An FE Thomas Special bamboo fly rod, 8', 3-piece, 2-tip, and built for a #4 or #5.  The rod weighs 3.5 ounces on my scale. Medium slow action. Fair condition, all full length but some wrap fraying at the mid male and there is a clear wrap below the tip top on one tip. There are also some signs of polish residue and some overcoating of guide wraps. This is a fairly early rod with no # on the butt cap and a rolled and soldered ring. Chinese red main wraps with black edges and the 3, 6, 3, 1 signature wraps in black and red. The stripper is agate and the snakes are reverse twist. There is not much wear to the reverse snake guides. The step ferrules still fit well. The rod could use a tiny straighten. The grip is on the short side, 4 1/2" in length, and could best be described as a bulbous cigar. Typical FE Thomas check with a keeper ring pinned through. 3 1/2" long all cork seat. The cap has a soldered pocket cap and is stamped "F.E. Thomas – Special, Bangor, ME" in cartouche with a four ring target on the back. The rod packs into a canvas bag with a tip tube (no bag) w/ felt holes in the bottom, and an F.E. Thomas original tube with the shield, but most likely not original with this rod.