Reel ID needed

Jim Nedela · Post by **Jim Nedela** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:04 pm

I picked up an 1897 Hibbard Spencer Bartlett & Co catalog. It has a level wind reel called the Milwaukee Reel in it. Who made this reel and more importantly-I WANT ONE! Will try to post a pic from the catalog, thanks, Jim Nedela.

... 999108.jpg

reels4me,member · Post by **reels4me,member** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:29 pm

Neat reel Jim first one I`ve seen kind of reminds me of Shakespeare`s
model B. . . . wonder if ? Maybe Harvey the Shakesp. has an opinion on this ?

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:46 pm

Back,
Doesn't look like a "B" to me. The "B" had a double walled tailpate and had the click and drag adjustments on the rims. Of course, this is a drawing so it is hard to tell. At least the pillars are purdy!
"H"

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:11 pm

It's a Wheeler-McGregor, the reel with the first successful level wind, patented in 1894 by McGregor. Everyone has to get in line (so to speak).

Jim Nedela · Post by **Jim Nedela** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:58 pm

Steve, any chance you have one & can post some pix? Thanks, Jim.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:22 pm

Sorry, Jim, I'm still waiting in line. But there have been some pics in auction catalogs, eBay, etc., so someone will have some. Ron Gast did an article on the reel in Antique Angler, 1984. And he was kind enough to let me use a picture of his reel in Antique Fishing Reels, pg. 133.

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:15 pm

I found one at a gun show in Boise, Idaho, back in the 1970s. It was in a leather tackle box with a German silver Montague Kentucky style reel and a bunch of lures - Heddon, Creek Chub, etc. They guy wanted $100 for the box and contents. I tried hard to get him to drop the price, but finally relented and paid the full $100.

A few years later Malcolm Clark learned I had the reel and started working on me. It took about a years worth of offers before I finally traded him the reel. I received over $3000 in trade, which was way more than the reel was worth at that time, or even today. I admit that I miss the reel now and then, but I do still have several of the things Malcolm traded me.

There were lots of ads in magazines for the "Milwaukee Reel". Way more than for the "Wheeler & McGregor". Even though they were the same reel.

joe klaus · Post by **joe klaus** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:43 am

Jim:

I assume you got my email. If not, email me at .
joe klaus

Jim Schottenham · Post by **Jim Schottenham** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:47 am

Jim,
Ron Gast has a picture of a #3 size on his site, listed here:
http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?wheeler.html
As recently as the April 23rd, 2005 Lang's auction, an example sold for $1375.00 (lot #843).
A recent #4 size was offered on Ebay that I tracked for the auction report, #7205887794.
That should give you an idea of what to look for. Hope that helps!
Jim

Reel ID needed

Reel ID needed

HBS reel

This may help......