Beaverkill & Delite Reel Values....what's my reel worth??

[leonart2000]

hi
first posting for me , although enjoyed being a member for a while

so lets see after all my research , I couldn't find an exact answer found price 'all over' inc sold ebay listings
and lawsons price guide on 2 of my reels

1st
4 brothers delite 60 yd
image attached, any idea of exact mnfctr year ?
I believe its bakelite, and german silver with counter balance handle
will need a good clean


2nd
montague beaverkill 60 yd
brass and nickel plated ?
again idea of mnfctr year ?
this model is not listed in lawson guide

rich
look frwd to many good discussions

[Paul M]

Your pictures didn't appear, so condition and specific age can't be judged yet.

"Four Brothers" Delite is listed in Lawson's 3rd edition pg 55 and in the 4th edition on page 51.

Paul M

[wrong99]

The Four Bros. line of reels were produced by Pflueger. The Montague "Beaverkill" was a multiplier made from around 1910-1925.
Mark

[Paul M]

I have a copy of Pflueger Reels, The First 80 Years by Don Champion with assistance of Bob Miller. Copies can be purchased from the ORCA library. Based on the catalog research, the 60 yard Delite was in production from 1916. There were 2 versions, NPB and gunmetal. The gun metal version was short lived to 1917. The NPB version is shown through 1929. So which do you have?

Paul M

[leonart2000]

hi some great feedback
sorry I did inc pics
let me try again
beaverkill ;

[leonart2000]

and the 4 bros - pflueger
heres the pics

[leonart2000]

paul
yes the 4 bros. is Nickel Plated Brass version with hard rubber
needs a good clean - research so far tells me miracle cloth ?
in fact the beaverkill could do with a clean also ....lol
beaverkill is nickel plated brass and dosen't show up in Lawson's book
many thanks
rich

[Paul M]

They are both nice reels. The impression of the Delite name and 4 Bros logo is perfect (and very shallow). Also the rubber has retained its darkness. Just wiping it with a damp cloth is all the rubber needs. The NPB and rubber can be spot cleaned and polished so you can avoid the risk of making the rubber turn light brown which might occur if you soak the whole reel in the usual vinegar/water process. The rubber cannot be aggressively polished or that beautiful logo will get damaged.

Paul M

[leonart2000]

thanks again good solid advice
liked your site paul in CA

I have aloooot of old brass reels....haven't even started asking you experts on them yet ...haha

so I did add a few extra books to my library (help the ocra coffers:)
but couldn't locate the champion/miller book

so any idea on original q.. re. b/kill maybe its listed under another model no# in lawsons book ?

best
rich

[leonart2000]

hi
in terms of cleaning the b/kill ?
and any NPB reel...would be good advice for all reels, and anyone else not sure as to best option
as you might have seen from my images
there is some wear to NP on mine near handle and check
would cleaning remove even more of the plate....would that de value if it was cleaned and only showed as brass

[Paul M]

Thanks for the feedback. The Champion/Miller document I mentioned is a not a "book" but rather a multi-page list of Plueger reel models and manufacturing dates, based on catalog research. It is not in the ORCA Store but is in the ORCA Library where copies can be ordered. It is item

#66 Pflueger Reels: The First 80 years Date: 2014 Pages: 21
D. Champion w/ R. Miller (Mfr. dates as available in catalogs)

There is a long list of useful research material in the ORCA Library so look over everything before ordering.

The nickel plating should clean up easily. If there are flakes missing it would be better to leave it that way and not strip down to the brass, IMHO. That reel is in great shape. Again, lots of info on the cleaning and restoration page. A simple, light wipe will make it look nicer, I am sure.

Paul M