Hardy Fishing Rod I’d Help

I came across an old Hardy fishing rod which has splits in the bamboo but thought it interesting enough for £3. Don’t know how or where to date it I have photos of the marks on the rod if someone could help me or point me to a site that I could I’d it.

 

This page has a rod with a serial number of 59858 and they put the date at 1902. Assuming yours may be earlier than that since the s/n is 28446 (not 100% on that 8...could be a 3 or a 5.

Here's another good page for Hardy history.

The marking on the butt cap is really cool and old looking. Nice find

 

Since they're still in business, you could reach out to them here->

 

Hi thanks for the replies serial number is 25446 I think that’s why I’m having trouble finding that number all seem to have letters before a number.

 

According to this, the date of manufacture is 1894.

 

Thank you very much appreciated greatly all the best.