Climax and Hartsport Australian Vintage Fishing Reels — Information. reeLpedia® page 27 — by Bernie Ladd, 2013.
C L I M A X F I S H I N G R E E L H I S T O R Y
The Climax bakelite reel was produced for Hartleys Pty Ltd, a large Australian retail and wholesale company specialising in fishing tackle, as well as the manufacture and supply of sporting goods. Although the maker of the reel is not definitively confirmed, there is strong evidence suggesting that it was developed and manufactured by H. B. Chalmers Pty Ltd, Melbourne.
Some reels are marked on the inside of the backplate with the insignia “H.B.C.”, accompanied by a patent number (1869) and a specific date (for example, 29/4/1931). Earlier models, however, do not display a patent number or manufacturing date. The markings found on later models closely resemble those applied by Stewart and Allwood Pty Ltd to their Steelite reels. It is therefore not surprising that some Climax reels also carry S&A markings alongside the patent number, date, and H.B.C. insignia.
H. B. Chalmers Pty Ltd were specialist plastic moulders, known for manufacturing bakelite Nottingham reels, and it is evident that the Climax range formed part of their production. Available evidence—present on some examples—also strongly suggests that Chalmers utilised moulding dies supplied by Stewart and Allwood Pty Ltd.
Climax Nottingham reels typically comprise a bakelite spool and backplate, fitted with brass components, which in some cases are nickel-plated. Certain models were produced with either optional or fixed check mechanisms. The “Climax” name was consistently moulded into the outer backplate, although the diameter varies between models.
A notable rarity within the range is the Climax threadline casting reel. This model features an alloy body, bakelite spool, brass handle crank, star-shaped drag control, a non-bail arm configuration, and a gear ratio of 3 : 1. While Chalmers designed and manufactured the spool, the rotor and body concepts appear to have been influenced by the English Hardex reel.
Featured below are images of the manual and half bail arm Climax threadline reels, along with six different Climax Nottingham models, including a Climax Bakelite Fly reel. Each is illustrated with detailed images and accompanying technical specifications.
Climax Threadline reel Manual Line Pickup model (Cx 1)
CLIMAX Threadline Spinning reel Manual Line pickup model. Hartleys Melbourne vic. Aluminum alloy body, Bakelite drum (spool), brass crank handle, Ebonite handle knob, Bakelite spool mounted drag clutch, gear ratio 3 : 1. Climax Reg. - On - Off -Casting Reel moulded in relief in drum (spool) face. -c 1934. Very rare. (Cx 1)
Climax Threadline reel Half Bail arm model (Cx 2)
CLIMAX Threadline Spinning reel Half Bail arm action model. Hartley's Melbourne vic. Aluminum alloy body, Bakelite drum (spool), brass crank handle, Ebonite handle knob, Bakelite spool mounted drag clutch, gear ratio 3 : 1. Climax Reg. - On - Off - Casting Reel moulded in relief in drum (spool) face. -c 1934. Extremely rare with box. (Cx 2)
Climax Four inch Bakelite X back Nottingham (Cx 3)
Climax X back Bakelite 4" Nottingham, manufactured by H.B. Chalmers, for Hartleys Melbourne vic. Backplate diameter 3 3/4", Drum (spool) width 1 7/16". Ambidextrous brass sliding line guide, Nickel plated cast brass saddle (foot), optional check. CLIMAX moulded in relief on backplate - C early 1930. Very rare. (Cx 3)
Climax Four inch Bakelite Plain back Nottingham (Cx 4)
Climax Bakelite 4 inch Nottingham, manufactured by H.B. Chalmers, for Hartleys Melbourne vic. Backplate diameter 3 3/4", Drum (spool) width 1 7/16". Sliding line guide, Nickel plated cast brass saddle (foot), optional check. All metal components Nickel plated brass. CLIMAX moulded in relief on backplate - C early 1930. Rare in mint condition (Cx 4)
Climax Bakelite Fly reel Optional Check model (Cx 5)
Climax Bakelite Fly reel. Backplate diameter 2 7/8''; drum (spool) width 1"; optional check; Raw brass fittings. Bulbous black erinoid handle knob.CLIMAX moulded in relief on backplate -c 1932. Rare. (Cx 5)
Climax Bakelite Fly reel Non Optional Check model (Cx 6)
Climax Bakelite Fly reel. Backplate diameter 2 7/8''; drum (spool) width 1"; Non optional check; brass saddle (foot) rivet embedded in the backplate; raw brass fittings. Bulbous black erinoid handle knob.CLIMAX moulded in relief on backplate -c 1932. Rare. (Cx 6)
This Historical Climax Bakelite Nottingham reels information is a work in progress and completed soon.
