MOHAWK

Question
I have a rod 4', agate guides, part cork and metal handle.  The metal part Has a type of finger hook that slides (i'm not sure why). Markings; MOHAWK and a decal THE PATRIOT
         AMERICA FIRST
The rod is round metal painted blue.
hope you can help me identify

Mel

Answer
Hi Mel,

Well, I did not find a specific answer, but here is some information for you...

These steel rods were generally made in the 1920s-1930s some as tubular, some solid, some round, some square, some telescoping, some multi-sections and some one piece.  Companies like Horton Manufacturing (Bristol, Conn), Folsom Arms, Gephart Manufacturing, Hurd, American Fork & Hoe (True Temper/Black & Decker) and maybe others, made the rods for others; or marketed the rods under their own name.  Yours sounds interesting and it sounds like it was an early rod based on the use of agate guides...perhaps among the initial steel rods made using typical bamboo rods parts that were on hand?

Mohawk was a model name used by several rod manufacturers which can be confusing.  It is also possible that this is a private label rod marketed by a small company who called their rod lineup Mohawk and The Patriot is the model name for this rod.  More confusion.  America First tends to reinforce the notion that this is an earlier rod, possibly made right after the first World War.  I do not have an answer for you as to exact maker.  I will add this one to my list of things to look for as I am researching rods and see what pops up.  It may take years or days, but I usually find something on this list as I am looking for something else.

The sliding ring with a finger hook is used to hold the reel in place.  I assume this is a casting rod based on the rod length and the sliding ring.  You should mount the reel by inserting one foot downward into the handle and then sliding the ring over the other foot.  the finger hook gives you something to hold onto when casting and the constantly applied pressure of your finger keeps the reel tightly in place.

Collector value for these old steel rods is not high. I have a couple of steel rods that we used when I was a kid; they work quite well and i always liked fishing with them.  Depending on actual condition and who the original maker was, the rod could be valued in the $15-$75 range.

Thanks,  Joe