Vintage Action-Rod and 2 other rods

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Douglas,

I was recently given three fishing rods. I spent some time cleaning them up and now was wondering if you could help identify and value them. Two of them have no visible markings and the third has the following:

Action-Rod
Orchard Industries Inc.
Detroit 12. Mich
Pat No. 1920966

Approximate Measurements:
Straight Cork Rod - 55" with a 10.5" handle
Curved Cork Rod - 51.5" with a 10" handle
Red Action-Rod - 55" with a 10.5" handle

Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

ANSWER: Hi Abe,

Are these steel rods or fiberglass rods?

Does the Red Action-Rod have bakelite (early plastic) handle components?

I suspect the other two rods are not ActionRod products but something more generic.  If so, they would likely be valued in the $5-$25 range depending on actual condition.

A little more information about the Red Action-Rod will help the evaluation on it.

Thanks,  Joe


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


Red Action-Rod   QUESTION: Mr. Douglas,

I appreciate your response.

The Red Action-Rod is steel. I am not sure how to tell if it is bakelite. It feels like plastic to me (hard, doesn't scratch easily, and cleans up very easily).

Is there any way to make sure it is bakelite? and if it is what would that do to the value?

Thank You!

Abe

Answer
Hi Abe,

The steel Action Rod with Bakelite grip is one of the more valuable of the old steel casting rods...primarily due to the fancy handle. Bakelite is a very early version of plastic, very hard, durable and polishes well.

This rod, depending on actual condition of the rod, would be valued as follows:

Poor-Fair condition...........$20-$35

Good-Very Good condition......$60-$90

Excellent-Mint condition......$110-$135

Not bad for a gift.

Thanks,  Joe