Orvis 1874 3rd vs 4th reel

[Iggy]

Hi,
I just found this old Orvis fly reel at the bottom of my Grandfathers tacklebox. I would like to know more about it - from my internet search so far I have deduced that is neither a 1st or 2nd version of the 1874 model, and am leaning towards a 3rd based on the screws used for the reel pillar attachment. The reel works really well with strong click. Did all of the versions of this reel have a click? Is this nickel plated brass and how can I tell? Would it be worth cleaning off the old grease or safer to just leave as is? If I were to try to use this for fishing what line and rod would pair well with it?
Thank you for your advice!
Iggy

[john elder]

Hi, Iggy...nice find! i suspect you have the third version if the pillars are screwed, rather than riveted...Ron Gast has done a nice treatise on these reels:

http://luresnreels.com/orvis.html

Clicker is also a later add. Re line to fish, it likely had silk line throughout its time in use. I would think a modern line 2-4 wt would behave okay on this reel. Report back with your catch!

John

[Iggy]

Thank you! I am not sure if my original images were uploaded - I have attached the images to confirm 3rd model. Do you have any idea of how many of these were produced at the time? Is this something that I should probably protect from use and degradation for its collectors value or is this something that people buy to actually use. My alternative is to just invest in a new fly rod and reel. Given that this is nickel plated brass, and it does not seem like any of the brass is shining through, how to I protect the reel from this sort of wear and tear?

Thanks for your input,

Iggy

[Paul M]

Some folks like to fish with old tackle and I'm sure this would work fine. I have thought about using one of my Orvis fly reels on a vintage split cane rod but have not yet caved into the temptation. This type of reel might be bent or scratched if dropped on a hard surface. There is a risk of the oil cap or removeable handle falling off and dropping into the river or lake. Also I am leery of overusing the clickers on these antique reels as they might fracture. It would cost a few hundred dollars to replace this reel. Once you damage the reel the collector value will drop. The choice is yours

[Iggy]

Thanks for your input. I also found a Martin No 2 automatic fly reel and a Pflueger Progress 80 fly reel; I think that both of these have considerably less value and may be better for me to try to use than to risk losing the value of the Orvis reel.

Thanks,

Iggy