Bristol 63

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GRASSNGLASS
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Bristol 63

Post by GRASSNGLASS »

Does anyone know the history on these little multipliers?

Thanks,
Barry



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Midway Tommy D
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Re: Bristol 63

Post by Midway Tommy D »

There's some information here. Bill should be along pretty soon to update and expand on it.
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)

Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
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Bill Muth
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Re: Bristol 63

Post by Bill Muth »

Horton listed the Bristol No. 63 as a new reel in the 1950 catalog, so it was likely produced from 1949 until the company went out business in 1951. They advertised the reel as the "Bristol No. 63 All-Purpose Multiple Action Reel" and described it as being the first reel ever designed exclusively for use with a telescopic rod. The reel purportedly could be used for fly fishing, bait casting, still fishing, or trolling based on its line capacity. It came equipped with an externally controlled clicker, triple multiplying gears, and was finished in gun-metal baked enamel, sporting an aluminum handle with a bulbous grasp that I have found in various shades of red or clear like yours. It was available for $4.00 in the 1950 catalog. Yours is one of the early models, the later models were simply marked "Bristol 63" on the face plate and "The Horton-Bristol Mfg. Co." on the foot. Horton changed it's name from "The Horton Mfg. Co." to "The Horton-Bristol Mfg. Co." the year before the owners sold the company. There are a few examples of the different handle colors and markings in the following pic:

Wanted: Horton, Bristol & Meek reels, reel boxes, and catalogs!!!!
GRASSNGLASS
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Re: Bristol 63

Post by GRASSNGLASS »

Thanks for the great information.

Barry
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