did every US state make reels???

ORCA Online Forum - Feel free to talk or ask about ALL kinds of old tackle here, with an emphasis on old reels!
User avatar
SWIM JIG
Super Board Poster
Posts: 1446
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 6:36 pm
Location: AMHERST OHIO

did every US state make reels???

Post by SWIM JIG »

:) 8) :oops: :!: :?: :idea: :arrow: :type: Ok here is the QUESTION! Did reel Companies have MFG or aseembly plants in all the states? first the 48states and Commonwelths, then or 49th and 50th state? I cannot find a decent referance book on this, have found States that made parts etc or components then shiped to assembly states. Having just aquired a reel made in Vermont ie Burlington metal Products inc. Vermont, I have been bitten by the reel bug ie all states. If a person could get a reel from every state that made reels, It certainly would make a wonderful desplay! Any help will be well recived. This would also include small companies or Individuals ! Respectfuly Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG your Ohio Conection and another first ,Our attorney Gen has ruled that faimlies of injured military personal in this war in (THE SAND BOX) can recive funds from the victumns of crime funds, Hu RAH! LETS HOPE YOUR STATES DO THE SAME!
User avatar
Brian F.
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3578
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 1:23 am
Location: Hilo, Hawaii

50th

Post by Brian F. »

Milt, I've never heard of anyone manufacturing any reels or even parts here in HI . I have seen custom made reels from here but only know of one that might have been sold (the others might also have been made anywhere in the South Pacific). Ed Pritchard of FL told me he had a reel in his collection made by a fellow who produced several quality custom big game reels in HI.

The Crawford Reel - custom made by a Mr. Crawford Late 1930s Honolulu, HI

Image
Photo by Ed Pritchard
Last edited by Brian F. on Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:58 pm, edited 3 times in total.
User avatar
john elder
Star Board Poster
Posts: 8669
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm

Post by john elder »

well, let's make a list! I won't poach on other states...someone from each should pitch in for their back yard!

CA is well represented, with
REELS:

Kovalovsky
Langley
J.A. Coxe
Stead
Coit Electric reel
Golden Gate
Sea Lake
Dalmo Castey

ADD-ONS/PARTS

Reel Deal
California Drag Handle (W.H. Riddle)

CONTRIBUTORS:

Moi
Brian Funai

I've no doubt left someone off...those are the quickies...let me know of others and I'll edit this post for CA, rather than starting more than one string per state!
Last edited by john elder on Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Jim Schottenham
Super Board Poster
Posts: 848
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 10:27 pm
Location: Upstate NY
Contact:

I'll take a shot at it....

Post by Jim Schottenham »

A few states that were home to some of my favorites:
New York, home of Billinghurst, Follett, Conroy, Vom Hofe, etc.
Indiana, home of National Specialties Inc., Peters Line Drying Reel, etc.
Jim
Larry Moellman
Frequent Board Poster
Posts: 40
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2003 4:50 pm

Post by Larry Moellman »

Missouri has the William H. Talbot Reel Co. Also Marc Reels, Virgina Reel Co. to name a couple.
User avatar
Steve
Star Board Poster
Posts: 4013
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 6:11 am
Contact:

Post by Steve »

Pennsylvania:

Altmaier, Harrisburg (Several combos seen, but mfr. location uncertain. They look as if Altmaier, the inventor, might have made them himself.)
Ross-White Mfg. Co. (Made the Follett- and Ross-patented automatic combos.)
:?: Leonard Atwood? He was in Philadelphia while applying for at least two of his patents. Dunno if any of the reels were made locally.
:?: Malcolm Shipley? His reels were made elsewhere, but he may have made his drag attachments.
Hall & Smith, Philadelphia. Their combos have been found locally.
Yale
Elmer Sellers
Ocean City
Penn
Quaker City Gear Works
User avatar
Bill Muth
Super Board Poster
Posts: 698
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 11:38 pm
Location: Minnesota

Post by Bill Muth »

From my former home of state of Nebraska: Good-All Mfg. Co. made a side caster and a rod/reel combo. A little company named Heddon had their name on a few reels in my current home state.
User avatar
Harvey
Super Board Poster
Posts: 1086
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 6:17 pm
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Contact:

Post by Harvey »

This is a good idea. BUT, someone should keep track of this and keep it all together on one thread and in order. (Maybe someone with web space could donate a page to this project (Phil or Paul or Steve?) Also, if we are going to go to the trouble of doing this, don't you think the city/town/address or something like that should be added? Just some thoughts!
"H"
cws/carl schultz
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 166
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:02 am

michigan

Post by cws/carl schultz »

gee did anyone make reels in michigan? lol-------small company reels-------ranger/fraser/longfellow/betts-bodeus/ausable/pioneer/great lakes/lifetime products/waterking/vetco/airflow/ and then the little known companys of shakespeare,bronson and heddon -------michigan is great at ustabe ustabe 90% of all fishing tackle and autos were made here like i said ustabe
reelsmith.

Post by reelsmith. »

Connecticut:

The Connecticut Reel Company
Stuart
Winchester
Hendryx
Union Hardware
Bristol

Dean.
reelsmith.

Post by reelsmith. »

I think Hatch was from CT too (Anson B.)

Dean.
Reel Geezer
Ultra Board Poster
Posts: 2314
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 11:06 pm
Location: On the Snake River or Lake Lowell
Contact:

Post by Reel Geezer »

Odd conincidence: I received an email with a photo last night of a reel that was supposedly made in Idaho. Supposedly 65 reels were made by this person, and they were sold in some hardware store. I have no further information at this time. If so, that's the only reel I am aware of from Idaho.

