Here is some information that comes from various sources.
J.J.S. Walker Bampton & Co. were a reputable British company based in Alnwick, Northumberland.
The company employed ex Hardy employees. Walker Bampton set up a rod and reel building operation in the early 1930s until around 1968.
There were quite a few such firms around in the inter-war years, allegedly due to the unscrupulous hiring and firing practices of Hardy Brothers - apprentices being employed until the age of 21 when they would be entitled to a man's wage, at which point they were unceremoniously fired.
The Walker Bampton rods shared many of the characteristics of the Hardy rods. The ferrules were based on the patented Hardy lockfast ferrule.
A Walker Bampton nine ft. rod in the 30's cost from thirty pounds upwards. Wages were then three pounds per week so they were luxury goods.
Walker Bampton supplied rods to Farlows of Pall Mall. Eventually Walker Bampton were bought out by Farlows. Farlows have now amalgamated with Hardy.
William Henry Dingley (Walter), born West Broomwich 1-6-1858. Apprenticed Reuban Heaton Co. of Birmingham at age of fourteen. Heatons was then largest mfg. of reels in the U.K. Stayed with Heatons for fourteen years. Worked with David Slater Reels, Newark-upon-Trent for five years. 1891 moved to Alnwick with Hardy but left over a patent dispute in 1911 involving the braking system on the Silex reel. Went to become the head of the reel making dept. of J.J.S. Walker Bampton where he was responsible for the Climax spinning reel. Started his own fly reel company about 1919 and recruited ex-Hardy men. Made reels for the trade and several companies but you can usually find the "D" stamp inside those reels. Died 1-27-1946 at age 88. Oldest son Ernest ran his company until March 1954 when the company closed on his death.
What can you add to this? Do you have any further information or photographs?
Update: I have 4 JJS Walker Bampton cane rods. See "The Lennox" #6784, my first 9'6" rod #17372, a superb 10' fly rod #10228 and a large unused 13' salmon rod #31924 which I need to still photograph.
i have just found a lovely j.j.s walker fly fishing rod that was left to me by my grandad with a locking system on the joints and am thinking of selling it
ReplyDeleteThey are good rods. As good as any Hardy rod from that period. The all copied each other anyway.
ReplyDeletePut it up on eBay. If the price is right, perhaps I'll buy it. I have about four Walker Bampton rods now.
I recently acquired a beautiful Walker Bampton two handed rod. It is approximately 13 1/2 feet, 3 peice, with two tips. Unfortunately, it seems that the previous owner may have stored it in a manner such that the first running guide on the butt section has been squished and is on the verge of breaking. Also, the running guides on the mid section section have been twisted slightly downwards toward the butt section. The pieces of hardware on the mid section look like they can be retrieved, or fixed.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have been looking around for a rod maker who can help me refurbish this rod. I leave in northern California, USA. The local folks I have been able to find aren't very helpful and seemingly, unreliable. I was wondering if you had somebody you could point me to who could either help me fix the rod, or help me find the hardware that I could pass along to one of the local guys to fix it.
Thanks,
- PJ
pransriv@yahoo.com
Try these links, perhaps one of these guys can help:
ReplyDeletehttp://hollowbuilt.com/ (Dunsmuir, CA)
http://reamsbamboorods.com/ (Fall River Mills, CA)
Thanks a lot for the links. Hope you are enjoying casting the Walker Bamptons you have.
ReplyDelete- PJ
You're right--information on some of these smaller firms is hard to come by. Thanks for your efforts and insights.
ReplyDelete-dkp
i have a jjswalker brampton the master reel paten no 29107-13 ivory handles made of some metal pewter maybe can enyone give me more info as to age and possible value.
ReplyDeleteHi - Your reel probably dates back to the 1920's. It is a centre pin spinning reel and has a casting trigger and a quick drum release.
ReplyDeleteDue to the complex mechanisms, these reels have a higher value than a standard centre pin reel.
A 3 3/4" reel recently sold on eBay for £103.
thanks doug will i be better to clean it or leave it as it is if clean what would i use
ReplyDeleteDirty reels with a bit of old line may attract a certain type of eBayer who thinks he may get a good deal on an old item that others may think is old junk. Some collectors like them like this anyway.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like to clean them up a bit and even use them. On this blog I have a post where I take one of these apart and clean it up and give it some grease.
I have a small J.J.S. Walker Bampton & Co's booklet showing all the rods and reels produced showing prices etc.
ReplyDeleteEstablished 35 years. J.J.S Walker, Bampton & Co. High Class Fishing Rods, Reels and Tackle. Northern Rod and Reel Works Alnwick, England.
The booklet is undated, however it refers to C.S Bampton and the Late J.J.S Walker, late of Hardy Bros. Ltd.
There are a few thank -you letters printed within the booklet the latest date being Feb 1935. So it's possibly c 1936.
John James Selby Walker died in Sept 1930 so the company could have started as early as 1900. The 1891 census Return gives his occupation as Fishing Rod Maker. He is age 15 on the 1881 Census and his occupation is Cabinet Makers apprentice.
