Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

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Old Creel
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Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#1

Post by Old Creel »

Happy new year all. Picked up this unmarked 8ft rod. At first blush I felt Thomas was the maker and then some things like the winding check and reel seat band made me wonder. I know there are unmarked Thomas rods but have not seen a Payne.
Thanks
Bob
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hopkintoncane
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#2

Post by hopkintoncane »

Two thoughts just off the cuff, dimensions of the rod based on total lenght pics make it look longer than 8 foot, all sections are 32.5??.......as far as provenance, concentric rings suggest early northeast builder or use of Chubb hardware, how about an early Varney or Bartlett, progression of signatures suggest western Mass heritage, obviously a higher-grade fairy or catskill style rod based on snake stripper, actually surprised one of the tip tops is not an agate. Todd

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Old Creel
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#3

Post by Old Creel »

Nice catch Todd, my bad. 8.5'

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thomasrodco
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#4

Post by thomasrodco »

Seat definitely has the looks of an early Dirigo..

wrong66
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#5

Post by wrong66 »

Seamed & soldered seat?

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hatch
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#6

Post by hatch »

early Thomas Dirigo. Like usual, some things compare and some things don't.
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Last edited by hatch on 01/23/22 03:37, edited 2 times in total.

tyghguy
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#7

Post by tyghguy »

I thought Dirigo at first glance. But why the blackened ferrules and purple wrapping thread ? Just trying to learn more about these rods. That is a beauty.

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Old Creel
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#8

Post by Old Creel »

Blued or blackened ferrules were used by Thomas and I believe other makers on certain model rods. Although I have seen "purple" thread on an early Payne, I think this is just my camera filter. To the naked eye it seems to be a deep red.

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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#9

Post by Woodlakejag »

I’m leaning towards Ed Payne
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roycestearns
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#10

Post by roycestearns »

It appears the ferrules have been re blued, compare the finish to the wear on the tip tops.
On the males, the blue /black overlap unto the slide doesn't fit with the rest of the detail.

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Old Creel
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#11

Post by Old Creel »

Agree someone has been at it finish wise and I also am leaning towards Payne.

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cwfly
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#12

Post by cwfly »

I am in the Edward F. Payne camp on this one.

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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#13

Post by Bamboocollector#1 »

I am also in the Ed Payne camp; very "Vidmarish".
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Short Tip
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#14

Post by Short Tip »

I'm going with FET, but why unmarked? I also think the ferrule bluing is an add on.

Check out this early 8'3" Dirigo. No number on butt cap, just concentric rings. Has the same ferrules or close, probably improved Chubb stuff. Look at the long females with waists. The seamed lock ring. Just a guess of course.

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Bamboocollector#1
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#15

Post by Bamboocollector#1 »

After seeing Paul's rod and taking the time to actually download the original posters pics so I could magnify the details, I am going to change my vote to F. E. Thomas. I could only see the Knurling on the reel seat hood under magnification.
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#16

Post by Bamboocollector#1 »

After seeing Paul's rod and taking the time to actually download the original posters pics so I could magnify the details, I am going to change my vote to F. E. Thomas. I could only see the Knurling on the reel seat hood under magnification.
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MGrallert
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#17

Post by MGrallert »

Thomas used left twist snakes was it common for Payne to use them as well?

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cwfly
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#18

Post by cwfly »

I think that is a Touradif sliding band. I.e., Edward Payne, who did use English twist snake guides.
Look at photograph # 8 (down) in post # 81, page five, of this link. Thanks, Teter, it is your photograph.
And the knurling on the reel seat hooded cap appears on Kosmics, E. F. Payne and F. E. Thomas rods. It's a common detail.
Sorry, here is the link:
viewtopic.php?t=53828&hilit=payne+touradif&start=80

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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#19

Post by tyghguy »

I think you may have nailed it. The same winding check as well.

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Short Tip
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Re: Unmarked..Payne or Thomas

#20

Post by Short Tip »

Thanks Charlie! If nothing else, we've seen how intertwined the DNA of Payne and Thomas is. Interesting thread!

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