I have an early Hardy Gold medal fly rod which I think is in original condition and has the date stamp of 50216, which dates it just prior to 1900. Both tips are straight and the correct length, whippings are sound and there is no damage to the rod at all which is quite remarkable considering it was made well before the first manned flight!
What is interesting is the rod holder, which fits the rod perfectly and is a good fit in the bag. The bag incidentally has no divisions or evidence of any previous longitudinal stitching so I can only assume it is period. Does anyone know if the wooden holder was offered as an optional extra at the time of purchase? I have seen something similar offered as an option on a slightly later Milwards advert as well as on Thomas Turners website where there is a later G prefix Gold Medal rod with a similar holder.
One thing that is amiss on the rod is that the W reel fitting has been repositioned an inch or two lower than its usual place, evident by the small cork plugs where the screw holes were, going by the patina, this is a very old modification.
If anyone can offer any info on the holder it would be appreciated.
