Milward's FLOATMASTER 10'6" 3 piece. Original Untouched Condition

Milward's 'FLOATMASTER' 1950's. 10'6'' 3 piece split cane. EXCELLENT, appears very lightly used. Completely untouched faultless original condition in maker's original bag.

Introduced in 1946, the Floatmaster was the 'top of the range' offering and was based on the 1938/9 model 2642, itself the most expensive coarse rod in the catalogue. Described by the maker as being '...designed for dealing with the bigger fish' , it's made using tempered ''Hexacane'' which was unique to the innovative Milwards and involved the cane, after tempering, being laminated with urea-formaldehyde cement to achieve particularly high bonding strength. Then the completed blank was finished in 'Masterseal' which according to the maker, '...enhances the rod's appearance but much more importantly gives it the most remarkable protection' . It also looked good and Milward didn't go in for fancy intermediate whippings preferring the natural beauty of their cane to stand out. Their quote on intermediates, 'You will find no close whippings on Milwards rods for we have nothing to cover up',may seem glib but it points to the integrity of the company. Another innovation deployed on all top of range 'Hexacane' patterns was the 'Gripmaster' knurled ferrule; present here, a simple but effective aid to assembling a rod. An odd but distinguishing quirk of this maker was to fit contrasting coloured agate lined butt (white) & tip (red) rings leading the uninformed to later think one or other were replacements. In any event, real agate lined butt and tip rings are further evidence of quality as is the unique feature butt cap of integral red rubber and knurled edge and engraved duralumin. Sliding reel bands also duralumin and stand off intermediate rings whipped in crimson silk complete a lovely understated look. The butt section is unusual as it features a swelled butt (unheard of on coarse rods of the period). This fine original example is in EXCELLENT order and shows little signs of use. Presented in maker's original zipped and press studded bag with embroidered branded label, all in very good condition. It would be easy to pay more and receive less. Given the quality and condition, outstanding value £295.

Pictured with the rod is an Homer's 'FLICK 'EM' 4 1/8'' (1910-c.1925) EXCELLENT together with 2x Colin Whitehouse AVONS - World Class Maker, Mint, Unused and 1x Colin Whitehouse SWAN and GOOSE QUILLS. Peerless Maker, MINT, UNUSED

In a nutshell, Milward rods are underrated and consequently undervalued. It is very difficult to understand why; from the outset the company byword was quality and, established in 1730 at Washford Mill Redditch, began producing a wide range of high quality needles both domestic, commercial and surgical. Their fame quickly grew and by 1800 they were one of the biggest makers of needles in the World. In the early 1800's they began making hooks and being well received, in 1891 they moved into producing a wider tackle range.

Colonel H.G.V. Milward who, by the 1930's, had become managing director, was himself a dedicated angler and his enthusiasm for producing high quality tackle, particularly rods, was the driver for a period either side of the war of valuable research & development. This led to many excellent rod patterns and useful innovations and ultimately to the revolutionary 'Versa' rod designs of Swim Fly Spin and the legendary Craftversa. At first glance it may seem somewhat surprising that his passion was rods as his core business involved metal so reels would have seemed a logical step but he began making rods largely for his own fly fishing requirements and relied on Reuben Heaton and his Redditch neighbour J. W. Young to supply reels. Having an established and lucrative needle business meant that Colonel Milward could afford to indulge his tackle making with ample funds available for development, particularly rods.

The tackle company didn't survive past the Colonel's death in 1965 and it's perhaps fitting that following his foreword to the final catalogue in 1964 the first chapter is titled 'Choosing a Fly Rod' which details all the latest improvements and innovations. The timing of his death explains why the famed CRAFTVERSA was produced in such low numbers – it was only introduced for the start of the '64 coarse season and by 1965 all production had ceased. Either side of the war he focused on attention to detail to produce high quality tackle incorporating useful innovations all at affordable prices. One look at a Milward rod bag exemplifies this – much better thought out than the elitist (and more expensive) Hardy, it features a clever zip fastening and press studs along the length to finish off neatly with an attractive branded embroidered label. They were a class act with Bernard Venables writing articles in their catalogues and casting champion Terry Thomas in attendance at their own factory side casting pool to assist customers. It is doubtful whether the tackle arm was profit making but what is certain is the Colonel put considerable time, effort and money into producing a high quality and often innovative tackle at a value for money price.