The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I recently came across this very early Nottingham Reel

Believed to be Circa 1880, is my most vintage item of tackle

It is 3" diameter 3/4" spool width, it has an iron strap back & foot (not brass), lovely shaped bone handles, and it spins very freely without wobble, which is just amazing after all these years

If these early Nottingham reels interest you, I can recommend Stefan Dumas book "Men of the Trent"

Reely nice! Not seen an iron strap before. I guess this is an artisan made reel, the fact that it spins so well after all these years is testament to the skill of its creator?
Will you use it?

Jeremy Croxall wrote: ↑Thu Aug 09, 2018 8:04 pm Reely nice! Not seen an iron strap before. I guess this is an artisan made reel, the fact that it spins so well after all these years is testament to the skill of its creator?
Will you use it?

Thanks Jeremy, they were made by skilled Nottingham reel makers.
I will give it a run out, I always try and use everything I buy at least once.

That's a cracker Paul! Those handles are beautiful.

Very nice indeed especially those handles and a lovely patina too.

Those handles are special . I bet the reel could tell a few stories .

Paul, I have an identical reel to this one! I was told that it was late 19th century?

Well there we go two reels and in my opinion part of a production run of some sort.

Is the drum plate chamfered on both models?

Stef

StefanDuma wrote: ↑Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:17 am Well there we go two reels and in my opinion part of a production run of some sort.

Is the drum plate chamfered on both models?

Stef

I forgot to add that my reel is only a little over two and a quarter inches wide and I was told that it was known as a 'boy's reel.' Is my drum plate "chamfered" Stef? Also on the inside of both parts of the reel is a number 3 in pencil, lovely!

StefanDuma wrote: ↑Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:17 am Well there we go two reels and in my opinion part of a production run of some sort.

Is the drum plate chamfered on both models?

Stef

That is amazing Ted, a cute little reel

I am not sure if my drum plate is chamfered, as I don't know what to look for, I have added another photo