For the hardest of the hardcore Bronson collectors, quite possibly the rarest (and, in my opinion, the most beautiful) reel ever produced by the company. This prototype was built sometime in 1937 or early 1938 to be sold exclusively through V.L. & A. (Von Lengerke & Antoine) of Chicago. Built of solid German silver, exquisitely knurled, sculpted & jeweled, with unique mottled side plate spacers and matching handle grips. Faceplate-mounted ABL switch and clicker on the tailplate. Unmarked except for under the foot, which is stamped with Bronson's standard 1937 "PAT. APP. FOR - Made In U.S.A. - 37" foot markings. The reel is virtually untouched and certainly never mounted or spooled with line. The original box and hang tag are hand-marked "SAMPLE REEL MADE FOR V.L. & A. CHICAGO 1937-38 (NOT TAKEN)". I assume the "Not Taken" to mean that, for whatever reason(s), V.L.& A. turned them down. I don't know if more than one of these were produced, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out it's the only example that exists. Hoping someone here can help shed a little more light on this beauty. Thanks.
Mark
I specifically remember seeing it up there. I used to look at the Bronson site on a daily basis. It had the bronsonreelphotos.com insignia over the pictures so you couldn't copy them. I remember reading all about it and how it was considered to be the most prized reel. Call me crazy but someone had posted photos of it and wrote up about it. It is not one I would forget. Either way that reel is amazing!
Dylan Eldridge wrote:I specifically remember seeing it up there. I used to look at the Bronson site on a daily basis. It had the bronsonreelphotos.com insignia over the pictures so you couldn't copy them. I remember reading all about it and how it was considered to be the most prized reel. Call me crazy but someone had posted photos of it and wrote up about it. It is not one I would forget. Either way that reel is amazing!
I cant believe I didn't see it on the site before, even under the Trade reel section (under "P" for "Prototype") that I've looked at hundreds of times. I hope this isn't a sign that I'm getting old?
Mark
I doesn't matter Mark, thanks for the refresher via posting it. It is a beautiful example and, in hindsight, whoever didn't "take it" or turned it down should have been fired and had their head examined.
Yes sir! After many years, a few owners, and allot of dollars this puppy is where she belongs. Right next to the other prototypes! Feels good. I was do determined to keep them together.
For the hardest of the hardcore Bronson collectors, quite possibly the rarest (and, in my opinion, the most beautiful) reel ever produced by the company. This prototype was built sometime in 1937 or early 1938 to be sold exclusively through V.L. & A. (Von Lengerke & Antoine) of Chicago. Built of solid German silver, exquisitely knurled, sculpted & jeweled, with unique mottled side plate spacers and matching handle grips. Faceplate-mounted ABL switch and clicker on the tailplate. Unmarked except for under the foot, which is stamped with Bronson's standard 1937 "PAT. APP. FOR - Made In U.S.A. - 37" foot markings. The reel is virtually untouched and certainly never mounted or spooled with line. The original box and hang tag are hand-marked "SAMPLE REEL MADE FOR V.L. & A. CHICAGO 1937-38 (NOT TAKEN)". I assume the "Not Taken" to mean that, for whatever reason(s), V.L.& A. turned them down. I don't know if more than one of these were produced, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out it's the only example that exists. Hoping someone here can help shed a little more light on this beauty. Thanks.
