Julius Vom Hofe, #3, 2 ½” Fly Reel Restoration

[Ghstrydr164]

Julius Vom Hofe, #3, 2 ½” Fly Reel,  Before Cleaning:


 The Fly Line was one solid hard mass.  It required many soakings and removal of one
brittle layer at the time.
Julius Vom Hofe, #3, 2 ½” Fly Reel,  After Cleaning: 


 

There is a chip on the front face plate that I may or may
not fill.  I have a HR rear plate from
the same model reel that I could use to make the fill with if I decide to fill
it, or I may just leave the handle in the position that hides the chip.  I’ll stew on that for a while. 

[Tonytoned]

Wow! That is an excellent transformation from its original condition. I would assume this is the type of fly reel you would use when you go and wet a line?

[Silfield]

Lovely looking reel and what a difference you have made to it
As it is a Julius and not an Edward it must date somewhere around 1880 to 1900? I bet it could tell a few tales. Not too many on this side of the pond and the examples that do crop up tend to have a healthy price tag on them.
I have a small collection on fly reels but always lusted after a Vom Hofe, nearly brought one about 15 years ago but found out that I was going to be a father and that sort of scuppered those plans!
Welcome to the forum.

[JW1]

Looks superb, I know what you mean about stewing over that little chip, and you already know the anwer.

JW

[Wallys-Cast]

Excellent result Cyrus. Well done.

How would you normally repair the chip, cut a piece to fit in or make some filler out of an old side plate maybe.

Wal.

[Liphook]

Very nice and no doubt extremely desirable! Out of interest what sort of money do they fetch in the USA these days?

[Duebel]

That is a lovely reel indeed! And what a fabulous job you've done there!

[Dave Burr]

What a transformation - great work.

[Reedling]

Superb work, you would not think it was the same item. 'Reel' craftsmanship.

[CrayCane]

Great job on this restoration
Pete