Wallis Wizard
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 11:13 am
I like 'Wizard's, just thought I'd get that off my chest to begin with...
Over the years I've handled quite a few 'Wizard's, by Allcocks, Constable, Aspindales etc. all nice, but all different, and in some cases, very different.
Sorry, I'm rambling again, so to get to the point, I simply can't resist yet another 'Wizard', and when this one came my way...
It's an early (how early I don't know) green stained rod. I'm certain, after careful inspection, that it has suffered no 'Restoration'. It's even been spared the varnish brush and remains as it left the factory. It has an interesting green and gold oval label beneath the spiral 'Wallis Wizard' label, which may help date it?
I wish to return the rod to a usable condition with as little 'Restoration' as possible, just replacement rings and the ferrules reseated. No cleaning or polishing, just enough varnish over the new ring and ferrule whippings to keep the water out.
This would seem a simple task, however...
The first concern is the whipping silk colour, it's not the bright, almost lime green of the restorations I have seen, but a darker 'Mid green', very similar to that used, pre war, by Hardy's. It's not the result of darkened varnish, but is definitely 'Mid green'.
The main concern is that of the ring style. It seems that the green stained Wizard's had the upright 'safety pin' type rings, and this is supported by the rod description in the Alcock's catalogues, 'Special upright' rings. Well, having carefully removed a ring ('High bells', badly corroded) it clearly shows where the original ring sat over the green stain. The whippings had a space remaining between them, consistent with a ring having a central gap between the legs, just like the removed ring. I probably haven't explained this very well but please bear with me...if the rod had been fitted with the 'safety pin' type rings, the marks left in the stain by the original whipping would remain, and would only have a very small central gap between the legs. Further, the feet on this type of ring sit to the sides of the blank, and there is no sign of this. It is very hard to believe that the rings, as fitted, are not original rings...I am aware that the later, gold label Wizard's were fitted with 'Bell's life' intermediates. Is it possible that this rod was a transitional model, still Green stained, but fitted with the later style of ring ? Please note that the rings fitted are not 'Bell's life', but 'Stand off Bell's life"...Allcock's description,from their 1938/39 catalogue, which proves that they were in use pre war.
Sorry about the poor quality photo's, which were taken in strong sunlight and don't show the correct silk colour.
In conclusion, it's an important rod historically, but more importantly to me, it's far and away the nicest Wizard I have ever held, with the most beautiful action. As I said, I like Wizards
Gentlemen, I would value your opinions please.
I only consider myself the present custodian of this lovely rod and therefore wish to do it justice and not do anything which will cause confusion to future custodians.
Thank you anticipation.
Over the years I've handled quite a few 'Wizard's, by Allcocks, Constable, Aspindales etc. all nice, but all different, and in some cases, very different.
Sorry, I'm rambling again, so to get to the point, I simply can't resist yet another 'Wizard', and when this one came my way...
It's an early (how early I don't know) green stained rod. I'm certain, after careful inspection, that it has suffered no 'Restoration'. It's even been spared the varnish brush and remains as it left the factory. It has an interesting green and gold oval label beneath the spiral 'Wallis Wizard' label, which may help date it?
I wish to return the rod to a usable condition with as little 'Restoration' as possible, just replacement rings and the ferrules reseated. No cleaning or polishing, just enough varnish over the new ring and ferrule whippings to keep the water out.
This would seem a simple task, however...
The first concern is the whipping silk colour, it's not the bright, almost lime green of the restorations I have seen, but a darker 'Mid green', very similar to that used, pre war, by Hardy's. It's not the result of darkened varnish, but is definitely 'Mid green'.
The main concern is that of the ring style. It seems that the green stained Wizard's had the upright 'safety pin' type rings, and this is supported by the rod description in the Alcock's catalogues, 'Special upright' rings. Well, having carefully removed a ring ('High bells', badly corroded) it clearly shows where the original ring sat over the green stain. The whippings had a space remaining between them, consistent with a ring having a central gap between the legs, just like the removed ring. I probably haven't explained this very well but please bear with me...if the rod had been fitted with the 'safety pin' type rings, the marks left in the stain by the original whipping would remain, and would only have a very small central gap between the legs. Further, the feet on this type of ring sit to the sides of the blank, and there is no sign of this. It is very hard to believe that the rings, as fitted, are not original rings...I am aware that the later, gold label Wizard's were fitted with 'Bell's life' intermediates. Is it possible that this rod was a transitional model, still Green stained, but fitted with the later style of ring ? Please note that the rings fitted are not 'Bell's life', but 'Stand off Bell's life"...Allcock's description,from their 1938/39 catalogue, which proves that they were in use pre war.
Sorry about the poor quality photo's, which were taken in strong sunlight and don't show the correct silk colour.
In conclusion, it's an important rod historically, but more importantly to me, it's far and away the nicest Wizard I have ever held, with the most beautiful action. As I said, I like Wizards
Gentlemen, I would value your opinions please.
I only consider myself the present custodian of this lovely rod and therefore wish to do it justice and not do anything which will cause confusion to future custodians.
Thank you anticipation.