I purchased this bamboo rod in the mid 1980s when I was interested in fishing with bamboo rods. I have not seen another quite like it. I still fly fish, but have gotten away from the antique rods. The rod in the pictures is a 2 piece 8' 3/4” rod with two tips in excellent condition. The rod is in the condition that I bought it, and I do not know if it is in original condition, although it appears to be. I bought it from a lady in Rhode Island who was selling some of the effects of her late husband on consignment at the Fin and Feather Lodge in North Kingston. I bought two bamboo rods together, both supposed to be Leonard rods, but only this one is clearly a Leonard. Each of three pieces is 48 ¾” long. The tip guide is agate and nickel in the old style. The stripping guide is agate with knurled nickel base, the rest of the guides are horn shaped. The reel holder parts are made from brazed together worked and knurled stock, and a flower engraving is hand etched on each of the two parts. The rod sockets are brazed with the machined lip on the female end. The butt plate reads :

                                   H. L. Leonard

                                         Maker

                                   W. Mills & Son

                                       N' York

                                     Sole Agent

This places the rod age as after 1878 but before 1907 when Hiram Leonard died. The rod came in a greenish brown cloth and has BC5 L in black ink in a few places (could that indicate bait casting rod?). It has some of the characteristics of a salmon rod or a salt water rod. The rod is for sale when I can get a definitive appraisal of its value.