EF Payne Model 98 Bamboo Fly Rod 7' 2/2 #3/4

A nice EF Payne model 98 bamboo fly rod, 7', 2-piece, 2-tip, and built for a #3 or #4 line. Fast #3 or a medium #4 action. The rod is full length but has been refinished. Nice varnish but the refinisher lettered a fictional serial number on the butt and tips. The rod also has a non-original stripper. Brown wraps with yellow edges. Black snake guides. The ferrules have been oxidized but the coating has been subject to some scuffing and circular scratch marks. The grip is turned to a medium cigar and is 5 1/2" long and shows some ridging, possibly from an earlier cleaning. The slide band seat is walnut with a wood lip to the cork. The cap and ring retains only about 3% of the original oxidation. The cap has the modern Payne stamp ("Payne" in a cartouche) and "Reg US Pat Off" on the reverse as well as "Sold by, Abercrombie and Fitch Co, NY". The rod comes with the original bag however the detached hang tag has been taped to the tube and the tube hardware appears to be brass plating, mostly worn off. There is white felt in the insert in the tube top.