An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

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seruga
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An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by seruga »

The logo is an early A&I with the "I" below the hook ends. There is a large number 23 engraved on the inside of the side plate. Inside the cover looks similar to a Crooke shown at the bottom of page 17 in the January 2009 The Reel News article written by Steven Vernon.
As to this reel, It appears that a brake spring is operated by the lever. The lever on the reel is not working properly. The assembly may be incorrect and some parts may be missing. It also appears the handle is missing a cap. Any ideas as to the age, manufacturer and proper assemble/parts inventory for this reel would be helpful.
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Midway Tommy D
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by Midway Tommy D »

Really difficult to guess without a couple of photos. :?:
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)

Tom DeLong, NE
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Steve
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by Steve »

We need some photos. Here is the original color version of the photo you refer to, which was taken by Jason Dennis. Many Crook reels have pillar nuts with two flat side, like these, and pinions with round holes, like this one.

I doubt that your A&I is a Crook, but with some photos, we may be able to ID the maker.

Steve Vernon
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Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
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Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
seruga
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by seruga »

here are a couple of images

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Steve
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by Steve »

"Generic"-looking reel, possibly J. vom Hofe or other maker. A pic of the A&I logo might help to date the reel.

Steve Vernon
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Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
seruga
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by seruga »

image of logo
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Steve
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by Steve »

Your logo is the earliest A&I logo, used from 1878 to ca. 1884. Here is an 1884 catalog illustration.

Mary Kefauver Kelly published a history of A&I logos in Forest & Stream, 1978, which was reprinted in Fishing Collectibles Magazine, Summer, 1992, and that was republished in the July, 2008, issue of The Reel News. She wrote that the second logo was introduced in 1883, so there you are.

Steve Vernon
ORCA Honorary member

Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
seruga
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Re: An early A&I reel - possibly a crooke design?

Post by seruga »

thank you for the information. Now that the age has been established, and a possible maker, are there any ideas on what the hole in the lever attaches to. It is evident that the spring brake presses against the inside of the spool and I would think the lever activates the spring brake but the hole in the lever is a mystery to me.
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