Bristol F-7 Fly Rod: History & Value - Horton Mfg. Co.

Question
I have a Bristol F-7 split bamboo 3 section fly rod with two different tip sections, 1 @ 34 1/2" the other 32". The canvas case reads "Bristol" Fishing Rod, The Horton Mfg. Co. Bristol,Conn. It was my fathers-born 1901- and given to him by my mom-married 1929. It's only a keepsake but I have wondered if there is anything else special about it. I'm amazed that, as a kid, I never broke it.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Theo,

The bamboo fly rods sold by Bristol (Horton) were actually made by E.W. Edwards & Sons; Horton merged with Edwards in 1930.  Edwards was a maker of very high grade fly rods so you have a quality rod.  The one tip being short (likely broken at some point) will take away from the value.

With the short tip this rod would be valued in the $200-$300 range depending on actual rod condition.

Thanks,  Joe