Hi Hurdpete,
Welcome aboard. Do you have any biographical info on Edwin Hurd? I am wondering if he is related to Charles Edwin Hurd (1833-1910), who was a famous Boston newspaperman and author of one of the important early histories of America. It seems as if Hurd is an unusual name, and particularly Edwin Hurd. So maybe there is some connection between the two?
FYI Hurd Lock Co. is listed on the Detroit Stock Exchange in December, 1936, coinciding with their move to Adrian, MI (see below). Charles D. Ferguson was a major stockholder, as the S.E.C. reported he sold significant shares of Hurd Lock stock on 20 April 1940 (he is later listed as Secretary of the company). On 02 June 1944, Hurd Lock reported a net profit of $255,615, or .25 on 1,000,000 shares of recently issued common stock. On 04 April 1946, Hurd issued another 200,000 shares of common stock for $5. Hurd Lock & Manufacturing Company offered its first dividend since 1945 on 22 June, 1949 (.15 per share). On 11 April 1950, Hurd reported earnings of $116, 926, up from $74,348 the previous year. Interesting that this doubling of profits seems to coincide with the supercaster? Net profits for 1951 were $131,339--another increase. the New York Times reported that in 1953 Hurd did not issue a dividend because of "heavy cash requirements because of large volume sales." Net profits fell to $102,057 in 1954. Dividend payments resumed in 1955. In 1956, hurd reported a net loss of $160,064, losses that increased in 1957. Warren E. Avis is listed as chairman in 1959.
There was also an Edwin Hurd who was a real estate broker in the Bronx circa 1949, but I don't think there is a connection to your reel.
Interestingly, it seems as if Hurd is still in business. A short company history from their web site:
"Shortly after World War One Edwin P. Hurd, founder of Hurd Lock and
Manufacturing Company, devised a lock and chain combination to prevent
the theft of automobile tires. In this era the sedan was not in production
and tires were carried in fender wells or on racks on the rear of the automobile.
In 1919, Mr. Hurd began manufacture of these locks in a garage behind his home in Detroit, Michigan. In 1931, production was moved to Almont,
Michigan. In 1936 the company established a plant in Adrian, Michigan.
Finally, in May of 1962, all manufacturing operations were moved to
Greeneville,Tennessee our current location.
During the history of the company Hurd has worked with original equipment manufacturers like Ford, Freightliner, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors in the automotive industry as well as Steelcase, ASC Vehicle Technologies, GB Technologies, Adrian Steel and others in the specialty lock industry.
Hurd product lines include the electronic components included in today’s
automobiles. Hurd is a licensed manufacturer of General Motor’s VATS Keys as well as the keys used in Chrysler’s Sentry Key Immobilizer System.
All Hurd products are supported by in house engineering, manufacturing,
quality and customer service activities. Hurd Processes include
zinc die casting, plastic injection molding, plating, and assembly operations. Our quality department includes a test lab that provides environmental, durability, electrical, and dimensional product validation."
(
http://www.hurdlock.com/Ourhistory.html)
I think your best bet is to contact the company and see if they have any records of producing this rod/reel combo.
--Dr. Todd E.A. Larson
. THANKS.
Any more of these and you'll think I'm Milt.