Going through the box-O-reels and this one caught my attention. French made Harrison 803. I searched here and the outside world and didn't find anything helpful. I am not a spinning reel enthusiast yet, but since it is in my "collection", I need to know about it. Surely, someone has one and could teach me a thing or two about this one. Thanks, Folks!!
Thank you, Chuck! Your response opened up some windows to look through. So far it looks like this reel is '60's and is what I would call a trade reel. The markings on the foot indicate not only where it originated, but was made kind of "at risk". Patent law over there was apparently different. This probably helped "others" private-label the reel and import/export it. I also learned that "Brevet" is a type of patent. "SGDG" refers to the "risk" side of the business of patents and manufacturing in France at that time. I'm sure there are more scholarly interpretations than mine. The numbers on the foot will have to wait for me to look into another day and may narrow down the date. "Harrison" is still a mystery to me as well.
Bretton reels from the 50's are popular collectibles, especially those with a straight foot.
Here is a link to a Reel Talk discussion 18 years ago (2003) about a Harrison no-bail spinning reel with this photo and some interesting facts. I’m not sure if it is the same company since the reel shown here is said to have been made in Newark, NJ.
There is a Bretton 400 on eBay with a (broken) foot stamped Made in France that is designed very similar to your Harrison 803. I think the link is clear.
Thank you, Gentlemen. I read that there were possibly some challenges between Bretton and another French reel maker. I just spaced the name but it starts with Z.
Quite a little drama over this design back then.
The label similarity between the 400 and 803 is interesting.
This 803 is a very smooth and quiet operating reel. I think my grandmother bought this in Colorado Springs in the early/mid 60's. She liked to visit the "pay lakes" as she called them. You paid to get in and 10 cents and inch for the fish you kept. She swore by nightcrawlers dipped in parmesan cheese. Please don't ask. I was doing as I was told. I had to drink that nasty mineral water at Garden of the Gods too.
Your Harrison 803 has no relationship to the Harrison Auto Max 100.
It is a trade made by Bretton of Cluses, France, one of France's largest spinning reel manufacturers. Harrison reels made by Bretton from the mid '50s through the '60s included the 800, 803, 808 & 809.
Bretton made reels for various companies including Martin & Sears. Bretton reels were also imported by Ocean City & Martin.
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels!(Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)
Thank you! So what do you think was the significance of the Harrison branding when this model was spread over so many "mainstream" vendors? I know Sears, Wards, LL Bean, and so on contracted for private-labeled reels from certain makers but I've never heard of a Harrison's store.
Shellbelly wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:56 am
Thank you! So what do you think was the significance of the Harrison branding when this model was spread over so many "mainstream" vendors? I know Sears, Wards, LL Bean, and so on contracted for private-labeled reels from certain makers but I've never heard of a Harrison's store.
I'm not sure. I suppose there's a possibility of some sort of an early connection to Harrison Hoge Industries since they are affiliated with Panther Martin.
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels!(Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)
Thank you for the message. The subject was traveling off the reel path. I get curious about the history of things. Now, I have to get the other 3 models just because.
