Date of this HL Leonard stamp?

[Mike N]

Can anyone tell me the approximate dates HL Leonard used this stamp? (This is from the reel seat on a rod, but I think I’ve seen it on reels, too.)




Thanks,

Mike N

[wrong99]

Mike,
Try submitting that to the bamboo forum and you'll get a half dozen different answers by a half dozen guys who are well-known for their extensive research. It's why a book on Leonard rods has never been written. Nobody really knows for certain when many of his rods were made and sold, or even what constitutes a certain model. Same with these roll stamps. Try it on the other board and you'll see what I mean. Good luck.
Mark

[Mike N]

Thanks, Mark. I do have a post up on the Classic Fly Rod Forum and am told that roll stamp was used by HLL company from 1927 to 1964.

I did find this in Jeff Hatton’s definitive “Rod Crafting” book published in 2005 which confirms the 1927 start date. However, it does not show the “Registered U.S. Patent Office” language so I sent a message to Jeff and will note any response.

[Mike N]

This link to an earlier Classic Fly Rod Forum discussion had the drawing below, credited to the work of Tom Maxwell, which suggests a slightly earlier start date of 1922-1923 for the use of the stamp we are discussing:

http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/vie ... 40#p820420

[Mike N]

Taking this research a step further, it seems a “Leonard-Mills” stamped fly reel (circa. 1928) would fit best with this post-1927 rod.

Here is a link to Ron Gast’s excellent photo discussion of Leonard reels: https://luresnreels.com/leonard.html