The Quest for Adjustable Drag - The Ones That Got Away
While I was gathering the material for "The Quest for Adjustable Drag" I acquired a number of items that steadfastly refused to be identified. These are the "ones that got away". However despite not being able to find any identifying or supporting information for these items, they are still interesting, and I think they deserve to be shared here.
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Alex. Henry of Edinburgh
Alex. Henry was the first occupant of 22 Frederick Street in Edinburgh. Alex. Henry Snr. was a gunsmith regarded as one of the finest of the nineteenth century and the shop in Edinburgh was frequented by many of the century's more notable figures, Royalty, Indian Maharajahs and the shooting aristocracy. After his death in 1894 the business passed to his two sons, Alex. Jnr and his brother John, though neither chose to remain with the business, Alex Jnr. establishing his own operation on Leith Walk at around the turn of the century.
The Frederick Street establishment continued trading as Alex. Henry, though relocated to 18 Frederick Street and was eventually acquired by Alex. Martin, fishing tackle retailers of Glasgow, who were in turn absorbed into John Dickson and Son who still trade from 21 Frederick Street. (Ed. Ceased retail presence in Edinburgh late 2017 - details HERE)
This is a large and in some ways a very handsome reel. At 4" it's at the larger end of fly reels, usually characterised as "salmon reels". It is included here because it features an inventive and elegant adjustable brake in the form of an India rubber boss, recessed into the front face of the reel and adjusted by means of a knurled knob on the back. The reel spindle is hollow with the rubber boss secured by means of a "Chicago screw", a hollow threaded shaft engaged by a threaded shaft on the boss on the back of the reel. A simple lug prevents the rubber boss from rotating as the screw is tightened. What is intriguing is that the brake functions in much the same way as the published Moscrop patent (see The Quest for Adjustable Drag), but rather than relying on a spring to effect the tension, it is the natural pliability of the India rubber that serves this function. The reel is marked Alex. Henry and Co, a style which dates from after Alex. Henry Snr.'s death and was probably made at around the turn of the century. Interestingly it carries artisan marks of the kind associated with a Birmingham maker, though it is interesting to speculate that it might actually be the work of Alex. Henry Jnr. who had served an apprenticeship with Brazier's a noted gun makers in Wolverhampton and may well have acquired the Birmingham workshop practice of batch marking at that time, although it may simply be a Birmingham made reel. In terms of the individual history of the reel, the caliper spring has at some time been broken and a makeshift repair effected with the addition of a clock spring.
The Frederick Street establishment continued trading as Alex. Henry, though relocated to 18 Frederick Street and was eventually acquired by Alex. Martin, fishing tackle retailers of Glasgow, who were in turn absorbed into John Dickson and Son who still trade from 21 Frederick Street. (Ed. Ceased retail presence in Edinburgh late 2017 - details HERE)
This is a large and in some ways a very handsome reel. At 4" it's at the larger end of fly reels, usually characterised as "salmon reels". It is included here because it features an inventive and elegant adjustable brake in the form of an India rubber boss, recessed into the front face of the reel and adjusted by means of a knurled knob on the back. The reel spindle is hollow with the rubber boss secured by means of a "Chicago screw", a hollow threaded shaft engaged by a threaded shaft on the boss on the back of the reel. A simple lug prevents the rubber boss from rotating as the screw is tightened. What is intriguing is that the brake functions in much the same way as the published Moscrop patent (see The Quest for Adjustable Drag), but rather than relying on a spring to effect the tension, it is the natural pliability of the India rubber that serves this function. The reel is marked Alex. Henry and Co, a style which dates from after Alex. Henry Snr.'s death and was probably made at around the turn of the century. Interestingly it carries artisan marks of the kind associated with a Birmingham maker, though it is interesting to speculate that it might actually be the work of Alex. Henry Jnr. who had served an apprenticeship with Brazier's a noted gun makers in Wolverhampton and may well have acquired the Birmingham workshop practice of batch marking at that time, although it may simply be a Birmingham made reel. In terms of the individual history of the reel, the caliper spring has at some time been broken and a makeshift repair effected with the addition of a clock spring.
