Goodwin C. Granger began building bamboo rods commercially in Denver, Colorado, in about 1919 and by 1920 had formed Goodwin Granger & Co. In 1926 the company was renamed Goodwin Granger Co. The early model Goodwin Rod, Granger Rod, Colorado Special and Denver Special were renamed in 1930 and the new names remained relatively consistent throughout the history of the company. New models such as the Champion and Victory were added later.
All models were of consistent high quality with the same nickel silver ferrules and reel seat and the same precise construction. Only the grading of the cane, the style of the windings and the number of guides per section varied between the higher and lower priced models. All Granger rods (except the Colorado Special and Denver Special, which were light colored cane) featured a unique tempering process with ammonia steam which gave the bamboo a distinct resiliency of action and a characteristic rich caramel color for which these rods are famous. Granger referred to each different named rod as grades rather than models. Models referred to specific lengths and weights within each grade. Only the grade name, such as Granger Deluxe or Granger Premier appeared on the rod shaft. The model designation appeared only on rod tubes. Therefore it is difficult to differentiate between different nine-foot models merely by inspecting a rod. All rods during the early era were identified with the grade name inscribed on the reel seat between the decorative knurled bands. With the introduction of the internal uplock seat in about 1936, the grade name was moved to the shaft of the rod and the company name was stamped in the reel seat.
Mr. Granger died in 1931 but the company continued to produce high quality rods until just before World War II. Bill Phillipson was production superintendent from the time of Granger's death until the company closed because of the war. After WW II the company was purchased by the Wright & McGill Rod Co. which continued to produce Granger rods until the mid-50's.
Goodwin Granger Registered
8½' 4½ oz. Model RX8642 $1500
9' 5 oz. Model RX9050 $900
The Goodwin Rod
7½' 4½ oz. Model R17630 $800
8½' 4½ oz. Model R18642 $450
9' 5 oz. Model R19050 $350
9½ 5¾ oz. Model R19653 $325
The Granger Rod
7½' 4½ oz. Model GR7630 $800
8½' 4½ oz. Model GR8642 $475
9' 5 oz. Model GR9050 $375
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GR9653 $350
Denver Special
8½' 4½ oz. Model DS8642 $425
9' 5 oz. Model DS9050 $325
9½ 5¾ oz. Model DS9653 $300
Colorado Special
8½' 4½ oz. Model CS8642 $450
9' 5 oz. Model CS9050 $350
9½ 5¾ oz. Model CS9653 $325
Champion
8½' 4½ oz. Model GC8642 $350
9' 5 oz. Model GC9050 $275
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GC9660 $250
Victory
8' 4 oz. Model GV8040 $700
8½' 4½ oz. Model GV8642 $400
9' 5 oz. Model GV9050 $300
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GV9660 $275
Special
7½' 3 oz. Model GS7633 $800
8' 4 oz. Model GS8040 $725
8½' 4½ oz. Model GS8642 $425
9' 5 oz. Model GS9050 $325
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GS9653 $300
10' 6½ oz. Model GS1062 $325
Aristocrat
7' 3 oz. Two-Piece $1100
7½' 3 oz. Model GA7633 $850
8' 4 oz. Model GA8040 $750
8½' 4½ oz. Model GA8642 $450
9' 5 oz. Model GA9050 $350
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GA9653 $300
10' 6½ oz. Model GA1062 $325
Favorite
7½' 3 oz. Model GF7633 $850
8' 4 oz. Model GF8040 $750
8½' 4½ oz. Model GF8642 $450
9' 5 oz. Model GF9050 $350
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GF9653 $300
10' 6½ oz. Model GF1062 $325
DeLuxe
7' 3 oz. Two-Piece $1200
7½' 3 oz. Model GD7633 $900
8' 4 oz. Model GD8040 $775
8½' 4½ oz. Model GD8642 $525
9' 5 oz. Model GD9050 $400
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GD9653 $350
10' 6½ oz. Model GD1062 $375
Premier
7½' 3 oz. Model GP7633 $925
8' 4 oz. Model GP8040 $800
8½' 4½ oz. Model GP8642 $525
9' 5 oz. Model GP9050 $425
9½ 5¾ oz. Model GP9653 $375
10' 6½ oz. Model GP1062 $400
Registered rods available on Special Order
7½' 3 oz. Model RX7633 $3000
8' 4 oz. Model RX8040 $2500
9' 4¾ oz. Model RX9043 $900
9' 5¾ oz. Model RX9053 $900
9½ 5½ oz. Model RX9652 $850
9½ 5¾ oz. Model RX9653 $850
9½ 6 oz. Model RX9660 $850
10' 6½ oz. Model RX1062 $750
Rods carrying the Granger name are being produced by rodmaker Gary Lacey who also makes rods under his own name.
History and value of Goodwin Granger Rods
History of the Goodwin Granger Rod Co. Feel free to discuss Goodwin Granger Rods here.
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