St Louis-Meisselbach???

[Dale Noll]

Have two reels exactly alike except for the name.

1st reel: Shown in K White 299-0625 and named St Louis Take-a-Part, unknown maker.
2nd reel: Shown in K White 196-0008 and named Take-Down as an AF Meisselbach.

Reels are high quality, near perfect spinners. Three of four oil caps are missng, but the one I have is a knurled nob just like the 2 screws on the Headplate for easy take apart. No clicker, but there is a drag button on tailplate side. Foot is marked 40.

Must be plated brass because nothing is magnetic except arbor. There are three serated rims, 2 on the headplate, and 1 on the tailplate. Serations go all around the rim, and these serations have the same fine knurling as the take apart screws and Oil Cap. Beautiful reels.

Any suggestions on who is mfg. I did not find this type design in Phil's book of Meisselbach types.

[Reel Geezer]

Dale: Now I know why I don't own the book you mention. I don't know what reels you have but Meisselbach never made a reel called a "Take-Down". One sure ID as a non-Meisselbach, is that Meisselbach casting reels had no headplate oil caps - the bearings were permanent.

[Teal]

Dale,

I will leave it to Phil and his expertise to decide whether these are Meisselbachs or not, but in my experience almost every reel marked St. Louis and then a trade name is a product made for one of St. Louis' great wholesale trade houses, either Shapleigh Hardware, E.C. Simmons Hardware, Witte Hardware, Meacham Arms, etc. If you send me a pic I will go through some catalog material and see what I come up with.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd E.A. Larson

[Dale Noll]

Todd, Not able to send photos, but if you have K White book, the photos shown are of the reels that I have described. However, the word St Louis is not on the reel. The St Louis came from the book listing. Likewise the name Meisselbach came from the book listing and is not on the reel. However, the names Take-a-Part and Take-Down are imprinted in italic format on the Headplates in exactly the same location respectively.

The take apart screws are somewhat similar to those used on Abu 5000, except these can be completely removed. The one Oil Cap that I have is also serated and shown quite clearly in the 299-0625 photo.

Thanks for any help. I don't have hardware store paperwork or info except what is marked on reels which is very little.

Dale.

[Teal]

Hi Dale,

Hmmm. I will take a look at the White's pic, although without the St. Louis marked on the reel one cannot be sure.

If White's is the same on reels as it is on lures, it can be massively unreliable.

Cheers,

Todd

[Reel Geezer]

Dale: That reel is a generic reel that appears with many names. I'm sorry, but I just haven't taken the time to look it up, but I believe it is a Montague. If not, it's from Union Hardware or H-I, or one of those makers that made lots of generics. I believe it's c1920s. This is all from memory, so don't hold me to the makers, but it is a fairly common generic.

[Dale Noll]

Phil: Thanks for info. Initially I also thought UH or HI, but no luck searching past two years. These reels are better quality than anything I have in my collection from either HI or UH. Also been watching for something from Rochester Reel, but so far, very few hits. Like you, suspect that Montague is a good probability, but so far no luck.

No other reels in my collection have italized lettering. Also, the only reel that I have with similar Take Apart Screws is a beautiful Pflueger Sumco 4 Br 2257. The Sumco screws are larger, and have a screw driver slot, but are in the same radial location and similar style. Photos of Abu Record 2100 and 2300 appear to be take apart screws, but I don't have either to check.

Just add one new issue. The foot plate is attached to the cross pillars with with slotted screws.

Thanks again for any help out there.

Dale.