Endicott Wilson

Dr. Rob · Post by **Dr. Rob** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:33 am

I'm enamored by these reels. I don't know why really; I just became infatuated when I saw a picture of one. Wow. I even like the name; it evokes some sort of mysterious aura, conjuring up images of... idunno what.

These go on ebay sometimes. Like usual, i just missed one last week. Was it one of you guys who bought it?

I'd like to know more. Who was Endicott Wilson? And why make ocean fishing reels in Detroit? What else did he / they make?

And about the reels-- what are they like inside? Are they the same as the Dumont patent shows? They look different from the outside.

Hmm.

Dr. Rob · Post by **Dr. Rob** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:11 pm

Seriously? Nobody?

Nobody even want to guess, or maybe even just make something up?

fishbugman · Post by **fishbugman** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:55 pm

http://reeltalk.orcaonline.org/viewtopi ... t=endicott

Seems like there were a couple other threads with very little information.

Dr. Rob · Post by **Dr. Rob** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:44 pm

Yes, I guess a question like that sort of needed Randy Heller. As was earlier written, he is remembered well.

Oh well, maybe one day I'll come across an Endicott Wilson for myself.

(peculiar factoid: JD Salinger once wrote of a character with the same name.)

reeltackle · Post by **reeltackle** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:52 pm

The Endicott Wilson reel was made in the post war 1940s or 1950s by the Endicott-Wilson Corporation, 936 Lafayette Building Detroit 26, Michigan.

The reel came in 5 models which their advertising stated were - "5 Dumond Models". 4/0, 6/0 9/0, 12/0 and the 12/0 deluxe (which was a two speed 12/0).

The reel's uniqueness was its drag which was inside the arbor of the reel spool and expanded out to apply pressure when the drag lever was thrown. They claimed - "brake expands internally against the full length of the spool giving 4 1/2 times the usual braking surface."

I'm not positive of the date of manufacturer but I am sure it was in the post WWII period.

Nice reel, have had a chance to fondle them all.

Does anyone have one with a patent number?

Ed Pritchard

Jeff Johnson · Post by **Jeff Johnson** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:10 pm

I have a 6/0 with Patent 2,282,995 - Serial number 1338

reeltackle · Post by **reeltackle** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:26 pm

2,282,995 would indicate that the reel was patented on May 12, 1942 right in the middle of WWII. They probably came up with the idea for the drag during the war but were not able to produce the reel until the war ended. During the war the ban on using such materials for anything other than war related items would have precluded them from building them until after the war was over.

Endicott Wilson

Endicott Wilson

My Research On The Endicott Wilson Reel