Leonard 50 Hang Tag Question

[bobk]

I have a Model 50 that I was told was made in 1938 and it was a wedding present to the father of the man I bought it from.
My question is what does the SPECIAL on the tag indicate.



The Butt cap is marked on the front



and on the other side is TOURNAMENT

Thank you,
Bob

[Booman2]

That's interesting and I wonder if Leonard inked the wrong tag, but that is just a wild guess. Most M-50's from that era that I have seen and have red lettering on them say "tournament." The word "Special" in red was normally used on Models 51, 52 etc., Steelhead and Western Tournament rods. I wait for the response of more qualified members...

[Salar4me]

Nice rod - nice wedding present, almost makes me want to get married again...

[FiberGrass]

What is the weight on the tag? 3 3/8oz?

[bobk]

I sure looks like that to me but I no longer have the rod as it his in transit to its new owner.

[FiberGrass]

If it is 3 3/8oz, then it's not a typical Model 50; those are usually ~ 3 7/8oz. A light version of a Model 50 sounds like a super cool rod. Beautiful condition too.

[barebo]

I'm containing my anticipation as well as I can, but will be like a kid on Christmas morning when it arrives. It will be my first Leonard and a rod I've wanted since my first bamboo rod made me a convert from glass and graphite. I can't lie, I'm pretty excited to receive it!

[bluesjay]

Hi Guys, Here's a discussion of Leonard Tournament and Special Tournament. I have a 9 foot so marked and the only thing I see is that the reel seat is shorter than normal. It's a Butternut seat. I guess it could be said that since the seat is short is/was 'special.

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=45157&p=841903&hil ... nt#p841903

Jay Edwards

[barebo]

Well, Per usual, the post office has deflated my bubble. Rod was in Rochester on Friday and supposed to arrive today. I'm just east of Syracuse, NY and in 3 days it couldn't make it 90 miles? Last time I ordered tippet from Colorado it was handled 22 yes Twenty Two times for 2 small tippet spools.
I'm at a loss here?

[barebo]

With a sigh of relief, I have to admit my previous post may have been a bit hasty, however, this is a rod impossible to replace and having received items late and damaged previously has me somewhat "gun shy".
Having said that, the rod arrived today and it is everything I'd hoped for and more. Being a blue collar individual (proudly I might add), having a rod of this quality is the pinnacle of my fishing experience and to me is a treasure. The old world craftsmanship and Leonard legacy simply exude from the rod. On my very accurate postal scale, it weighs 3.6 ounces. It's on hold for about 3 weeks as I had hand surgery this a.m.

[Salar4me]

Mark - you could always let me give it a test drive (ha!). Hope the recovery goes well!

[barebo]

Jim- next time we have an outing I might let you hold it if you promise not to fondle it too aggressively! It's a thing of beauty.