Heddon Expert # 125

Question
Dear Joe,
I have a Heddon Expert # 125-8-1 3/4-F-HDH or E in perfect condition.It looks as if it's never been used.It has more wear from being stored in the cloth case than from actual use.I do not have the hard case for it.The soft case has a few small holes but information tag is still intact and very legible.Will this hurt the overall value if I was to sell it?What does the F-HDH or E stand for?Is that the line size?If so what size is it?Could you help me with the year it was made.I think it's 50's to 60's.I've heard the fashion in which the name is written (diagonal or straight) has something to do with it.So, the big question - with what I've described to you, what do you think this rod is worth?Any other insight that you my have would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!Thank you for all of your expertise!I believe I can speak for all of us in saying "your knowledge is our power". Thanks again for your time!! MT  

Answer
Hi Mike,

The Heddon #115 Premier and the #125 Expert models tend to always cause a bit of confusion when discussing Heddon fly rods.  These two rods were private label rods made by Heddon specifically for Sears yet they did carry the Heddon name.  They are not part of the #100 Extra-Light Series of rods made by Heddon although they are often presented as such.  For those who may be interested, Michael Sinclair's excellent book, "Heddon, The Rod With The FIGHTING HEART", is an excellent source for details on the various Heddon rod models and my source for most of this response.

Sears sold two grades of bamboo fly rod made by Heddon...the #115 Premier was advertsied as the "Better" grade and the #125 Expert was advertised as the "Best" grade. Both were quality rods approaching the Heddon #20 Bill Stanley rods.  They were made from #20 grade cane but had fewer guides and less expensive reel seats.  The #115 Premier had all bright hardware and gold wraps. The #125 Expert had gold Japanned ferrules and reel seat hardware and gold plated guides and was wrapped in black with gold tipping.  It is important to note the gold plating and gold Japanning on the #125 as opposed to the real gold applied to the Heddon #1000 Rod of Rods.

The short version is...these are high quality rods, but not quite as high quality as some of the actual Heddon models sold by Heddon.

These two rods did not carry the Sears name at all which makes them unusual in the private label business...typically a private label rod would carry the name of the seller, not the maker.  Sears got a good deal on the rods by allowing Heddon to get the exposure in the market by adding their name to the rods.

Having said all that...you do have a nice rod.  In excellent condition, with the original bag and rod tube and all four sections at full length, it would be valued in the $600-$650 range due to the length.  Shorter bamboo rods (and fly rods in general) are valued higher than longer models of the same type.  The lack of the original rod tube will lower the value by maybe 10-15 percent.  The holes in the rod bag won't really affect the value since you have the tag intact.  I would guess that your rod, in excellent condition, would be valued somewhere in the $500-$600 range.  

An accurate estimation of value would be best done by taking the rod to someone who can inspect in person and provide you with an assessment of actual condition.  Look for a qualified antique dealer or appraiser with experience in vintage fishing gear in your region. It would probably be worth your while to take the rod in person and be there as the inspection is done.

The rod was made in the 1940s or early 1950s; Heddon offered bamboo rods for the last time in 1956.

The #125-8-1 3/4-F-HDH or E inscription means:

#125    is the model number
8       is the rod length (8 feet)
1 3/4-F is the designation for ferrule size used by Heddon
HDH     is the equivalent of a modern 6wt DT line
E       is the equivalent of a modern 5wt Level line
 
Your rod will use either a 6wt Double Taper (DT) or a 6wt Weight Forward (WF) or a 5wt Level fly line in modern terms.  The 1 3/4 ferrule size is equivalent to 17/64ths and would be used for a Light Trout rod...the tip section ferrule would be 10.5/64ths on the 8 foot 3-piece model.

The spiral marking of the "Heddon" name was discontinued in 1948 and the inscription from then on was done straight on one flat of the rod shaft.  This will help you determine the era (but necessarily the exact year) when your rod was made.

Thanks,  Joe