Scored for a fair price on a good snipe (which I didn't think about until I received the win notification).
Original tube, and a linen sock 4" too short, which Tom verified was the original norm.
Per J&J, this rod originated in 1964, though no specifics given on the L version.
They did state that Royals were picked out of the bulk of blanks for extra light and extra crisp.
The rod has a full compliment of foulproof guides, tip-top and stripper are gold, the the foulproof guides bright stainless, nice wraps, and excellent nickel-silver ferrule.
The ferrules and rod butt are tiny, and the rod is lighter than its marked 3-1/8 oz - it balances a loaded Strada MZ 34, which I had matched up with the FF66 I gave to Josh, and also use with a 7' (Phillipson) Fullflex.
Deep flexing for a Phillipson with slow pleasant load. It will get some use, and I expect it to shine with a 100-gr Teeny.
Note the butt is thinner than the 7' Phillipson Orvis Fullflex, and they're rated the same weight.
It has my favorite hammer handle, and balances just right with a few other nice reels, including Hardy Prince 5/6, and Millward Flycraft Junior
I have lines queued up to try, as always, but yesterday was too hot, humid, oak pollen saturated, and creepy with a Munsters plague of oak caterpillars.
Maybe I'll get out later this morning, without all that going against the day, and add a few casting notes.