Authenticating & Valuing Vintage Milward Greenheart Fly Rods

Question
I have found a person that wants to sell me what is listed as a milward"brook trout" greenheart flyrod. How do I know it is what he says it is and what the going price should be. It is in very good condition. It is a three piece fly rod and he says it is over 100 years old. If you could help me with this I would be very grateful.

Answer
Hi William,

Milward's made a fairly wide variety of rods many of which were made of greenheart wood.  Unfortunately, my reference book does not include all of their models.  I do not list one called the "brook trout" but that does not mean such a model does not exist.  A Milward's greenheart rod would be at least 90 years old and likely over 100 years. Value on a rod like this would be in the $150-$250 range depending on actual condition of the rod.

Thanks,  Joe