I have found a couple of reels called "The Sheridan Reel" that were made in Sheridan, WY. They were sidecast reels, similar to those Colorado reels. I know of no reel made in Utah. The Mosquito was made in Nevada. There was a reel patented in Montana, but the reels that have been found are all marked with the later address of the maker after he moved to Washington.

On my Old Reels web site http://www.oldreels.com there is a list of makers or patentees from the Northwest. This is the type of information that could be posted on the Fishing Reel Research web site http://www.fishing-reel-research.org/, if you want. However, I would want you to send an email with your data and I'll set up a page with this information. There is already a section on Manufacturers awaiting your information.
User avatar
reelland
Frequent Board Poster
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 5:40 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Colorado reels

Post by reelland »

Colorado reels:

Humphreys
Magic
Hansen
Fre-Line
Wright & McGill
Humpal
Lectro-Matic
Edco Cas King
The Loveland reel (only about 5 or 6 proto types found)
and the newer Ross reels.

I think there are a few others but these are ones I can come up with.
Bill L.
User avatar
Ed Clark
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 181
Joined: Fri May 28, 2004 3:40 pm
Location: Cheshire, CT

Post by Ed Clark »

There were a few other Connecticut reel companys also - and I'm sure there may be more I miss -

Star reel works
Holmes
Bethel Machine
Terry
Horton
Halovach Mfg. Co
Liberty Bell
User avatar
Steve
Star Board Poster
Posts: 4013
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2003 6:11 am
Contact:

Post by Steve »

New Mexico:

DEB Mfg. Co.
reelsmith.

Post by reelsmith. »

Ed,

Yikes!

How did I forget about all of those!

I guess a lot of reels came from our state.

Okay guys, which state made the most reels?

Given that Winchester, Hendryx, Union Hardware and Horton were in CT, that alone makes for a TON of reels.

Dean.
Reel Geezer
Ultra Board Poster
Posts: 2314
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 11:06 pm
Location: On the Snake River or Lake Lowell
Contact:

Post by Reel Geezer »

I have just posted all the data presented here on the Fishing Reel Research web site, and given all you guys above this post credit for your information. You can see it at: http://fishing-reel-research.org/manufacturers.htm and follow the link to manufacturers by state.

Dean: the greatest number by state that has been submitted to date is for Washington, with 17 manufacturers. Michigan is second, and Connecticut is third. It just goes to show how little most of the rest of the country knows about the great northwest. I'm sure there are more than that in many other states, but this is what has been submitted to date.
reelsmith.

Post by reelsmith. »

Phil.

That's really interesting.

Which state do we think made the most reels by volume, as opposed to having had the most makers?

Dean.
User avatar
Reelman
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 344
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:58 pm
Location: East Troy Pa.
Contact:

Post by Reelman »

SPINN-X from Colorado


Merv
User avatar
SWIM JIG
Super Board Poster
Posts: 1446
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 6:36 pm
Location: AMHERST OHIO

this may be a bit to easy

Post by SWIM JIG »

:D 8) :!: :?: :idea: :arrow: :type: If I were to venture a guess I would sat OK. Oaklahoma and the ZEBO co. lets see where this leads us! COL. M. LORENS aka SWIM JIG , folks keep up the listings as you have already listed several I have never heard of or worked on! DONT STOP NOW!
User avatar
Reelman
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 344
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:58 pm
Location: East Troy Pa.
Contact:

Post by Reelman »

Maxwell from Washington
Pequea From Pennsylvania
User avatar
Harvey
Super Board Poster
Posts: 1086
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 6:17 pm
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Contact:

Post by Harvey »

Lets see,
Cal. also has Miller,
Mich. has Kalamazoo Tackle Co,
J.F. Marster was located st 55 Court St., Brooklyn, NY
WHEELER & McGREGOR. Milwaukee
A.B. Barnhill, New York
Man, My head hurts!
Florida had Fin-Nor, Seamaster.
I will check with Bill Stuart to see if he knows any more form Fla.
I need a nap!
:bash:
"H"
User avatar
Jim Schottenham
Super Board Poster
Posts: 848
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 10:27 pm
Location: Upstate NY
Contact:

Post by Jim Schottenham »

" the greatest number by state that has been submitted to date is for Washington, with 17 manufacturers"

Guess I better provide more than just my favorites!
Harris Reel Company
T.H. Bate
Albert Pettengill
Andrew Clerk
Charles Clinton
A. H. Fowler
A. Coates
James Morgan
Fredrick Malleson
Yawmen & Erbe
Loomis & Plumb
Martin Reel Company
Carlton
John Koph
J. Drieser
J.B. Crook
I'm sure I could find more, but these come to mind.

That should put NY back on top for makers, but I'd think Michigan and Connecticut would come out on top for numbers of reels produced.
Jim
User avatar
Reelman
Advanced Board Poster
Posts: 344
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:58 pm
Location: East Troy Pa.
Contact:

Post by Reelman »

Bernard Goldweber from New York
Regan Industries from Michigan
Sterling from Connecticut
Lou Eppinger from Michigan
User avatar
john elder
Star Board Poster
Posts: 8669
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm

Post by john elder »

tsk, tsk, Harvey...you forgot Zwarg! where were/are Albys made? Gotta be more than that in Fla!
Post Reply