I hope this is of some help.
Yes this is correct. John James Selby Walker was my Gt Gt Grandfather. Born in North Sunderland, Northumberland 1865. His only son was called Lennox hence the 'Lennox' reel.
DeleteThanks for that. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeletei just acquired a JJS Walker & Bampton 9ft fly rod in mint condition in its original bad and wooden bamboo holder for the two tips.the rod number is 6380 if this helps.
Does anyone know the value and age of this rod?
thanks so much this is a great site
albert
You can buy these from £30 up to £200. There is one on eBay right now for £135 but with no bids.
ReplyDeleteI have a few of them and I've paid about £80 on average.
Hi Doug, Just found your site I have a old Greenheart rod which I bought from a shop in Lancaster around 40 years ago . I was told at the time that it was manufactured by Walker Bampton , but as the firm was closing down these rods were to be sold to dealers without any name stamped on them.did Walker Bampton ever make greenheart rods? The rod is 8ft 6ins two piece very light weight,No markings of any sort. Reel fitings just an alloy bridge and one sliding ring. the rod is in perfect condition as I have only used it 4 or 5 times,Any information you could give me would be very welcome Cliff Email address cliff.brindle@talktalk.net
DeleteHi
ReplyDeletehow old are the fly rod 1087 10ft.If you, could tell me this info would be very gratefull ray.
Have a pristine, apparently never or little used, Brampton #32789, in the original canvas bag. Any idea of when made and value?
ReplyDeletereopato@comcast.net
hi i have just acquired a jjs walker, bampton 9 foot fly rod 8149 and i am wondering if any body knows what its worth with fly reel pat no 855677 in excellent condition and also were is the best place to sell them thankyou
ReplyDeleteHello, I have a very nice 6"3 JJS Walker Bampton rod, in excellent condition except for a soiled grip, with the original canvas bag.Bought from a dealer at the Paris flea market. I fished it on my favorite small stream and it's a very pleasant rod with a 4wt line. The wraps are golden yellow, with many intermediate wraps every 2/3 inch or so, agathe stripping and tip guides. Rod no 9952 engraved on silver butt cap. If anybody knows how to date these rods.
ReplyDeletehi i've just bought a split cane 3 piece rod from car booty serial number 10880 plus brass fly reel with braided line am just wondering if any one knows the value and age of this rod and reel , thank you very much .
ReplyDeleteI pulled the Alnwick 1901 census and it shows Ernest as being the third son, not the oldest son.
ReplyDeleteJust acquired a JJS Walker, 9ft 6ins split cane Fly rod No 22922, slight damage on cork handle, \anyone know what it is worth?
DeleteHi everyone,
DeleteInteresting information, I also own a two piece JJS Walker Bampton rod 8 foot long line weight #5/6 looks just like a Hardy CC De france. It has quite a springy action I brought it from Ebay cost me £27.00 and £12.00 postage.
Unfortunately it's in need of some TLC so I'm doing a restoration, I've cleaned it up removed all the whippings and corroded traditional low bell rod rings planning to replace them with - Hopkins and Holloway Seymo 616 HC Traditional rod rings.
The brass female ferrule is cracked so I'll use my sherline lathe and make a replacement part
The Agate tip and stripper guides are in good condition. The cane on the tip section near the male ferrule was partially de - laminated and has now been glued together, overall the cane is in good condition and has a lovely caramel color. I'm just wondering what colors to have the main whippings and intermediates, I have considered light olive what do you guys think? regards Trefor
Oh my bad manners the serial number is 21029 I wonder how old it might be ???? any feedback would be gratefully appreciated.
DeleteRegards Trefor
I've seen JJS Walker Bampton rods sell from £20 to £100 on Ebay in the last few months. I have a saved search that sends me emails although I haven't bought one for a few years. The longer salmon rods don't sell that well and can be bought cheaply, but they are heavy.
ReplyDeleteThe best rods are the 8' to 10' rods that have all the fittings and whippings and are straight. The rods looking like the Hardy rods and especially the CC De France, with its Cigar shaped handle, sell the best and are probably worth around £100 if in good condition.
Hi Doug thanks very much for the information, I would say my rods quite straight It also has a nice pink - red colored button on the end of the but, I have decided to go burgundy with the whippings. It's getting there bit by bit just taking my time with the restoration.
DeleteRegards Trefor
I hope the website is still running?
ReplyDeleteI was given a Reel, branded 'The Lennox' - From what I can see and the research I have done its in good nick. Is there any chance you can give me an idea of whats what? Maybe a value on it?
Hi. on my 50th birtday I got J.J.S.Walker.Bramton&C fly rod with the number 3 1303 Makers Alnwik. The rod has two front ends and has been used twice by my father in law baught first hand. The rod is 3.36m or 11 feets and is in perfect condition and is in a tan canavas bag with light green and brown laces and seems. Has any one info on this Fly rod?? Krg Iceland
ReplyDelete