Edgar Sealey ... un-named (as yet) 10ft 6in.

[Pedro]

Funny how many of us were watching that one!

Yes , quite a few

[Huttojon]

I've had a rummage and found a 1965/66 Bennetts catalogue that lists three rods in the Peter Butler Specimen range,all three were !0ft 6in,they were Roach,Light Carp and S.U Carp.These rods all featured (it says) "gold carbide butt and tip rings for extra wear and corrosion resistance.Altogether the perfect choice for the specialist angler intent on big fish".All three rods carried a price of £10 !0/-.i hope that this helps.JohN

[AshbyCut]

That's excellent Huttojon, Sir. Many thanks.

It seems that the model name is missing ... so how to work out which one it might be? Attempt to check the test curve, I suppose. This gets more intriguing as it goes along. I love it !!!

[AshbyCut]

Well, the rod arrived this morning ... and yes HuttoJohn, Sir, the butt and tip rings do show what was a gold finish ! That seems to confirm that it's one of the Peter Butler Specimen Range.

I've had my calipers out to compare the measurements given for the Chapman's 500 and 550 ... and as close as I can get it they are these :-

Lengths :-

Butt ...... 500/24" ...... 550/28" ...... Sealey/30"
Centre ...... 500/48" ...... 550/47" ...... Sealey/49.5"
Tip ...... 500/48" ...... 550/47" ...... Sealey/48"
Overall ...... 500/120" ...... 550/120" ...... Sealey/125.5"

Tapers :-

Centre ...... 500/.425" - .321" ...... 550/.455" - .321" ...... Sealey/.500" - .390"
Tip ...... 500/.281" - .123" ...... 550/.297" - .120" ...... Sealey/.316" - .118"

I'm thinking that it would not, therefore, be the Roach version !!! (but I'm open to learning, as usual)

I can't account for the fact that the 'two fishes' logo is there (though a bit nibbled), whilst the other transfers have either been removed or in some other way come adrift (there are coloured patches where they were). Nor can I explain the difference in the colour of the two section, both in the cane and the whipping which, I have to say, looks original to my inexperienced eye. Some whippings could do with being replaced, as could a couple of the guides.

Fortunately the ferrules show no sign of problems, 'plopping' nicely.

The tip is marred by a set, which I think I'd need to get sorted professionally as I think that this will, once restored, make a really nice rod.

[AshbyCut]

Update ...

A net search just came up with this reference to a glass rod in the 1967 Sealey Catalogue ... "The Peter Butler Mark 2 Carp Rod; ?An outstanding rod in close-whipped split cane, with fast sensitive tip and stiff butt and middle. Three-piece short butt construction, fitted with gold carbide butt and end rings. Whippings ? plum. Length 10 1/2 feet?..Price ?11 14s 2d?. That?s verbatim from the catalogue. Other rods by Butler in the same catalogue are the Mark 4 Barbel, three-piece 11 ft; the Mark 5 Carp three-piece 101/2 ft and the Mark 6 Roach three-piece 111/2 ft. All three were ?In natural hollow glass with stand-off rings and plum whippings. Handle and furnishings as illustration. Shown with the Diamond Super de Luxe reel?. They were each priced at £9 17 8d."

http://www.thepathbythewater.net/wb/171.htm

That could make mine the cane fore-runner of the MkVI Carp.

The search continues.

[JohnL]

Looks like you've got something really special there AC.,well worth getting the tip sorted out.

[MGs]

Looks as if it could be a good find. I have several Sealey rods. It seems to me that they didn't give much thought to the colour of the cane. I have noticed differences in colour, not as marked as yours but not far off

[GazTheAngler]

A nice rod AC.

Where the JW ones in ok nick too.

Gaz

[AshbyCut]

Were the JW ones in ok nick too

Very good nick, Sir. In fact, the Six shooter and reel are being collected by a fellow TFF member, and I'm going to offer the early Quiver in the For Sale section to aid towards the Sealey Restoration Fund. I'll post a picture there.

[GazTheAngler]

Funny enough I was going to suggest just that in my other post. The early JW Avon Quivers to not command as much as say a Drennan Tench rod, but you should get a reasonable bung for the repair fund i hope.

Gaz