William Mills & Son - Standard 8' 3/2 Bamboo Rod

For sale here is an 8' 3-piece / 2-tip "Mill's Standard" bamboo rod in very good used condition. The Mills Standard rods were made by Leonard and were essentially lower grade rods built on similar tapers. This one features small right-hand twist guides and red agate stripping guide, all wrapped in yellow gold windings with intermediates throughout. All sections are straight & full length, and the 15/64 & 10/64 ferrules fit perfectly, and both females are fitted with the original NS top hat ferrule plugs. Swelled butt with gold & red accent wraps and 5" cork grip (smooth & lightly soiled). Pocketed cap & ring reel seat over simple wood spacer. The butt cap is stamped "Standard - Mills & Son Makers NY". All the wraps look original, although the rod has been overcoated at least once. At 8' and 4oz, this would be a Model 208 by my old W. Mills catalogs. Medium, full flexing action, best with a DT5. William Mills produced these rods when they had a controlling stake in the Leonard Rod company and advertised "If you do not wish to go to the expense of an H.L. Leonard Rod, buy a Standard, for you can get no better". It's likely the Standard rods were produced in far lower numbers than true Leonards, and they are somewhat scarce on the secondary market. Sold in what appears to be the original bag and tube.