I was aware of two early Patents taken out by John Moscrop, one relating to a new method of construction for reels, the second for a device to slow the reel. What I could never understand was why the reel we know seemed to have no relationship with these patents, other than the cage and drum construction. Now I know.. Moscrop took out a third Patent in 1891 that covers the check, brake and distinctive handle of the reel that carries his name. THIS is the reel as manufactured, and I missed it completely!!
still stand by my assertion that the Moscrop reel is the first truly modern reel, and that the original models were made by a non-reel-making company, though part of that argument was based on the distinctive handle, - this can no longer apply as it was subject to the patent.
My thanks to John Stevenson at Thomas Turner who mentioned the patent in his excellent Blog.