Quite a history has this circa 1870s rod! Although unmarked, it has the hallmarks of a Thomas Tout rod, and as the mystery unravels that becomes more apparent. The rod was purchased near Cambridge, Ma, where Tout was located. It was in its original state, but had delaminated. The purchaser sent the rod to Jim Franks at H.L.Leonard, who completely stripped the rod, separated the four rounded Calcutta cane strips from each section, cleaned them of all old adhesive, and carefully re-glued the rod. In so doing, he was able to observe all facets of the original construction, and it was possible, from his notes, to eliminate Charles Murphy and conclude the rod was, indeed, the work of Thomas Tout. Complete details of the history and restoration of this rod can be found in Thomas C. Kerr's Early American Rods and Rodmakers. All sections are full length, although the tip measures just under a half inch short, too slight a length to have been broken and repaired, so it is believed the rod was built that way. Wraps are dark red as were the originals, hanging ring guides throughout with three ring top guide, spiked nickel silver ferrules, hardwood reel seat with nickel silver butt cap, followed by 1/2" red silk wrapped section, followed by 2 1/2" mortised nickel silver barrel at rear of reel seat, black silk wrapped grip, and 3/4" fluted nickel silver collar at winding check. Female ferrules are nickel silver, non-welted. Non-original bag and aluminum tube. From the Thomas C. Kerr collection of Historic 19th century fishing rods.