Acquired recently, used yesterday for first time. Managed a couple of trout. Rod was robust and certainly different from other glass rods. Any info gratefully accepted. I was under the impression this was an inexpensive American Rod perhaps 1960’s? The legend on the rod says Marbou or Maubou ? Another distinction is despite being an 8’6” it only has one guide on the bottom section and this is situated near the ferrule ( which is chrome metal) . There seemed no clear evidence or sign on the section that a first rod guide has been removed?
After using it I think it would be best to fit one! TIA

I had similar thought. Harnell used a fish symbol though right?lll

Harrington had to sell a lot of blanks to keep going after he and his partner split and sold Harnell to H-I/Gladding.
We already know he exported blanks to Finland.
The red wraps are characteristic Harnell - can't see the ferrule very well, but that looks Harnell.
Varmac reel seats also came from the postwar partnership, and looks like you have a nice one there.
I believe that's a Harnell 655R blank in great condition. I also think Trev has one to tell you about how it casts and fishes.
Mine are 8' and 7'6", but all Harnell rods have a characteristic para taper.

Yes, it really looks like a Harnell/Harrington from 60s.

Mine is the 9' 650R and I still haven't fished it, it lawn casts wonderful and though it isn't as line fussy as some rods, I think I'll like it best with a 9wt line. Still in moderately high water here, and I forgot to buy the vet tape to level up the grip with.
I do think the rod in above is a Harrington blank, they all have a peculiar black sheen that other black rods don't have, and the red thread seems a distinct shade as well, I've wondered if he supplied the components with the blanks in kit form because a lot of the custom rods on his blanks do have that red thread.

Oh well that’s one against 3 or 4 for..... let me know if you have any further observations then majicwrench. Of course it is what it is and like majicwrench I have no experience here in relation to these Harnell rods. I can say it seems distinctive and different to my other glass rods , particularly the overall feel and finish / patina . It has also stood up very well to the rigour of obvious use and time, beyond that I am open minded but more persuaded that it is a Harnell blank.

Harnell blanks aren't painted black - I believe he used carbon black in the resin formulation to stiffen it.
Even my bronze-painted, H-I-made Harnell 1652 has a black-resin blank beneath the paint.
Probably noteworthy that other contributors on this thread have put in some time looking at Harnell/Harrington blanks and finished rods.

There's nothing new under the sun. This would work much like Hardy Sintrix, which came out decades later. Harrington was there first!


Tom

Got that 650R wet yesterday; it launches a #9 Rocket nicely and bends almost to the grip with a 1 1/2# small mouth. I lawn cast it enough with a WF5 to believe it'd be a fair light line nymph rod. Six months of high water and too many rainy days has left me out of shape with bad timing, so the outing was more of an exercise and practice session in heavily pressured water than a true fishing day.
The gloss black on my Harnell is not paint, that's why I said it is different looking than other black rods I've seen, the finish is unlike any fiberglass rod I have owned. If the rod in question is in paint, I'd guess that would show it not to be a Harrington/Harnell.
Ron mentioned Harrington exported blanks to Finland and Charles Ritz mentioned Harnells being sold in Europe in the '60s, so one cropping up on that side of the ocean is likely, I reckon. And I'd bet there's no telling nor any records of how many Gladding ran off or where they sold them.

thanks for your report Trev