Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
I recently found a few fishing reels in an old farm house. One little brass on and maybe stainless steel ones, unsure of the material on the shiny' er ones. Turns out the brass one is a Meek & Milam with a number one stamped in the side, but doesn't have the one and two stamped into the screws like others I have seen. I watched a video where a guy in Kentucky said the early ones we're brass and later the silver ones we're plated with "coin silver" (zinc/copper/brass). Mine has a number one stamped into the side, so I was thinking it maybe a first run/model, but you guys probably know more about it then I do. I will post images tomorrow as it's too dark to take them now.
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
You certainly will have a lot people interested in your follow-up post. A Meek & Milam No. 1 is a very nice and rare reel.
Wanted: Horton, Bristol & Meek reels, reel boxes, and catalogs!!!!
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
I have the images
Last edited by kyreels on Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: bad link
Reason: bad link
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
The number 1 refers to the diameter size, and was typically the smallest model used for trout (although there are a few size “0” out there.)
I’ll defer to my restoration compadres, but your No.1 looks like it is made of German silver that has tarnished with a nice patina. It doesn’t appear brass to me but it’s tough to determine without personal examination. I would gently clean it, but definitely not polish the reel. The ivory (?) grasp looks right, although the screw holding it appears loose from the photos.
No. 1 German silver Meek & Milam reels are very collectible and the auction prices for Kentucky reels appear to have strengthened after a sluggish decade. In my opinion the reel would have an auction estimate of $2800 to $3500, with a 10% increase if it was indeed brass.
I’ll defer to my restoration compadres, but your No.1 looks like it is made of German silver that has tarnished with a nice patina. It doesn’t appear brass to me but it’s tough to determine without personal examination. I would gently clean it, but definitely not polish the reel. The ivory (?) grasp looks right, although the screw holding it appears loose from the photos.
No. 1 German silver Meek & Milam reels are very collectible and the auction prices for Kentucky reels appear to have strengthened after a sluggish decade. In my opinion the reel would have an auction estimate of $2800 to $3500, with a 10% increase if it was indeed brass.
Last edited by Mike N on Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Mike, I think you mean German silver.if it was indeed brass.
Rick, one way to determine the metal is to very carefully remove some screws. The threaded ends of German silver screws normally will not have tarnished to that yellowish, brass-looking condition.
Steve Vernon
ORCA Honorary member
Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Not really, Steve. Although the brass reels were less expensive when sold in the Meek or Milam catalogs, I perceive the brass reels to be more scarce today (especially in the No. 1 size) and demanding a small premium now. That’s an an intuitive guess on my part and I don’t have any ready empirical data to support it besides my observations of Kentucky reel prices (German silver v. brass) over the years.Steve wrote:Mike, I think you mean German silver.if it was indeed brass.
Mike N
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Interesting surprise, but your intuitive guess is better than mine. I've just always assumed that GS versions of anything at all command a premium over the brass versions. But...good food for thought.intuitive guess on my part
Steve Vernon
ORCA Honorary member
Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 8556
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Mike/Steve, based on past Langs auctions, i have to agree with Steve that brass will bring less than nickel silver versions... probably 30% less. The nickel silver has been going for appr 1800-2k with vig and brass less. The reel in question also lacks numbered holes and/or screws, which i suspect would be needed to get that value up. Just my thoughts!
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
- RonG
- Super Board Poster
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:49 pm
- Location: Frostproof, FL
- Contact:
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
In my humble opinion, value of KY reels is not based solely on German silver vs. brass. As a buyer, to me the most important thing is the reel's condition. German silver vs. brass does not tell the whole story. Personally, if I had the option to buy a German silver or brass KY of equal excellent condition, I would choose the brass one. They are scarcer than the German silver ones and they look cooler. I can't speak to a comparison of reels of poor or modified condition (i.e. filed foot) since I would not be interested in buying them.
Ron Gast
https://reelsnlures.com
https://reelsnlures.com
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
I agree.RonG wrote:...Personally, if I had the option to buy a German silver or brass KY of equal excellent condition, I would choose the brass one. They are scarcer than the German silver ones and they look cooler.
Mike N
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 8556
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Are you guys generalizing about all Kentuckys? This thread is about a Meek & MIlam. We've seen the Snyders, and I doubt there are a lot of GS JF&BFs around. Other makers?German silver or brass KY...They are scarcer than the German silver ones...I agree.
Steve Vernon
ORCA Honorary member
Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Nothing like a pyramid of brass Kentucky reels and a GS JF & BF to make you spit your coffee all over the computer in the morning. Nice pics Ron!
Wanted: Horton, Bristol & Meek reels, reel boxes, and catalogs!!!!
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Great, great photo, Ron.
A little more data from a photo of my No. 1 Kentucky reel collection in 1992. As the caption from the American Fly Fisher article indicates, of the 7 reels I’m holding, 6 were German silver and only one was brass.
Mike N
A little more data from a photo of my No. 1 Kentucky reel collection in 1992. As the caption from the American Fly Fisher article indicates, of the 7 reels I’m holding, 6 were German silver and only one was brass.
Mike N
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Well thank you Gentleman, I had completely forgot about this post. I will be putting it up this week coming up, look for it this Sunday.
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Thanks to ebay and paypal telling me I have to have a business account to sell on ebay, I have decided to do private sales or local craigslist., I will list it here then we can go from their.
-
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 2578
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 10:42 am
- Location: S.F. Bay Area ORCA MEMBER
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
You would get the best price and level of interest listing it here, IMO. Craigslist would be an utter waste of time.
Mark
Mark
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
your right, sale is pending to RonG as we speak
Re: Meek & Milam fishing reel appraisal
Great! Glad ORCA members could help. Please consider a small donation to ORCA’s non-profit website to keep Reel Talk running.RHowse65 wrote:your right, sale is pending to RonG as we speak
Mike N
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990