Value Estimate: Vintage Kennedy Bros. Arms Co. Bamboo Fly Rod (1950s)

Question
QUESTION: I have a Kennedy and Bros. Arms Co. Bamboo fly rod with extra tip and original case that my Brothers and I purchased for my fathers birthday in 1950.  As young boys we tried to cast with it in the yard but it is essentially in good to excellent condition.  Where can I get an estimate as to its value?

ANSWER: Hi Raymond,

Your rod was made by Heddon and sold by Kennedy Bros Arms Company.  It is what is called a private label rod or trade rod.  Most rod makers build private label rods and put their commercial customer's name on the rod so it can be sold as if the customer is the maker.  This remains an active practice today. My own company builds private label rods for an assortment of commercial clients.

Kennedy Bros used model numbers rather than model names and I do not know if a correlation between Kennedy Bros numbers and specific Heddon rod models exists.  If it does, I don't know of it or have a copy.  If we were able to identify which Heddon model your rod is based on, we could possibly develop a better estimate of value.

We do know that Heddon made private label rods for many other companies and we can draw some general conclusions from the prices those rods bring.  Looking over a few of the other companies for which I do have data, and assuming your rod to have very little use, I could guess its value if I knew how long it is and how many rod sections total.

If you can respond with that data, I'll make my best guess at value.

Thanks,  Joe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the quick response.  It is 3 sections and 9 feet long, with an extra tip section.
Ray

Answer
Hi Ray,

The trade rods most likely were made with bamboo and components from the middle of the Heddon lineup.  Assuming this a typical 9'0" rod with both tips in Good-Very Good condition would be valued in the $150-$250 range; in Excellent-Mint condition it would be in the $250-$350 range.

The original case and rod bag helps enhance the value.

Thanks,  Joe