

Rick
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notenoughhours |
Appleton & Bassett of Boston - Montague? |
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I am researching a rod which is only marked Appleton & Bassett, Boston and the number 37. I have read the reference to this retailer in Campbell's
book where he mentions that E, T and P supplied high quality rods to them and they had the reputation for carrying high quality fishing tackle. This one
appears to me untrained eye to be an early Montague. I have not found any references to them in anything I have read. What say Ye?
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Rick
Last Edited By: notenoughhours 05/23/2008 09:21.
Edited 1 time.
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Whitefish Press |
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Mary Kelly in her new book references the history of George B. Appleton from Appleton & Litchfield to Appleton & Bassett, a name change that occurred
in 1893. So that's the earliest your rod could have been made, and definitely right in Montague's prime rodmaking years. George Appleton was a very
important player in the Boston tackle field for over two decades.
-- Dr. Todd |
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jeffkn1 |
Appleton & Bassett rods | #2 | ||
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A rod marked Appleton & Bassett would be 1893 - 1901, a period during which Edwards was mostly a nonplayer in the rod biz. The example in question
here appears to me to have a later, post-1900 style reel seat. A view of the grip and reel seat would tell us a bit more about it.
I have an Appleton & Bassett with all the characteristics mentioned by AJ. Notice the Kosmic-style winding check, 1/8" rings, and the Kosmic tip tube, identifiable by its tapered collar. ![]() ![]()
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notenoughhours |
Appleton & Bassett | #3 | ||
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jeffkn1 |
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I saw that one on xbay and know that it went for what seems to be a reasonable price, but I haven't seen any detail photos yet. From a distance there are
some similarities between that one and mine.
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notenoughhours |
#5 | |||
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I was interested in it for a while, but it went over my budget. It looks like two other rods I have that are much like yours without all of the other sections,
and the one which was for sale. I know mine are early Montague. I thought that when he corrected his length description that it would go for much less than it
did. But, you are a much better authority on them than I am. Rick
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jeffkn1 |
#6 | |||
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Rods of that era weren't often seen in 8' lengths. His correction was made after he had replied to my request for a measurement of the butt section. I
figure that seat and grip combined are usually about 10-11" on rods that old and that was looking to me like it had 40" sections. I simply hold a
ruler up to the screen and measure from butt cap to winding check, then extrapolate that for the whole length. After hearing it was 39" I told him he had
a 10' rod rather than an 8 footer.
It probably had a third tip section when it was new, since the deluxe putup was traditionally 1 butt/2 mids/3 tips, and it's showing only 2 & 2 but it's full length and appears to have a good finish. Collectibles of that style, vintage, and condition are not overpriced at $200-250, so anything under that can be viewed as reasonable |
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notenoughhours |
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So, Jeff, This was a learning exercise for me. I am hoping to get to the point to where I can actually contribute to the board, instead of always asking for
it's help. Was I correct in my assumption that the rod was early Montague?
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jeffkn1 |
#8 | |||
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Hate to say it, but without more and/or better detail photos I can't be sure. If we could put it side by side with mine I could tell. Don't worry about
asking and not contributing yet. None of us was born with this info, and I can guarantee you that ALL of us have had a lot of help along the way. That's
precisely why we help the newbies.
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notenoughhours |
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I know one thing....this hobby can sure take up some time. The ferrules on your rod appear to be different with the markings on the tip of the butt section
ferrule. I have seen them before, but I can't remember what rod they were on....Edwards?...Vom Hofe? Or is it the hand welted serrated Montague ferrule?
Your tip tube is also like some of the Vom Hofe rods I have seen. So many ways to be wrong........
Last Edited By: notenoughhours 05/29/2008 20:30.
Edited 1 time.
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