Another interesting unknown reel

[john elder]

Well, unnamed and unknown to me! ORCAN Jeff Holcombe found this one. Maybe someone will recognize enough character to give hint as to maker. It’s made of aluminum and brass and i see a reel with similarities in Graham Turner’s examples of UK reels, i like the way the maker used long screws that extend through the hollow brass pillars and screw into the face plate. It’s a solid little reel whose only significant flaw was in the use of a brass clicker; the poor thing is just eaten away from years of constant clicking! It will look nice on jeff’s shelf, regardless!






Note the drill marks on both faces of the face plate. I originally thought this was to reduce weight, but it’s aluminum! I believe the purpose was to help hold grease in place... sort of a time release mechanism?

[Paul M]

This reel shares style characteristics of the SEJ Flyfisher's Winch. The unusual common elements are the wide arbor, the style of open journal and protruding bearing on the back plate and the way the spool is sunken into the backplate. I will guess Slater.

[john elder]

You may be right, Paul, but I see a lot more differences than similarities with the reel shown in your link. The foot is not the same style and about the only common thing I see is the exposed spindle on the back plate. Seems there were a number of these types of reels made by several makers in the UK and lots of copying of styles....i.e., if it works...if it sells...use it! the reel is very similar to the Hardy Hercules reel shown in the Turner book, but seems likely if they made it, it would have left with the Hardy name on it!



... perhaps a case of “the sincerest form of flattery”?

[Paul M]

An alloy Slater in my collection but it also has numerous differences. Slater made a huge variety of reels and often didn’t mark them. It is hard to be sure without a name.

[Dustnstuff]

The "X" is the marking that Heaton used.
Dustnstuff

[Paul M]

Well it could be by Heaton but “X” is probably a batch control number that is not unique to Heaton. Heaton reels have other numbers scratched into the internal surfaces too.

[RAM]

It looks like a Heaton I have, but what do I know?

BB

[Dustnstuff]

Seems to me that Slater had better quality in their production then Heaton.
The drill marks and holes look uneven and "rushed".
Paul is right in that Heaton used other Roman numerals to mark their reels.
but this still looks like a Heaton made reel.
Dustnstuff

[john elder]

Dustin. I’m assuming that this drill indents were something added later by a fisherman to retard grease migration during us, rather than something done at the factory...and were certainly “rushed”! However, the pillar, foot and spindle holes appear proper.

[Stef Duma]

Smith & Wall, I have had a number of their reels over the years and as far as I am aware the internal drillings were done by them. I have had three reel internally ventilated with a S & W stamped inside.

[Steve]

Ta-da!

[john elder]

Certainly looks thematic, Steve. Sure glad mine (now) doesn’t have the spool Leprosy of that eBay reel!

Stefan, it may be a Smith and Wall product, but it is not internally “ventilated” since the drill marks are just indents, with the exception of a couple that have corroded.

J