course

No wonder Mrs AC spends her time rocking back and forth on her computer chair also dreading the postal deliveries

[Keston]

Good heavens thats some collection you have there Sir.

[Fredline]

I did not realise these rods were that popular or numerous. I have these 3 they are badged as "Bernard Sealey & Co. Tudor Works Redditch Phone 3926".
1. R. Sealey's Tudor Salmon. 2 piece 11'
2. R. Sealey's Tudor Carp. 2 piece 10'. This has all MkIV attributes.
3. R. Sealey's ????? 2 piece 8' 2". This has been partially stripped down, no rings but with the same qualities as the Tudor Carp rod.
So how does Bernard Sealey become R Sealey?

[AshbyCut]

So how does Bernard Sealey become R Sealey?

Thanks for posting about your rods, Sir. I'll add them to the list. What your post does confirm is that cane rods were built under the 'Bernard Sealey & Co.' logo ... as I've only seen fibre glass rods bearing that logo until now (I currently own 10 of them.)

To answer your question, 'Precision Rods' was the registered trading name of 'Bernard Sealey & Co.', which was set up just after WW2.

Bernard Sealey was Edgar Sealey's cousin.

The first R. Sealey was Bernard's son, Robert, who designed the rods. Robert took over the business from his father in the early 1960's.

The role of rod design passed onto Robert's son ... also called Robert ... who finally sold the business in 1982.

I'm afraid I'm not yet able to confirm when or why the 'Precision Rods' name was dropped, and was replaced by the 'Bernard Sealey & Co.' logo.

I hope that helps.

[Peter Foster]

Hi there Ashby

I have a 7ft Precision split cane spinning rod inscribed 'The Gem'. Are you aware of this model at all?

It's one from my collection that I can find out little about? Any help would be great.

Many thanks

Petr