Reel ID?

[Paul M]

Does anyone know anything about this reel?

[Mike N]

Well, at first glance the long wavy arms and spiral surface appear to make it a member of the cephalopod family, which includes the octopus and the nautilus. It is a peculiar design.

Mike N

[john elder]

Other views, Paul? What’s that “tongue” sticking out the back? Size? My guess is another nice one-off.

J

[Paul M]

It may be a wire-line trolling reel. The lever would therefore be for controlling free spool. Here is the rear side:



Apparently there is at least a second one with slightly different details. Both of these were posted as mystery reels on my Antique Fishing Reels Facebook Group.

[reelsmith.]

Not that it matters, but I'm curious ...is the crank solid or hollow ?

Something about the way it looks makes me think its hollow.

Dean.

[Paul M]

I asked and posted a link to this thread. Robert Dobko, owner of the second reel responded:

Paul the 5 in crank arm is solid cast aluminum flat on the underside and domed shaped on the upper surface. The two handle knobs are cast aluminum. The 10 in frame looks to be solid cast aluminum as well.; The steel rod measures 29 in. The handle is wood and 10 inches long with an aluminum cap. The reel is very heavy. If you need more or better pics let me know.

[Paul M]

.... Paul I found it in a small antique shop outside of Wellington near the Bay of Quinte. The spool release lever pictured works really nicely and the unique line guide really intrigued me when I first saw it. The spool is just under 6 inches in diameter. As I originally noted there is not a single makers mark anywhere on the outfit.

[Paul M]

... The spool attaches to the frame via four screws two on each side. I believe the original manufacture of this reel made it to be a right hand crank as the free spool lever is in the correct position to easily function as a heavy lure is being released....the first gentleman's reel has been switched to be a left hand crank hence the free spool lever is on the back rather than the front.
I can not see the solid cast line guide on his reel. My spool is loaded with a very think [thick?] steel line so this outfit was clearly a deep water trolling rig back in the day.