Ogden Smith London single action fly reel: new price

[Richard Lodge]

A nice little RHW Ogden Smiths London single action fly reel, 2 3/4" in diameter, a nicely shaped handle, quite a bit of finish remains, brass foot. This is a great little user or collector fly reel. $140 shipped in the US. * See note below that indicates this is likely a reel made by J.W. Young.

[Paul M]

I believe that grasp style indicates it is the Exchequer model made by JW Young. Black paint vs leaded finish differentiate between pre-war and post-war production.

[Richard Lodge]

Thanks, Paul. can you put a date range on when it was made or sold?

[Paul M]

Ogden Smith’s 1932 catalog page 18 says the exchequer pattern was developed nearly 40 years prior which is 1892-ish. Based on internet chatter the finish change happened in the early 1940’s. That’s the extent of what I think I know LOL.