Climax bakelite nottingham.. Diameter 3 3/8"; spool (drum) width 1"; brass fittings nickle plated constant check -c 1930. Hard to find. (Cx 6)
Climax bakelite nottingham.C.1931. Optional check; brass fittings; Back diameter 3 3/8''; spool (drum) width 1'' -c 1931. Rare. (Cx 7)
Last Climax bakelite Nottingham modal made. Back diameter 3 3/8'' ; spool (drum) width 1'' ; optional check; Brass fittings. Line guide and saddle (foot) riveted -C Late 1930. Rare. (Cx 8)
Hartsport Bakelite and Metal Nottingham Reels
Manufactured by H.B. Chalmers, Melbourne, VIC, for Hartley’s – c.1932. reeLpedia® | 15 April 2026
H.B. Chalmers, a Melbourne-based firm, specialised in plastic moulding and is recognised as a key manufacturer of house-brand Bakelite Nottingham reels for a range of Australian fishing tackle wholesalers and retailers during the 1930s.
Examples of Chalmers’ production include Bakelite drum (spool) components for the Ebro brand (Rogers Bros., 1930s), the Pacific brand reels for Oxley Bros. in the early 1930s, and the Hartsport range produced for Hartley’s from around 1932. Other reels attributed to Chalmers include the Rainbow—a Bakelite revolving-plate reel—and the Climax, a Bakelite Nottingham pattern.
The Climax brand remains somewhat enigmatic. It appears regularly in Hartley’s catalogues throughout the 1930s, associated with both Nottingham and threadline reel types. Some Nottingham examples bear the initials “HBC” moulded inside the backplate, together with “S&A” initials and a patent number; in other cases, only the “S&A” marking is present. This variation suggests that H.B. Chalmers may have been the manufacturer, utilising dies made available by Stewart & Allwood. Similar “S&A” markings are also found on the Duperite reel, another Hartley’s house brand.
Featured below are three Hartsport Bakelite Nottingham models: the 4½-inch, 4-inch, and the smaller 3½-inch version, each illustrated with detailed images and accompanying technical specifications.
Hartsport 4 1/2 inch (Ht 1)
Hartsport Bakelite and Metal Nottingham, made for Hartley's by H.B. Chambers, Melbourne vic. Diameter 4 1/2"; ventilated spool (drum) width 1"; semi-shrouded frame width 2". Bulbous black erinoid handle knobs; optional check; brass fittings nickel plated; cast brass nickel pated saddle (foot) embedded in the frame. Hartsport in relief moulded in backplate. Note: also manufactured with Canvas impregnated Bakelite -c 1932. Rare - hard to find undamaged . (Ht 1 )
Hartsport 4 inch (Ht 2)
Hartsport Bakelite and Metal Nottingham, made for Hartley's by H.B. Chambers, Melbourne vic. Diameter 4"; ventilated spool (drum) width 1 1/2"; semi-shrouded frame width 1 7/8". Bulbous black erinoid handle knobs; optional check; brass fittings nickel plated; cast brass nickel pated saddle (foot) embedded in the frame. Hartsport in relief moulded in backplate Note: also manufactured with Canvas impregnated Bakelite -c 1932. Rare - hard to find undamaged. (Ht 2 )
Hartsport 3 1/2 inch (Ht 3)
Hartsport Canvas impregnated Bakelite and Metal Nottingham, made for Hartley's by H.B. Chambers, Melbourne vic. Diameter 3 1/2"; ventilated spool (drum) width 1 1/4"; semi-shrouded frame width 1 1/2". Bulbous black erinoid handle knobs; optional check; brass fittings nickel plated; cast brass nickel pated saddle (foot) embedded in the frame. Hartsport in relief moulded in backplate -c 1932. Rare - hard to find undamaged. (Ht 3 )
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