The Terry reel foot, revisited by Edward Rassey

[Steve]

Here's a pic of the one-piece Terry foot, shown in an earlier message. These are usually fastened to the sideplates with 3 or 4 screws, and the upper edges of the upturned flanges are curved.



Here's a foot from a Rassey:



The Thunderbird Reel (Reel News, Nov., 2003) has the same stamped foot, but the flanges are press-fitted in the plastic sideplates instead of being bent upward.

All of which indicates that Rassey made at least 3 styles of reel, including the one recently sold on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3683359127), which looks as if it has the same pseudo-Terry foot.

[Reel Geezer]

Now lets not get carried away with modern versions of that foot. It was also used on Meisselbach SW reels, and on all their casting reels from the Flyer on... on Ocean City reels, etc. etc.

[Jack S]

I believe Mr. Rassey started out with a narrow steel foot that he riveted to the aluminum pillars. I guess this isn't really pertinent to Steve's initial posting, but just a little extra info on an unusual reel.


Jack S

[Steve]

Jack, it looks as if that Rasscal was making reels for awhile. Can you tell us more? For example, would you know if he had more than his Nov., 1954, patent?

Geezer, you've shown that Terry's sole is immortalized in the memories of his successors.

[Jack S]

I believe there could be another patent(s) issued to Edward. Every model 2500 that I have seen (the one with lucite head & tail plates) has been inscribed "PAT. PEND." They have been all non-level wind reels that have nothing at all in common with the level winding device shown in the Nov 1954 patent drawing that Steve found. However I also realize that the production models didn't always follow the prototypes to a tee either. So, your guess is as good as mine!

I wish I could tell you more about the Rassey reels, but I've not made any progress with his son. When and if I learn more, you guys (and gals) will be the first to know!

Jack