Cedar (sic, Birch) fly rod tubes that were painted

[Mike N]

I recently acquired these two old birch* fly rod tubes for 1882 Orvis bamboo fly rods.

Can I get some suggestions on removing the paint someone slapped on these? What chemical removal process would be safe on the old wood plus remove the paint from the metal parts?

Also, what do you suggest I do to replace the two missing top caps? One is screw in and the other appears to be hinged.

Thanks for any suggestions.

*I originally thought the tubes were made of cedar, but on closer examination and heeding the advice of Royce S. on the Classic bamboo website, I now think they are constructed of birch, a wood I have worked with before while making small tables.

Mike N.

[john elder]

Mike, I think the tubes came painted like that. Will see if I have pics of one I used to own.

[Mike N]

John, these photos are from Lang’s Spring 2010 auction. Painted? I can’t tell. Also, is the top cap hinged or screw in?

Thanks

Mike N

[john elder]

top is hinged and hooked with a hook...we can probably fab that. Here is mine...it's a bit darker than I recalled, but not so dissimilar to yours

[Mike N]

Well, John, the early voting on the Classic Fly Rod Forum agrees with you....

http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/vie ... 4&t=129129

[Mike N]

This “hinged cap” Orvis rod tube was offered by Morphy Auctions:

[Midway Tommy D]

This “hinged cap” Orvis rod tube was offered by Morphy Auctions:

I would say, after enlarging JE's example, that the Morphy Auction hook was a fisherman's jury rig. While it's a hook it sure isn't the type, which most likely would have been standard production on a quality rod tube, as the one on John's cap.

[Mike N]

Updated research:
According to Orvis Catalog No. 22, circa. 1900, the rods came in a wooden tube painted/stained “the color of russet leather.” Russet is a dark brown color with a reddish-orange tinge.

[bamboocollector11]

As far as the hook goes for the hinged cap, Morphy's was correct. Below is a pic of my tube