Vintage 1950's Abercrombie & Fitch Passport Fly Fishing Rod With Original Case

Description

Vintage 1950's Abercrombie & Fitch 10-piece Passport Fly Fishing Rod With Original Case. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
This Abercrombie & Fitch Passport pack rod, sold as the "World's Smallest Pack rod" dates from the 1950's. It's my understanding that there were less than 100 of these A&F Passport's made. This isn't a toy rod by any means, but a serious travel pack rod intended for spin or fly reels & gear, and it is impressively, if not amazingly, functional. The whole outfit, case included, weighs only 7.5 ounces and is truly about the size of a passport. It easily fits into a shirt or coat pocket... or the glove compartment, so you're always prepared for coming upon that unexpected stream or pond, at a moment's notice. Indispensable for back-packing & camping trips. Made by Phillipson Rod Company, the A&F Passport was built as the top-of-the-line Phillipson rod of this time period... classic spiral guides and spiral accent wraps make this rod a very handsome looker. A&F went one step further with the Passport, there are aluminum ferrule rings on the female ferrules for reinforcement. The reel seat, slide rings, butt cap, cork check, and ferrule rings are all anodized aluminum, having a wonderful deep burgundy finish. The ferrule on the first section added to the grip is Phillipson nickel silver ... all others join as "sleeve over" fiberglass ferrules. These 10-piece fly/spin rods are handmade with exceptional detail to taper, ferrule construction and beautiful guides & wraps, then expertly finished in a special blend marine spar varnish. They are built from tubular fiberglass, providing the sensitive ultra-light action of a one-piece rod when assembled. The length of each section is 6" ... the assembled rod becomes a nice solidly straight 4' 8"L, (56") handling a 4 or 5 weight fly line, and precisely casts flies or 1/8 to 1/4 oz. lures. The rod in case weighs 7.5 oz.
Everything about this particular rod offered here is in excellent condition and doesn't appear to have been fished. All ten sections: the cork grip, ferrules, guides & wraps are in perfect original condition. The ferrules slip together perfectly with a nice snug fit. The cork handle grip and the reel seat & rings are also in pristine condition ... the hook keeper ring is perfect. The 'Passport' logo, as well as the 'Abercrombie & Fitch' decal label on the first & second sections are flawless. The original leather covered case box, measuring 6.5" X 3.5" X 1", is in okay vintage condition -- the original leather covering of the case has collected some scuffs, dents & wear over the years. The snap open hinged case lid works just fine. The top lid is marked with an "A&F" logo and "Passport Rod" in gold, but the "F" is missing where the leather flaked off. If you have fish on your mind most of the time, you just may have to be good to yourself or a fisherman you may know. Opportunities to own one of these unique rods are somewhat rare and this is a really nice one. It will make a handsome & unusual addition to any serious rod collection or THE perfect gift for the back-packer/camper & fly-fisher.