Models

I've arranged the following descriptions as they are arranged in the Sinclair book. The fly rod models are divided into Early Era, Middle Era, and Late Era rods. Most of the descriptions are out of Sinclair unless I've had supplemental information. In addition there were several important options that were available on most rods and they have been listed separately at the bottom of the table. This is just a sampling.  New models and combinations are showing up all the time.
New ParagraphEarly Early Era Rods (Pre 1900)Era Rods (Pre 1900)
Various
Divine made many different rods in the early years. In fact, the impression I have is that almost every rod was a unique creation. Mostly Bass and Trout rods from Greenheart, Lancewood and Bethabara. They have wood or nickel silver reelseats and grips of wood, cane, and cork. I'm not familiar with any Divine catalogs from this era, but there are price lists around that shed some light. Early on the split Calcutta cane rods were of 6 strip construction, but sometime in the 1890's 8 strips appeared. New Paragraph
Spiral
Probably Divine's most famous creation. Fred patented the Spiral rod in 1892. It's a simple concept really, at glue up time for a split bamboo rod, the rod is twisted very slightly and the glue is allowed to set. This is not a radical twisting, but only 1 and 1/2 complete turns over the length of the rod. Building this tension into the rod makes it more resistant to flexing, thus stiffer or faster without increasing its mass. A Spiral rod is 10%-20% stiffer than its untwisted counterparts. Divine's spirals are marked with the patent number on each section just above the ferrules, and have an open spiral signature wrap on the butt.New Paragraph
Middle Era Rods (1900-1919)
Divine Special
The Divine Special, introduced in 1902, was Divine's first attempt at a dry fly style rod. Easily recognized by its full wells grip, metal winding check, and distinctive signature wraps (Group of 10 narrow wraps followed by a group of 5, followed by a group of 3). 
Fairy
This rod, Divine's finest accomplishment in rod design, was introduced in 1917. Both 7.5' and 8' models have been found of this lightweight (2.5 oz. for the 7.5') dry fly beauty. Besides their size, Fairies also have a cork reelseat that makes them easy to recognize. They usually had untipped red wraps with red intermediate wraps. The Fairy's fine action makes it a delight to cast. This combined with its low production volume makes is a great prize for collectors.
Special Dry Fly
This rod, as the name suggests, was built specifically as a dry fly rod. Its faster action suits it ideally to the task. The large wood knob below the reelseat makes this one of the most easily distinguished models. All red wraps and intermediates, oxidized hardware, and a cigar grip which ends with a nickel-silver winding check make this a distinctive rod. One of the rarer Divines.
Standard Trout
This is the most commonly seen Divine. These attractive rods come in a variety of lengths, weights, and wrap colors. They usually have a cigar shaped grip without a winding check. Instead the silk is wrapped up onto the grip. This rod was available in cane and lancewood and appears in an amazing variety of guides, reelseats, and cases. 
Late Era Rods (1920 on)
Celdimac
This high-end model appeared late in Divine's history. Recognizable by its dark brown cane, half wells grip Blued reelseat and ferrules. Black and White jasper wraps tipped gold, with a few gold intermediates between the tip top and the top guide. I've also seen two older Celdimacs that follow the Rainbow's most common wrap pattern. 'Celdimac' is usually written on the shaft just below the decal on this model.
Divine Special
The Divine Special in its later forms (late 1920's) retained the full wells grip and nickel silver winding check, but the wraps were standardize to a red tipped gold or red tipped black. On the very late specials the intermediates were dispensed with.
Echo
Late era middle grade rod. I've never had the chance to seen one.
Fairy
The fairy lived on unchanged in the late era.
Fly-Wate
I've never seen one of these rare 2-piece Divines. According to the only catalog description I've seen, it was available in 7.5 and 8' sizes and was wound at the ferrules and guides only with invisible silk...very modern!
Gloriwest (and Goldenwest)
Divine's highest grade rod in the earlier part of the Late era, and one of most classic looking fly rods ever produced. Besides its name inked below the decal, the Gloriwest can be identified by several features. This dark cane rod is beautifully wrapped green with lots of yellow intermediates...probably more than any other rod ever made! The black celluloid winding check guards a reverse half wells grip. The rod is also fitted with a black celluloid twist lock down locking reelseat. This is a heavy duty, rugged rod and was Divine's flagship model.
Pathfinder
Thought to be the lowest grade rod in Divine's last years, the Pathfinder featured a medium action, bright nickel-silver sliding band reelseat and cigar grip. The light colored cane was wrapped green tipped red with red intermediates above the highest tip guide and the tip-top. They also have a distinctive decal with the rod model name on it and no serial number.
Peacemaker
Late era middle grade rod. I've never had the chance to seen one.
Rainbow
Behind the standard trout model, you'll find the Rainbow most plentiful. It actually arrived on the scene around 1917, but was most plentiful in the 1920's. its standard dress is a carmel colored cane wrapped in black and white jasper tipped red with black and white jasper intermediates. However, as its name suggests in came in a huge variety of colors, so it's a good thing that 'Rainbow' is usually scripted below the decal. The reelseats seem to vary in style, but all are blackened as are the ferrules. I've seen petit 8' 4 wts. and heavy 10' 7 wts. of this model. Collect them all!
Raven
The Raven fits the description of the Rainbow... except it is painted black and has red wraps and intermediates... very dramatic.  And very rare!

Standard Trout
The Standard appears to have made it at least to the mid 1920's. Its configurations are at least as numerous as those of the Rainbow. Their description is unchanged from the earlier era.
Tournament
A rare treat for collectors is the Divine Tournament rod. These special purpose rods were built to be as powerful as possible within a given weight and length for casting competitions. Therefore they are very minimalist in style. The two examples I've seen omit intermediates, and use a special lightweight reelseat (See the reelseats in Identifying a Divine). They are usually blond bamboo with all red wraps and are marked 'The Divine Rod Tournament" in ink on the shaft.
Travelling Man's Friend
A suitcase or valise rod of 9 17" joints, a reversible handle, and a reducing ferrule that could be combined to produce 6 different rods for both fly and bait casting. Red wraps bordered in black with red intermediates. Usually bamboo, I know of one example made from lancewood. This is a very rare rod these days.
Options
Custom Rods
Throughout its history, Divine would always build any rod a customer wanted. An extreme example seen by Len Codella was a matched set of 3 one piece silk wrapped rods. Fly rods as short as 5'9" have also been found. Interesting!

Silkien Process 
Patented in 1897 by Mr. Kenyon this expensive and time consuming process of wrapping a rod from grip to tip in silk could be done to any Divine model. A silk wrapped Gloriwest, Divine's most expensive rod, cost $60 in 1923!
Invisible Rods
Invisible rods were painted dark green and given blackened hardware, thus rendering them invisible to the fish. (Well, maybe). Any rod could be made 'invisible'.  They are fairly uncommon.
8-Strip Construction
8-strip construction was always available to those fishermen who preferred a rounder rod shaft.
Spliced Joint Construction
This older style of rod joint eliminates a ferrule and improves rod action, but of course requires the angler to bind the rod sections together with cord or fine wire...not too convenient. Divine offered it as an option on all rods.
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