Crouch, Melbourne Fishing Reel History and Reference Information by Bernie Ladd, 2012.

C1

The Sportsman King -C. 1937. Made by Jack Crouch Sr. Distinctive original flat brass crank-handle. Stamped The Sportsman King on crank face side.

C 1

During the 1930s, Jack Crouch, instrument maker residing in Melbourne, made some fly reels in his fully equipped home-based workshop in Fairfield. His first Multiplier, that appeared -C.1937, was marked by its characteristic flat brass nickel-plated crank handle and a brass reel foot, threaded aluminium alloy removable sideplate; stamped on the crank face side THE SPORTSMAN KING. The aluminium alloy body was machined from solid stock bar, with a diameter 3, 7/16’’. A new CROUCH model produced later was branded J.T.CROUCH MAKER MELBOURNE. -C.1939.

The third version of the CROUCH Multiplier appeared in 1940.The dominant characteristic of this particular variant is its brass machined bar stock, removable threaded back side-plate and a folding crank-handle. Understandably Jack used brass as the material of choice, given that aluminium became scarce during the war . The 4th version was the same with one specific difference: The threaded side-plate was nickel-plated bronze. Then, there was the 5th version, which appeared after the war. Clearly, Jack has reverted to use of aluminium alloy, as it is evident in this particular reel’s body.Two unique identifying features of this version are: 1. The stamping of the CROUCH logo on both sides; and 2. The diameter of the reel is 3.5’’, which then became the standard diameter for all manufactured CROUCH reels. There are fourteen different versions of the CROUCH Melbourne multiplier fishing reel.The last model stamped “J T Crouch & sons Makers Melbourne”.

Reference verified by engineer Jack Crouch jr, senior of the Crouch brothers.

Stamped J.T. CROUCH MAKER MELBOURNE -C. late 1930. Bell shaped bearing housing. Bronze main gear, hardened steel pinion; gear ratio 2 : 1; Bronze bearing, 3-leg steel drum brake; free spool lever; spool control aperture. These specs became standard on all Crouch mutipliers.

C 2

Third version; removable threaded brass side plate. Folding crank.

Crouch Brass back fishing reel with Folding handle, Rare.

First Crouch box

C3

Brass back Crouch -C early 1940. Courtesy Richard Gully, Melb, Victoria.

Crouch fishing reel removable Brass and Bronze side plates.

Bronze

Brass.

 Fourth version. nickle plated bronze back (also produced unplated)

Crouch Folding Handel Rare Non-plated model,Crouch fishing reel. collectable Crouch, OLD FISHING Reels,Crouch reference information,

CROUCH Bronze back folding handlefishing reel.

C4

Stamped J T Crouch maker Melbourne, Diameter 3 7/16'', width 1 7/16. Aluminium alloy body, Brass saddle -C early 1940.

Extremely Rare un- plated. model, version 5.

C5

Also produced silver anodised

Recently Found Folding Handle Crouch, Aluminium Alloy RARE Un-plated model. maker Jack Crouch, Melb -c. mid 1940.

Version 6 first Aluminium threaded removable back plate.

Melbourne Crouch version

7.Cast alloy nickel plated

flat curved crank.

Crouch fishing reel information

CROUCH folding handle stamped Melbourne Crouch on both side of the reel.

Folding crank

C6

Crouch Melbourne model with original box & specification guide booklet.

C7

Second version box.

Stamped J T Crouch maker Melbourne on both sides, Diameter, 3 1/2'', width, 1 7/16'' Brass saddle -C mid 1940.

J T Crouch maker Melbourne, stamped.

optional check. Specs, as model 6 -C mid 1940.

Crouch Melbourne makers Brand image.

Version 8, first Melbourne J T Crouch & Sons model.

Similar specs to previous Crouch reel. Rare crouch. reeLmanAustralia.com

Crouch reel stamped J. T. Crouch & sons.

C8

Stamped J.T. Crouch & Sons Makers Melbourne, Brass barred spool,nickel platedcast Aluminium flat curved crank, brass saddle -C late 1940.

Melbourne Crouch & Sons version 9

Crouch reel with box in mint condition,stamped J. T. Crouch & sons.

C9

Crouch Mint example with original box. aluminium barred spool, arbour & saddle brass; Crank handle same as model 7 -C late 1940.

Melbourne Crouch & Sons version 10 First tapered crank.

Crouch fishing reel, curved crank-handle modle.

C10

Stamped J. T. Crouch & Sons.Tapered cast Aluminium anodised crank, Brass saddle, Aluminium barred spool & arbour.

version 11, Last Melbourne Crouch & Sons tapered handel knob variant.

Crouch fishing reel with new design aluminium crank-handle.

C11

Stamped J.T. Crouch & Sons Makers Melbourne. Cast Aluminium anodised crank, Tapered handle knob, Aluminium barred spool & arbour; Aluminium saddle -C 1949.

Melbourne Crouch later box.

C12

Melbourne Crouch reel box second version.

Note also used for early Dunolly made reels.

Crouch fishing reel reference information,old crouch reels,vintage crouch reel,Crouch antique fishing reel,Crouch,Australian fishing reels,old reels,B Ladd,Australian collectable fishing reels,melbourne crouch,Dunolly crouch,folding handle crouch for sale, crouch ,Jack Crouch history information,crouch 77 fishing reel, old fishing reels,Crouch Sportsman king,Library reference,bronze back crouch,fishing historian,

1- CROUCH reel side plate removal Tool

 CROUCH side plate removal tool. Extremely rare.

Melbourne Crouch fishing reel R A page 6.

reeLman Australia ®

Crouch fishing reels, Reelman's rare reels. Crouch page 6 Copyright © 2009-2020, reeLmanAustralia.com