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Heddon #17 3/2 seems unusual - 9 1/2' long?

Author	Comment
adriancockcroft	Heddon #17 3/2 seems unusual - 9 1/2' long?		Lead	[-]
Posts: 2 01/01/2008 00:32	Tags : None Hi folks, I'm figuring out a few things, and getting some more questions.... I have two rods that my wife inherited, and I'm trying to figure out exactly what they are and what to do with them. Her family lived in Los Angeles area from 1900 and she inherited them in about 1990. One is a Hardy Palakona Deluxe, serial number "22393B" the serial number guide indicates the letter should be first, but it seems that this is the same as B22393 and was made in 1919. The rod is in excellent condition, in an unmarked brown cloth wrapper in a Hardy signed bamboo tube, and it looks hardly used. Its a 3/2, 9 feet long. The other is a Heddon #17, three piece 9 1/2 long with two tips, in a Heddon marked wrapper in a Heddon marked aluminum tube. The tips look a little thinner, the label on the tube says No. 17, Lgth. 9 1/2, Wt 2 1/2 oz I think. The cork handle and rod itself also looks little used, but the screw thread for holding the reel has disintegrated. Can I tell how old the Heddon might be? It doesn't have the black section in the handle, so its not a black beauty, and none of the info I can find on the Heddon #17 mentions a 9 1/2 long version. Has anyone else heard of a longer #17, and what range of years could this be? Thanks for any input, Adrian Pictures: Last Edited By: adriancockcroft 01/07/2008 06:01. Edited 3 times.
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newtobamboo2		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 53 01/02/2008 02:15	I would put this on the aprasial forum and get an idea of value before you do anything hasty. Then go from there, here or ebay. mark.computershop (at) gmail.com
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flyfishermann1955		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 106 01/07/2008 08:36	Michael Sinclair's book, Heddon: The Rod With the Fighting Heart, shows the #17 was available in a 3-piece, 9.5' length every year it was in production (1931-1955+). This was the longest model #17 made by Heddon and probaby the least "in demand" length. As a general rule, shorter length rods (in the same condition) are more sought after and therefore more valuable. If the part of the reel seat that has disintegrated is made of Pyralin, your rod dates to 1934-1935 (see pages 134-135 of Sinclair's book). I believe the name "Black Beauty", applies to all #17s, not just the ones with black reel seats, or the Post-Clasic Era (1949-1956) rods that actually had "Black Beauty" written on them. The 2 and 1/2 you mention on the tube's label probably refers to the rod's ferrule size (not its weight). That would make this rod a "Heavy Trout/Bass" model. Measure the ferrule on the butt section; it should be 19/64ths. It doesn't seem possible that a mid-30s era, 9.5' rod would only weigh 2 and 1/2 ounces! Ken
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cebfishing		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 379 01/18/2008 01:02	The rod is most likely built in 1934 or 1935, based on type of reel seat. It was called "Black Beauty" from the start. As stated, it was always available in the 9.5 ft length. With this length, heavy style (2 1/2 f) ferrule size, and condition, it is probably about $225 - $275. Best wishes. Last Edited By: cebfishing 01/20/2008 02:48. Edited 1 time.
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adriancockcroft		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4 01/20/2008 16:06	Many thanks! This is very helpful. Cheers Adrian
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