Info on Bullard & Gormley Reels Needed For Article

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:52 pm

Hi,

Just finished a draft of a history of the Bullard & Gormley Co. of Chicago, and am looking for anyone who has any B&G marked items to get in touch with me as I want to see the variety of reels out there marked with this name. So far I have noted 12 different models, with variances among the models themselves.

These would be trade reels made by Shakespeare, Hendryx, Montague, and Winchester, ranging from tiny 40-yard double multipliers to a range of quadruples to musky and saltwater models. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Info on any other B&G marked fishing tackle.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd

Dale Noll · Post by **Dale Noll** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:53 pm

Doc,
How are these reels marked? With initials, or full name. Headlate, foot, tailplate? Are these nonlevelwind? Should I look for surf reels, or freshwater.

Dale.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:28 pm

The company clearly marked their trade reels "Bullard & Gormley, Chicago" in a semi-circle. Some of the names they used in addition to this are Green Lake, Grass Lake, Winona, Geneva, Delevan, and Leader. They are all non-level wind, and include both Musky reels and saltwater (I just picked up a nice 300-yard saltwater model). Pretty standard lline of 1891-1927 trade reels. Hendryx, Montague, Winchester, Meisselbach, and Shakespeare are the probable culprits as far as makers go.

I have been in touch with the great-grandson of one of the founders and he has a nice collection of reels, I know there are more out there in addition to mine (3) and his (6).

Dale, today I finished putting the final touches on the two pictures you sent me for the Thomas E. Wilson article. I think you will like the article a lot.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd

Dale Noll · Post by **Dale Noll** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:07 pm

Thanks Doc.
I have looked thru my stack, but didn't find any yet. However, there is a new book on eBay which has a section on Bullard & Gormley. See item
7191713153. I do not have this book but maybe Merv has a copy to check out any info re this section.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWA:IT

Merv. Do you have new book?

Dale.

Don Champion · Post by **Don Champion** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:47 pm

Dr. Todd
Do you need another photo of a Thos. E. Wilson reel? I have one made by Montague. It only has the one name on it. This is not the Powell.
Don Champion

Reelman · Post by **Reelman** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:01 pm

He has five pictures of the reel. Saying it is a Green Lake baitcasting reel. And says the rubber end plates were not made by this company. 80 yard nonlevel wind with jeweled end caps. And he found it in a Wisconsin Antique mall. He lists it at $150+. From the pictures I would say it is a Montague.

Merv
www.reelman.net

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 6:47 am

Thanks Merv,

Green Lake was one of B&G's most common reels. The last Green Lake I saw on eBay went for about $80.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd