A South Bend bamboo rod, #24, 8-1/2’. It’s about as close to mint as you’d find, unless you walked into a sporting goods store about 60 years ago. Both tips original length, original bag. I’m not sure the tube is original (most of these old South Bends I’ve seen have cardboard tubes) but it fits just fine so close enough. It’s marked for an HDH line which equates to a 6wt; a perfect spot for a DT on my old Medalist. For $20 I couldn’t pass it up…
COOL!! Great find!
Mike
Nice score! If you want to part with it, I’ll double your money…
I must be off,
Brad
I’m envious. I hope you will fish it.
That is indeed a great find!!! Congratulations.
Jim Smith
Nice find!!
The South Bend #24 is a pretty decent rod. To find one in such great shape is a very nice find indeed!
Very nice indeed!
Congratulations on the sweet find.
Score!!! I concur with the “fish it” sentiment! Should be a lot of fun for trout and panfish!
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I have a 7’6" SB#25 “Double built” made in 1939, and it has that same tube,
… and I paid a lot more for mine than 20 bucks
Thanks. Kinda hoped the tube was original but wasn’t going to gripe if not. Yeah, I usually try to dicker a bit on price but I was so shocked I just handed him the twenty. There was another guy looking at it over my shoulder as I paid!
What does the term “double built” mean? I’ve seen it but have no idea.
I have a SB#76 9’ which I think is for 7wt line. It needs a guide replaced and a little minor work, and the cork is a little rough, but it’s straight and all original including sock and tube (cardboard). It was a $2.50 garage sale purchase, so I guess I’ve done OK on these two!
On the double built rods there’s 2 layers of bamboo… in the butt section anyway
On the interior, the sections are planed to a pie shape like normal. Then there’s a second layer glued over that of the “powerfibers”
That’s the way I understand it anyway
It makes for a hefty rod
The #25 is easily a 7wt. Unusual for a 7’6"
And I believe that was the shortest rod that SB made at the time.