Leonard, H.L. – 9'6" 12-Strip Cedar Spacer, 1800s

For your consideration is an H.L. Leonard bamboo fly rod from the 1800s with a mortised swelled butt and 12-strip cedar-inlaid spacer. This is a 9' 6" three-piece for a 5/6-weight line weighing 5.0 ounces. All sections are full-length and straight.

This rod is completed with red and green intermediates throughout and has a mortised swelled butt. The rattan grip measures 4 7/8" in length and is well preserved with no issues. Nickel silver sliding ring and butt cap over a rarely seen 12-strip cedar-inlaid spacer. The butt cap is stamped "H.L. Leonard / Maker / Mills & Son / N'York / Sole Agents" dating this to 1879-1886 or the early 1890s. The ferrule on the butt section is stamped "Pat. Sep. 3. 1878 / Pat. Oct. 26. 1875." In my hand, the action is medium-slow. Includes the original fabric slotted, metal capped section holder.