Unknown Raised Pillar, Marbleized Fly Reel

[reeltackle]

Here is a new one on me and it is a beauty.

This raised pillar Marbleized salmon size fly reel measures 3 7/8 inches in diameter from pillar edge to pillar edge and 1 1/2 inches across the inside spool. The reel is professionally engraved - DR. P.S. REDFIELD - PROV. R. I. - A quick google search brings up Dr. P.S. Redfield's name in an 1875 article in "Rod & Gun" magazine concerning the Rhode Island Game & Fish Association passing a law against snaring on anyone's land other than their own. The search also produced a patent in 1894 under his name for a float and sinker attachment that Dr. Redfield devised (photo below).

Does anyone have any information about the maker of this reel? Thanks for any help you can give me on this one.

[reelsmith.]

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Sweet !

I wonder if he made it ?

Dean.

[kyreels]

Paul S. Redfield had 3 float-related patents. US188755 issued March 27, 1877 was for line attachments. US240611 in April 1881 was for the body of a float that could be opened to insert weights. The last patent as you noted was US514034 again for line attachments. This last one is more commonly found on artifacts, but Robin (my spouse and bobber collector) has examples of all types. As to the reel, I do not know.

[john elder]

Interesting reel! What strikes me is the use of pins, presumably to hold the side plates in the frame. Most makers put pins in from the sides rather than the face. It also suggests that the marbleized plates were not poured in the frames as a “mud”, like done with the Philbrook & Payne reels.

Ed, please pop that baby open and let’s see what the innards look like!

[reeltackle]

Here are some pictures of the innards.

[Midway Tommy D]

Looks like the reel could use a new handle retainer bolt?

[klonder]

The handle is absolutely stellar!!!

[reelsmith.]

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Wow ...that guy liked to use screws !

What do you think parts 1 and 2 do, other than raise the pawl so it contacts the click gear? I can't figure out why they are shaped the way they are.

Thanks for the peek inside !

Dean.

[Steve]

I'm with Dean. Could "1" soften the click?

[john elder]

I believe the click button is under #1, so that when it slides left (to right in this pic…), it spreads the wishbone (part 2) and that pushes the pawl out and away from the click gear. Pretty elaborate way to do what most makers did by just putting the screw directly through the click button and pawl!

[reelsmith.]

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Ed, is John on the right track? Seems plausible.

Can you show pictures with the click button in each position ?

Dean.

[john elder]

Note: i corrected a typo above… click button under part 1.

[reeltackle]

Yes, click button is under “1” and John is on point with his assessment of how it works, such a lever lad!