A quick glance at an older reel

[Stunt Fisher]

Looking for some advice from the seasoned collectors. Are there certain things you look for in a reel when searching for old reels? That is, if you only take a quick glance at an "older" reel can you tell if it really is old-old? Are there any certain clues, such as hardware used, crank handle shape or material, foot shape, or any other attributes? Take a look at the pics. Is this an old reel? How old would you guess? How do you know? And can you tell me if the darker color on the brass can be removed. This is my first "brass" reel and am not sure what I can do to clean it up. It's probably tempting to just say all this comes with experience and I just have to learn the old fashioned way. I'm really hoping some of you are willing to share some of your experience.

I am not looking for the value of the reel, or if it's rare or common, but I will read anything you might offer on the subject. I'm just trying to get an idea of what to look for when I see what might be an old reel.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Steve]

Dave, you have a classic ball-handle reel, so named because the crank's counterbalance is spherical. It's a type of what we call a New York-style reel, something made originally by New York City makers. It's a simple reel with no click, brake, or level wind...not even a removable oil cap on the tailplate. It's brass and rugged. The foot and crossbridge are a single casting. Reels of this primitive style were made at least from the mid-1830s until around the Civil War, although plenty of reel evolution had begun by then. Later reels were often plated with nickel (chrome only much later). While all this was going on, makers were also using German silver for more expensive reels. Later, they would be using hard rubber for some parts.

Cleaning/restoring it could be tricky. Does it work? It's missing 2 external screws, but we can't see what's inside. The foot is a bit mangled, but the other parts look okay. Consider an initial mild cleaning with warm, soapy water before deciding what else to do. Many feel that removing the patina from these oldies is a no-no. That dark color may be removable, but you don't want to end up with a hyperclean, polished finish. Nevertheless, you don't want further oxidation of the brass.

By the way, I'm tempted to say that much of what you ask comes with experience, which is three-fold: reading everything you can on the subject, handling a lot of reels, talking with many, many other collectors. The reading should include The Reel News, which ORCA members receive six times a year. It's chock full of info on all ages and styles of reels.

[Eric J]

The first thing i look at it the size snd length of the foot. The oldest reels will have seemingly long, square feet which had more to do with the reel seat on the rods of that period. This is why so many old reels have feet that are shortened, tapered, and thinned- so they would fit on more modern rods. Usually done with a file and rather crudely. Easy to spot a modified reel foot, as most of the handywork leaves the foot looking asymmetrical.
Philips head screws are also a dead give-away that the reel is not antique, or is antique with replacement screws.

[Stunt Fisher]

Thanks guys,

I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I have a handful of early to mid 20th century reels - Pfluegers and such. I had hoped to learn that my old brass reel was from early 1900's, I am pleasantly surprised to learn that this reel may be from the mid 1800's. I try to get all my reels back to working condition and use them if I get a chance. This old brass reel seems to work, but I haven't had it open yet to see what condition it's really in.

I do read what I can. I've been an ORCA member for a few months and have read the Reel News that I have received, I've ordered a few books from the ORCA bookstore, and I go to the local swap meets when I can. I watch this forum and learn what I can. One thing I've learned is this can be very expensive. And, as I've seen on this website, there's a lot of real cool stuff out there.

Thanks again!