More about a Meisselbach EXPERT No. 22

[SB1000]

I recently purchased a Meisselbach EXPERT No. 22. I am new to reel collecting and randomly acquired this reel. Just wanting to know more about this reel. The only markings I can see are the Expert No. 22, the Pat. Jan 14 96, and maybe a Pat'd Feb....(?). Overall the real is a little rough but seems to spin well. Below are some photos.









Thanks in advance.

-S

[Roger Schulz]

The Expert No. 22 was in production between 1889 and 1919, based on catalog listings. It was made by A.F. Meisselbach and Bro. It has three patents: Feb 23 '86, Feb. 5 '89 and Nov. 3 '91. It is different from the Expert No. 21 since it no longer has a pin drag on the tail plate. It usually has a covered click or open click. It is advertised for lake trolling or saltwater fishing. An option was a detachable thumb drag attached to a side pillar. It is a 200-yard reel. The reel has a value in good condition of $125 to $175.

ORCA member Dave Corbin found a transitional reel from the Expert 21 to the Expert 22. That reel had an open click but was an Expert No. 21. I am doing a display at the September ORCA convention on the transition of the Expert No. 21 to the Expert No. 22. I will also have an article probably in the November issue of the Reel News on the transition.

Feel free to call me if you have additional questions.

Roger Schulz

[SB1000]

Roger,
Thanks for the response, but how does the real I have fit your response. My reel is marked a no. 22 bit has a later patent date on the pillar. Is this a frankenstein reel ( two different reels that were put together at a later date). Are there two patent dates?

I'll definitely be reading the reel news for your transition article.

Thanks for the help.

Scott

[SB1000]

I answered on om my questions the reel is marked Nov. 3rd. 91 on the spool but Jan 14th 96 on the pillar. Is this normal?

[Roger Schulz]

Nothing unusual. The patent date was probably added later in the production of the Expert 22 reel. The Jan. 14, '96 patent is for the Allright reels Meisselbach began producing in 1895. It just means that your reel was made a little later in production. They often put additional patents on the flat pillars. I just looked at one of my Expert No. 22 and it has that patent date on the click cover on the tail plate. Your reel appears fully correct to me.

Roger