Barn Find - Coxe Reels
- Deepfins791
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Barn Find - Coxe Reels
I purchased this pair of 9/0 Coxe reels from a contractor who acquired them from the owner of a house he was remodeling. The owner of the house was a descendant of a gentleman by the name of Samuel B. Mosher. Mr. Mosher was a fruit grower on the coast of California, who risked it all on a wildcat oil well soon after oil was discovered off the beaches of Goleta, CA. He struck black gold, and in 1922 he founded the Signal Oil and Gas Company, which he turned into a large corporation. His life was chronicled in the book, Little Giant of Signal Hill: An Adventure in American Enterprise. Mr. Mosher was a member of the famed Catalina Tuna Club.
These reels were purchased by Mr. Mosher, and were never used. They were stored in a garage for nearly a century, where they acquired a layer of "barn detritus" and a patina from the coastal salt air. The original price tags still hang from the reels.
The price of $400 on the “no-screw” reel matches the list price for a 9/0 Featherstone Special Broadbill reel in the early 1925 Coxe catalog. The price of $300 for the 9/0 “screwed” Swordfish-Tuna reel is more than the $150 listed in the catalog. This reel has a 3.75” spool width, which I believe might be a special-order wide version of the 9/0. That might explain the extra cost.
In today’s dollars, this pair of reels would cost over $11,000. Ouch!!
Cheers,
John
These reels were purchased by Mr. Mosher, and were never used. They were stored in a garage for nearly a century, where they acquired a layer of "barn detritus" and a patina from the coastal salt air. The original price tags still hang from the reels.
The price of $400 on the “no-screw” reel matches the list price for a 9/0 Featherstone Special Broadbill reel in the early 1925 Coxe catalog. The price of $300 for the 9/0 “screwed” Swordfish-Tuna reel is more than the $150 listed in the catalog. This reel has a 3.75” spool width, which I believe might be a special-order wide version of the 9/0. That might explain the extra cost.
In today’s dollars, this pair of reels would cost over $11,000. Ouch!!
Cheers,
John
- john elder
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
What an incredible find, John! Glad you were standing in the right spot! Congrats on the rescue!
john
john
ORCA member since 1999
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Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
- RonG
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Those are beautiful reels with a great patina showing their age.
Ron Gast
https://reelsnlures.com
https://reelsnlures.com
Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Oh my, that’s an incredible find even without the incredible history. Those 1925 prices are steep, indicating the hours of skilled labor required. The Great Depression was about to begin 4 years later.
Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Mike N
Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Mike N
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Awesome find and story, thanks for sharing and congratulations!
Wanted: Horton, Bristol & Meek reels, reel boxes, and catalogs!!!!
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Nice find John!!!!!!!
- Deepfins791
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
I wish I could take complete credit for this purchase, but it was Randy Pauly who put the seller in touch with me. I owe Randy a steak dinner.
Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Pretty Work John ! Glad you got them.
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Beautiful reels John! That’s only the 3rd example of the wide spool I’m aware of! I’ve owned 1 and the other was in Wayne J. collection! Tight lines Nick in NY
Wanted Ultra rare salt water reels including big game as well as unknown rare surf reels!
- reeltackle
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Great reels John, and with their price tags too! My appreciation of Coxe reels made in L.A. grows stronger every year, he made the best big game reels in the late teens throughout and twenties.
Here is one from my collection that you can add to your list Nick, only this extra-wide model measures 4 inches across the inside spool.That’s only the 3rd example of the wide spool I’m aware of! I’ve owned 1 and the other was in Wayne J. collection!
Ed Pritchard
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"Reels As Big As Your Head" Always looking for BIG game reels and anything else that might go along.
http://www.AntiqueFishingReels.com
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Honorary Life Member
"Reels As Big As Your Head" Always looking for BIG game reels and anything else that might go along.
- Deepfins791
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- reeltackle
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Beautiful job of cleaning them up John. A pair of unused Coxe reels that are either just under, or just over, 100 years old, now that’s really something! Don’t forget to put the price tags back on.
Ed Pritchard
http://www.AntiqueFishingReels.com
ORCA Charter Member "First Paid Member"
Honorary Life Member
"Reels As Big As Your Head" Always looking for BIG game reels and anything else that might go along.
http://www.AntiqueFishingReels.com
ORCA Charter Member "First Paid Member"
Honorary Life Member
"Reels As Big As Your Head" Always looking for BIG game reels and anything else that might go along.
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Can you tell me what book is showing here that show the Coxe reels
Collect mostly Ky style reels; Meek, Heddon, Horton, Pflueger Redifor and Worth, etc.
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- Deepfins791
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- kyreels
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Re: Barn Find - Coxe Reels
Wow, love the provenance.
Matt Wickham
Collector of Casting Weights, KY Reels and KY Tackle
Collector of Casting Weights, KY Reels and KY Tackle