Cambridge "Pembroke" , Mrs. Hardings (Cambridge) Ltd.
This remarkable and mechanically complex reel was possibly intended for sea fishing but could equally serve as a fly reel. It is another 4" reel, with an unusual anodised finish - this finish is consistent as it matches that of the only other example I have seen of this reel in an auction catalogue. The reel is marked on the front face, "CAMBRIDGE "PEMBROKE"" and:
"PATENT APPLIED FOR
Mrs HARDINGS (CAMBRIDGE) LTD
CAMBRIDGE ENG"
So far I have been completely unable to trace the manufacturer. However, this doesn't make the reel itself any less interesting!
As I said at the top, this is a mechanically complex reel built around a robust but ingenious brake. Another quaint feature is that the reel is assembled "back to front" with the crank handle locating on what would first seem to be the back of the reel, ie, the back face of the reel frame. The brake mechanism consists of two substantial brake "shoes" that are pushed out against the inside face of the line drum by means of a tapered screw in a similar manner to the Baker Centabrake patents we have seen elsewhere. Where this reel differs is in having no conventional check pawl but rather a ratchet that prevents the drum from reversing. Sadly this pawl is missing from this example, so the reel mechanism cannot properly be proven (at least not until I can make a replacement).
"PATENT APPLIED FOR
Mrs HARDINGS (CAMBRIDGE) LTD
CAMBRIDGE ENG"
So far I have been completely unable to trace the manufacturer. However, this doesn't make the reel itself any less interesting!
As I said at the top, this is a mechanically complex reel built around a robust but ingenious brake. Another quaint feature is that the reel is assembled "back to front" with the crank handle locating on what would first seem to be the back of the reel, ie, the back face of the reel frame. The brake mechanism consists of two substantial brake "shoes" that are pushed out against the inside face of the line drum by means of a tapered screw in a similar manner to the Baker Centabrake patents we have seen elsewhere. Where this reel differs is in having no conventional check pawl but rather a ratchet that prevents the drum from reversing. Sadly this pawl is missing from this example, so the reel mechanism cannot properly be proven (at least not until I can make a replacement).
"Fideliter"
In some ways this reel doesn't belong here in the sense that the "adjustment" acts on the spring of a relatively conventional pawl and spring check, rather than a separate brake. This check adjustment is ingenious though and seems very similar to that of the Young's Beaudex series of reels, although the mechanism is concealed under a cover plate. What is more interesting is the addition of a very effective rim brake, set in the frame of the reel. This is supported by a very stout spring which keeps it clear of the spool edge unless pressure is applied, in which case it slows the spool very effectively.
This is an odd reel, clearly made by an accomplished manufacturer. The three-screw latch cover, well-finished frame and quality of components are testament to this, but I can find no information at all about a possible maker. The only information on the reel itself reads:
"FIDELITER"
37/16" REEL - No AFR1
BRIT PAT: APPLIED FOR
The word "Fideliter" is Latin it translates as "faithfully" which I suppose is the way you want a fly reel to perform. It is this use of Latin and something about the way the reel is made that lead me to think it may be Scottish in origin, but I cannot support that with any real evidence...
This is an odd reel, clearly made by an accomplished manufacturer. The three-screw latch cover, well-finished frame and quality of components are testament to this, but I can find no information at all about a possible maker. The only information on the reel itself reads:
"FIDELITER"
37/16" REEL - No AFR1
BRIT PAT: APPLIED FOR
The word "Fideliter" is Latin it translates as "faithfully" which I suppose is the way you want a fly reel to perform. It is this use of Latin and something about the way the reel is made that lead me to think it may be Scottish in origin, but I cannot support that with any real evidence...
So these are "the ones that got away". It is possible that in time more information will come to light, but even mysterious as they are, they are still interesting examples.