H.L. Leonard pre-fire 7 ft.
~H.L. Leonard pre-fire 7 ft. 2pc/2 tips in 'Hunt' style (A.C.M.?). This rod is a bit of an enigma in that the only 'Hunt' style rods I have seen from before the fire in 1964 have been 8 foot 50DF models; this rod has all the hallmarks of darker cane showing signs of stain, blued ferrules and hardware, deeper red burgundy wraps, so perhaps it was a special order. Action is decidedly more full than seen on most Leonards, and in checking its taper against an A.C.M. I own, it is very close, so it is in my opinion likely that hard to find model. It does not have the undersized grip and short, delicate reel-seat usually seen on A.C.M. rods, however and weight is just shy of 2½ oz. Ferrule fits are perfect and the rod is very straight, especially given the use it has seen indicated by the grip soiling. All sections full length and without repairs or need for such. Most of the burgundy wraps are cracked and there are spots on the shaft where the varnish has been worn off and this is also true on the stained reel-seat. Were the rod mine, I would give it a full refinish, restoring all the bluing in the process; the quality of this rod certainly deserves it. In original Leonard tube and rod sack with stiffener sewn in. SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge
