i have the same reel seat that is un-marked i was told it came in an envelope marked vom hofe but never saw the envelope,so do you think its the same maker but as a trade item?
Brower made several items besides the reel seat, including a rod butt and boat whistle. They were all very high quality, some of german steel. Once the patents expired, they were stamped out unmarked. We see them in many shows in the midwest and south. I would guess many cane poles in the midwest used the generics. We always said Herters, but who knows who made them.
I still think about an early Brower reel seat in the box with hand scripted calligraphic ink label. I really wanted that item, but it passed along the way I think. Let me know if you run across it.
Matt Wickham
Collector of Casting Weights, KY Reels and KY Tackle
Chuck - I would imaging that Brower would sell their reel seats to whoever wanted them and let them stamp their name on them if they wished. I can see vom Hofe and other companies buying from Brower and stamping his name on them. Many of vom Hofe's products in their catalogs were made by other people but stamped vom Hofe.
Matt - You are right too, I imagine other companies made them after Brower's patent expired, it was a versatile and sound design.
If anyone is interested in this one I'll price reduced to $20.00 including shipping.
OK. Town crier, fence viewer, measurer of bark and lumber. We have all of those in New England. But what in the heck is a bell hanger? Yes, I can imagine, but was this an actual marketable trade?
("Hello, Joseph Bower, bell hanger. You say you need a bell hung today, ma'am? Yes, I think we can do that. I have a fully trained staff ready to go out to hang any size bell, anywhere at any time of day or night. Just ... (clears throat) ring us up and we'll be there.")