Important research question!

[Jim Madden]

Does anybody know a reel company that would stamp a small, three-leaf clover on the headplate? It is the only link to a company involved in an experimental South Bend reel. It isn't Shakespeare, and there are no other marks. I'll be taking pictures of it in Milwaukee but would love to know who made it. Thanks, Jim M.

[Teal]

Hi Jim,

Hendryx stamped some metal lures with a clover. Drop me a pic and I'll compare it with a Hendryx spinner stamp (if I can find it).

Cheers,

Todd

[Jim Madden]

Todd, this is a prototype reel that was made in 1913. It is an 1131A reel made by someone other than Shakespeare. Len and I have incomplete reels a few serial numbers apart. His and mine are the only two marked ones that have been found. This is the reel (reproduced from an ad) that sits on the cover of my book. For some reason, SB elected not to use the company in question after only creating a few reels. This mystery reel is unmarked but is unmistakably the 2nd model 1131 that I cover in my book with references to Len's work. I never thought I would see a complete one. Those who saw it in Milwaukee (Bill Sonnet, Andy Foster, and Bill Muth) tend to think it was made by Heddon, but no one was sure. We were not allowed to take it apart, and we believe it had a the wrong handle knob. Below should be a pic of the clover, but I do not believe it is Hendrix. I thought the clover was just an identifying mark for the prototype.,I'm keeping my mind open, however. I'll see if I can post complete pics of the reel, but my pic posting has been hit or miss. No, I don't own the reel but may have a shot one day. Thanks for the help, Todd. Jim Madden

[Jim Madden]

[Jim Madden]

[Jim Madden]

[Steve]

Jim, by sheer coincidence I just sent this pic to Todd today. What do you think of the crank? It may have been made by a Chicago jeweler, ca. 1892 or after. Why do you guys think the knob on your reel is wrong?

[Jim Madden]

Steve, the handle and screw look like that of a Talbot Comet although the counterweight is stamped on rather than screwed. The crank screw also resembles that of the early Heddons or meeks. We know SB had good relations with those two companies at the time. Nothing is known of a Talbot connection. The screws of the two examples Len and I have are pointed and finely threaded. That could point to Heddon or Talbot, I'm told. None of the above had a handle knob like the one in the picture, correct? The reel was thrown together as an example. We think the knob may have been an add-on for the mockup. The foot markings of the parent company have been ground off. The knob could be a great clue, but it doesn't seem to fit everything else. Neither of our SB marked examples have a handle, but Len's has the exact nut. The 1913 ad shows the same handle with a Shakespeare-like knob. So many clues - very little conclusion.Jim

[Teal]

Hi Jim,

That is most definitely not the Hendryx cloverleaf marking, which is much more flowery. So I think that is a dead end. It has a Chas. Falch-type handle as Steve noted, so don't discount that either as a possibility. These were very high-end Kentucky reels that sold for more than a Meek during the same era.

Would love to crack it open and see what's under the hood. Might answer some questions?

Cheers,

Todd

[Jim Madden]

Thanks for following up on that, Todd, and Steve, I appreciate the pic. I may get permission to look inside, but it will take time. I'm having to deal with another collector who is working on his own deal with the owner. I'm once removed! I was just fortunate to get the pictures and happy that the thing exists just to look at. Jim

[clinton_beeler]

Hi guys,

If the foot markings were stamped in and then ground off then the metal is still compressed where the stamping occurred. A bit of acid (and I'm not sure which type) would reveal them.

Regards,
Clinton

[reels4me,member]

A most interesting thread, I would like to have it continue, especially if
conclusion is reached, in the 'RN'. Jack