B68-73 SPILE ROD SET. W.R. Loftus. Spile rods were narrow dipping rods that could be inserted into a cask through a small hole that could be sealed with a stile, or wooden dowel, without removing the bung. They typically came in sets of three to six segments that could be screwed together. See Rees, pp. 212-13. This one consists of six 10" segments in original leather case. Marked "Loftus Maker, 321 Oxford St., London", and also marked with typical cask measurements such as firkins, etc. William Loftus began as a bookseller and expanded into instruments and equipment for the excise and spirit trade; the Oxford address dates this to 1870-1910. Boxwood has light wear. Leather case fully intact. Unusual. Good+ 100-200