EDW. VOMHOFE No .4 saltwater rod

Question
QUESTION: Hi Joe, I have just acquired an EDW.VOMHOFE #4 saltwater rod.i am not sure if it is bambo,hartwood or hickory butit is stiff.The butt section measures 16 3/8" with ratan handle and what looks like german silver reel seat and butt cap. The fore   section measures 66 3/8" out of the three double sided guides one ring is missing (red) out of the frame. The next set up befofe the tip is missing completly.Also twenty of the single wraped spacing threads (red) are missing as well. The fore grip is 3 3/8" x 7/8" also ratan. What can you tell me about this peice ? any inforemation is much appreciated ! I understand these rods are somewhat on the rare side. Thanks again, Joe

ANSWER: Hi Joe,

If it is bamboo, it will be six sided split bamboo.  If it is round, it will be greenheart wood or hickory.

My value book (homel, 2003) shows three possibilities:

Deep sea trolling rod 5'0" with 18" rattan grip (ca. 1915)

Greenheart wood boat rod 6'0" (dual agate guides) (ca.1900-1910)

Hickory wood ocean rod 5'6" (ca. 1900)

Since you have the dual agate guides, and the length is about right, I would guess this one is greenheart wood.

Any of these three rods in poor-fair condition would be worth around $100 as long as most of the pieces are there.  You are missing some guides and intermediate wraps.

As condition gets better, the value goes up.  These rods are somewhat rare and it might be worth your while to look into having it restored.

I suggest taking it to a qualified appraiser and restoration expert to determine whether or not the expene of restoration would result in sifficient value to make it worhtwhile.  Either way, you do have a genuine piece of history that is around 100 years old.

Thanks,  joe



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

QUESTION: Hey Joe, Thanks for the quick response! I Forgot to mention that this was a six sided rod so i would say then ,that it would be of bamboo construction. I would like to have it restored but will have to research who undertakes such endevers in my area. Thanks again Joe! I greatly appreciate your time and knowledge. Joe

Answer
Hi Joe,

If it is split bamboo, then it is almost certainly the Deep Sea Trolling model.  I know a lot of rod builders around the country.  Send me an email at [email protected] and let me know where you are located.  I may know someone in your area that can help.

Thanks, Joe