HL Leonard Hunt Model 50 Tournament Fly Rod 8' 3/2 #5 - Original Hunt Model!

A very rare HL Leonard "RW Hunt" model 50-5 bamboo fly rod, 8', 3-piece, 2-tip, and built for a #5 line. Medium fast action. This is the early Hunt model that Leonard did for Richard Hunt, a noted angler of the day. Very good condition, though I suspect it has been refinished for reasons I'll note in a minute. The rod sections have been stained with a wipe-on stain, leaving the coloring a little lighter on the corner and darker in the center. The ferrules are oxidized black as is the uplocking screwlock reel seat. The reason I suspect a refinish is that the main wraps are yellow and fairly blotchy and the oxidized finish on the ferrules is also a tad blotchy too (remember the Payne shop was just a few miles down the road from the Leonard shop in those days and Leonard would have had access to their oxidation formula). The rod shaft varnish is very light and looks more like a very thin dip rather than a brush finish. Lastly, the tip tops are straight tube rather than a taper tube and have no stamp - late model tip tops from the 1970's. The grip is 5 1/2" long and shaped to a western profile, and has some mild ridging from cleaning. The reel seat spacer looks to be stained butternut. The black anodized screwlock is stamped "The Leonard rod / HL Leonard Rod Co" in a cartouche and "Reg US Pat Off" on the reverse "Tournament". The rod packs into a grey cloth bag with a hangtag and the original aluminum tube with the large brass collar and top. Though refinished, this is a nice opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare early Leonard model.