1900s BF Meek & Sons reel

[Dougs reels]

New to the group just wanted to show you guys what I found over the weekend. Looks to be a salt water #8 Serial number is 1168 still unsure of the exact year, would love to hear your guys feedback!

[1badf350]

You win best first post ever award! Welcome to the board!

[kyreels]

Hi Doug. Good talking to you. I am currently of the opinion that this may be a transitional #8, made after the German Silver salt water reels but before they enhanced the hard rubber plates with the corrugated endcaps. Since the corrugated endcaps appeared around 1900, I speculate this reel was probably made before that, between 1896 and 1900. In 1895 they were german silver. I also think the ivory knob is a clue to an earlier reel. It is a lovely reel, and I would love the opportunity to return it to Louisville.

I am not aware of any catalog that shows this exact reel. They were not made that long, even though the serial numbers seem to indicate there were more out there. I think BF Meek (and Sons) were losing out to other reel makers in the saltwater category.

[Dougs reels]

Thank you for all your help Matt , since I’ve post this reel on sat evening my phone has not stopped

[Dougs reels]

You win best first post ever award! Welcome to the board!

Thank you , I’m also here in Maryland eastern shore

[Mike N]

Very cool find, Doug. I hope you now join us as a collector of these vintage, precision reels made by gifted craftsmen 100 years ago. You sure have a good starting point.

Mike N

[kyreels]

I was wondering why we don't see the smooth rubber sided BFM&Sons reels in catalogs, but I did find an reference in the B.F. Meek in Louisville book (Todd Larson). It illustrates some of the trade catalogs that sold B.F. Meek & Sons reels, including the 1904 Von Lingerie & Antonie Chicago Il which illustrates the #10 Tarpon Reel in smooth rubber sides. The same catalog still featured the #6-8 salt water reels in german silver. Not sure we can conclude anything from this except that it is possible that the smooth sided hard rubber reels may have only been sold through trade companies and possibly were sold after introduction of the corrugated sides. Which means that the reel could certainly have been made after 1900 for the trade.

The serial numbers tracked by ORCA member Doug Carpenter show a #8 german silver at number 795 and a number 8 rubber with serial 1891. This reel of course is in between that. I am assuming from that evidence that serial numbers were continued from the german silver reels.

[RonG]

Here's S/N 1871





Here's a No. 8 compared to a No. 11


Here's S/N 735

[Mike N]

Matt and Ron:

What do you make of the abbreviation for number “No” on the reel’s foot?



Mike N

[RonG]

It looks like the end of the foot has been shortened/cut off, thereby removing the reel size number.

[kyreels]

thereby removing the reel size number.

I would agree. There is an "8" stamped on Ron's number 8. I believe this #8 is a reel made between the GS and the more typical reel s/n 1871 (corrugated hard rubber). It most likely was stamped No 8.

So the story to me is, s/n 731 is GS, s/n 1168 is smooth rubber, s/n 1871 is corrugated rubber. We need to examine all the reels in between these.

[bamboocollector11]

Envy fills my soul!

Just kidding!

Great find, congrats!

[Midway Tommy D]

I'm a little confused regarding Doug's reel's foot. Why is there a hole and no screws, and not a No and only an 8 with screws on Ron's reel's foot?

[kyreels]

Why is there a hole and no screws, and not a No

Ron and I suspect the foot is filed and drilled for a wooden rod. We think it should have had a No 8. It is also possible that it is a replacement. If this is a trade reel, it may be that was how they fastened it, like some of the Carter reels. But the missing foot screws do make you wonder.

[Midway Tommy D]

Why is there a hole and no screws, and not a No

Ron and I suspect the foot is filed and drilled for a wooden rod. We think it should have had a No 8. It is also possible that it is a replacement. If this is a trade reel, it may be that was how they fastened it, like some of the Carter reels. But the missing foot screws do make you wonder.

Was there ever a No on those reels from that time frame?

[kyreels]

I just looked at my No 10 and No 11, and they both are marked exactly like this one, with the letters. Also the foot is brazed on both with no screws. Never noticed that I guess. So that foot is most certainly right, just filed.

[reelsmith.]

...since I’ve post this reel on sat evening my phone has not stopped

I wonder why ?

Congrats Doug. Awesome find.

Dean.

[m3040c]

Well Doug, you seem to have hit a Home Run!!