Small and cute A&I JVH patent ball handle

[Paul M]

I picked up this small and cute A&I JVH patent ball handle today along with a handful of vintage reels. Need to straighten the handle and see what the faceplate knob is supposed to control and give it a bath. It was a really good morning.

[RonG]

Nice find Paul.

[Ray Hencken]

The knob activates a click or a drag.

[Paul M]

There were dozens of collectible old reels at this antique market but with my wife in tow I had to limit my enthusiasm. However, I managed to get a fishable Hardy Featherlight, a rare Lucky Strike trolling reel (probably limited to 1000 units ever made) and a Croft (Toronto) Champion 40 yard multiplayer (probably made by A&I).

[john elder]

Great fun, Paul! I suspect you rotate that knob and it will activate a spring-loaded clicker, as Ray suggested. The spring often goes awry, so it will be apparent what’s up when you open it.

[Mike N]

Great finds, Paul.

Abbey & Imbrie vintage items are always classics.

Now, for the address of that flea market.....

Mike N.

[Mike N]

“JULIUS VOM HOFE, OF BROOKLYN, E. D., ASSIGNOR-TO HIMSELF AND CHARLES F. IMBRIE, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.”

“Be it known that I, JULIUS VOM HOFE, of Brooklyn, E. D., in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fishing-Reels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Fishing-reels become quickly worn at the bearings of the spool and gearing, and as usually constructed are expensive to repair when so worn.

The object of my invention is to provide for adjustment of the bearings, so that wear can be readily compensated and the reels kept in good condition without expense; and to that end it consists in screw-pivots combined with the reel, as hereinafter described and claimed.”

[Paul M]

Internal pics. As John anticipated, the spring got derailed from the clicker tongue but I am wondering if the spring was replaced because it is overwhelmingly strong. When engaged, the peen holding the tongue to the knob is overwhelmed so the knob turns but the tongue stays in click position.

It is interesting to see the way the patented compensating screws are independent of their covers.

The precision fit of the reel faceplate is like a watch. It is interesting to see “99” or maybe “66” die stamped on the internal faceplate.

[Ray Hencken]

My guess is that the spring is a replacement.

[RonG]

The click mechanism is similar to a Malleson and shows how the spring wire looks.

[Paul M]

After cleaning and lube the on/off click mechanism works now. I am now into The Croft reel and was wondering if this is an H&I spring configuration. I think that’s who would have made the reel but does anyone recognize this spring?

[bamboocollector11]

Paul,
That spring is a Winchester Hendryx configuration.
I recently sold a marked Sterling reel with that spring.
Regards,
Ed

[Paul M]

Thanks Ron. I will keep that in mind as I have another unmarked reel inbound with a face switch.

Ed: Yes, there is an underlined yardage mark under the foot so it is from the Winchester lineage. I asked Don Champion once before about US trade reels sold in Canada with Canadian retailer marks. He was emphatic that Winchester and Hendryx didn't make them, so I have been assuming it is the next corp in line- H&I.

[Ray Hencken]

Pictured is an early Julius vom Hofe raised pillar bait casting reel which has the knob on the back plate which when turned activates the click. This reel is before Julius put a 1/8" hole in the foot and has the earliest style pillars, predating the square pillars and rounded pillars. The earliest JVH reels were stamped " Julius Vom Hofe, N Y with a three leaf clover between the N and Y , Trade Mark" in three lines.

[Ray Hencken]

Pictured is an early JVH ball handle reel with the early logo stamped into the reel face and the knob which activated the click when turned. This reel also has a drag knob on the side of the face plate.