The address: 105 Victoria Street, Westminster, immediately told me it was Army & Navy Cooperative Society Limited. As I’ve never handling a brass winch before, I decided to have a fettle.
Sadly, the foot has been neatly filed down at some stage but everything else seemed original. Unscrewing the three pillars and foot was remarkably easy:
However, nothing, not even unscrewing the 2 screws in the central boss, allowed me to release the plate the winding handle is attached to and get to the ratchet mechanism.
Now, I don’t want to clean and polish such an old reel, I rather like the patina of old brass. I’ll probably simply put it on display but I do rather fancy giving her a try on one of my older rods with brass reel bands for a spot of stillwater float fishing. So, I wonder if anyone can help with a few questions:
1) Just how can I get to the ratchet mechanism to lubricate her?
2) Would strong braid backing work if I want to fill that deep spool enough to accommodate a hundred yards if mono?
3) Does anyone have any idea who made these winches for the Army and Navy? So far, all the winches with 3 pillars I have seen on-line have been Farlow’s or Hardy.
4) I’m assuming she is late 19th Century in date. As most look very similar, I assume that’s the closest dating that can be managed. Am I correct?
Many thanks,
Phil
