A nice Tom Maxwell bamboo fly rod, 7'6", 3-piece, 1-tip (made that way) and built for a #5 line. Fast DF action with fine tips. The rod is in mint condition with the paper and gum strips still on the grip. Lettered on the paper is "7'6" #5 Classic Taper" in Maxwell's hand and "The Classic" is also inked on the wrap flat and "735-TLM" on the reverse. Medium wheatstraw temper to the cane. The main wraps are a dark garnet with gold edges and a band of dark red at the keeper. The full intermediates are gold. Agate stripper with bronze snake guides. The Maxwell-Marinaro ferrules are oxidized. The rod has a distinct swell a bit larger than the typical Leonard but smaller than a T&T. The grip is 5 1/2" long and styled to a full wells profile. The reel seat is a hand flatted and perfectly varnished tiger maple. The single foot impression is from the seat having been lined up to the guides during assembly. The nickel silver cap and ring are oxidized. The rod comes with finial style cork and aluminum ferrule plugs. The single tip has two dots by the ferrule as if it were intended for two tips. As the rod is unused and the bag has compartments for only one tip I think the rod came from Tom with only one tip. The bag and the tube appear to be what could put together with what was at hand. The 2" tube has a sleeve over brass cap (reasonably tight, it won't fall off) that has been hand soldered. The rod dates to later in Tom's career as a rod maker and is an incredibly rare find in this condition.