Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

ORCA Online Forum - Feel free to talk or ask about ALL kinds of old tackle here, with an emphasis on old reels!
Post Reply
User avatar
Deepfins791
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 311
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:37 pm
Contact:

Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

Post by Deepfins791 »

Does anyone recognize the inscription on this rod? I can't make it out. It is on a very heavy solid hickory big game rod.

Thanks for any help!
John

User avatar
Steve
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3940
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 6:11 am
Contact:

Re: Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

Post by Steve »

Does this help? Looks like "Built by William ???? W(?)A"

Steve Vernon
ORCA Honorary member

Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
User avatar
Midway Tommy D
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3135
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:23 pm
Location: Eastern NE

Re: Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

Post by Midway Tommy D »

Here's another tint:
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)

Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
User avatar
Deepfins791
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 311
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:37 pm
Contact:

Re: Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

Post by Deepfins791 »

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your efforts! I've played around quite a bit with the picture using a number of photo shopping tools, but it still comes up ineligible. I am leaning towards Loudon, NH for the place, and the name almost looks like a couple of initials, and then the name"Wagner". There are Wagner's residing in Loudon, and the town is close to the ocean. Maybe I'll give one of them a call. I think anyone who has one of this guy's rods would probably immediately recognize the inscription. But trying to make heads or tales of it when it is heavily scripted and missing pieces is proving to be tough. It is barely legible, even when I look at it through a high power magnifying glass from all angles and different lighting. I am fairly confident the first letter of the town is L, though. That letter shows up pretty good under a mag' glass. I googled cities that start with an L in NH, NJ, NY and WA. The two towns I thought looked closest to the inscription were Linden, NJ, and Loudon, NH. Of the two, Loudon has more of a big game fisherman vibe to it, and there are bluefin tuna waters close by.

Gotta love a good mystery!!

Cheers,
John
User avatar
1badf350
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 309
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:56 pm
Location: Gaithersburg, Md

Re: Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

Post by 1badf350 »

Linden, NJ was my first guess.
-Chris R.
User avatar
reeltackle
Super Board Poster
Posts: 900
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:11 am
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: Help Deciphering Big Game Rod Inscription

Post by reeltackle »

There was a William Southam who built rods in Sydney Australia but the rods I have seen are all marked - Wm. Southam Sydney - They are in script similar to your rod.
Ed Pritchard
http://www.AntiqueFishingReels.com
ORCA Charter Member "First Paid Member"
Honorary Life Member

"Reels As Big As Your Head" Always looking for BIG game reels and anything else that might go along.
Post Reply