Australian Collectible Vintage Fishing Reels: A History Reference on ReeLpedia® by Bernard (Bernie) Ladd, 7/8/2009. Workshop-produced fishing reels, crafted by sagacious engineering technicians and tradesmen, have long been sought after by collectors, forming a fascinating era of Australian-made fishing reels.
Bendigo Victoria Ordnance Factory workshop thread line spinning reel -c 1940. All brass body, rotor, drum (spool) and drag knob. Rotor diameter 2 3/8''; gear housing length 2 7/8'', width 7/8''; horn handle; brass ambidextrous crank; bronze bearing bushes; ball bearing rotor; steel main gear; bronze worm gear; steel cam driven brass leg, level line drum operation; auto half bail arm of nickel plated steel. Highly engineered - possibly the first Australian factory-made thread line spinning reel. - Very Rare.
The J.W. Bourke designed and made Latrobe Valley Multiplying Game reel -c 1973. Machined from solid aluminium alloy bar. Side plate Diameter 5''; Spool width 3'' over all side plates frame width 4 1/2''. Multiple aviation grade ball bearing main shaft Needle roller bearing crank spindle; Dual drag discs - Lever cam drag system; 2:1 ratio. - Extremely Rare
John Bourke, a retired Tool Maker and a well-known fishing guru
from Lakes Entrance, Victoria. Presenting here his Bourke Aluminium alloy Game reel. Only 6 J. W. BOURKE game reels were made.
Bendigo Victoria Ordnance Factory workshop reel. Engineered look-alike of the Crouch reel -Era 1940s. Machined from Aluminium bar; hi-tensile gearing; adjustable clutch; free spool control; solid brass machined saddle seat. Very Rare.
Australian Collectable Antique Vintage Fishing Reels Historical Information & Reference, by Bernard (Bernie) Ladd, 10/9/2009.
A selection of five extremely rare old vintage thread-line spinning reels: Apoid, Vanguard Duck's Tail (Foot), Plum, and Lifetime Surf Reel.
APOID reel with original box.
Apoid Thread-line Casting Spinning Reel -C 1930.
Maker possibly Clive Staples for Alcock & Pierce, Melb, Vic. Aluminium alloy body, rotor & spool (drum); Half bail arm, Auto pick up. Bronze Crown main gear; stem-T saddle, Crank & knob of bronze. Extremely Rare.
Vanguard Duck's Tail Body, Also Known as 'Duck's Foot,' Casting Spinning Fishing Reel - Circa 1937. Maker Clive Staples for Alcock & Pierce, Melb, Vic. Cast Aluminium alloy body, Aluminium spool. Nickel plated brass handle knob; crank arm; Drag control & shaft housing. Half bail arm action; Bronze gearing; Ratio 3 : 1. Original box, user guide & spare spool. Extremely Rare.
VANGUARD Duck's Tail Body (Foot) Thread-line reel and original box.
PLUM reel with original box.
PLUM Duck's Tail Body Manual Line Pick-Up Thread-Line Casting Spinning Fishing Reel - Circa 1920.
Maker Clive Staples for Alcock & Pierce, Melb, Vic. Cast Aluminium body, Rotor, and crank arm. Bakelite handle knob & spool - Brass drag control. The letters PLUM are stamped in an oval circle on both sides of the reel and rotor back plate. Extremely Rare.
Unbranded PLUM Duck's Tail Body Manual Line Pick-Up Thread-Line Casting Fishing Reel - Circa 1920.
Maker Clive Staples for Alcock & Pierce, Melb, Vic. Cast Aluminium body, Rotor, and crank arm. Bakelite handle knob & spool - Brass drag control. Extremely Rare.
LIFETIME SURF REEL HISTORY.
The Lifetime thread-line spinning surf fishing reel is believed to have been created around 1950 by C & R Carthew, Moonta, South Australia. After a careful examination of the LIFETIME components, it became evident that the maker had invested much ingenuity and creative engineering thinking into the task of designing and producing casting moulds for the manufacture of the reel’s cast aluminium gear housing, rotor, crank handle, and it’s unique conical drag knob. The internal spindles are supported by sealed ball-bearing races, and the cast metal main drive gear is thoughtfully purpose-designed.
There is no doubt that the maker had in mind a mass production of the LIFETIME surf reel for the retail market, however, this plan sadly had never crystallised. There are three LIFETIME surf reels today, in existence, but it is pertinent to state that it is unknown as to how many reels were produced around 1950 before a decision was made to abandon the LIFETIME reel's full production. Why this decision was made, is yet another mystery. Ladd, B. 13/10/2021.
Lifetime Thread Line Spinning Surf Reel. Cast aluminium and metal body; four sealed ball-bearing races.
gear housing diameter 2 7/8''; rotor diameter 3 1/8''; drum (spool) width 1 13/16'', conical shaped clutch drag knob; manual pick-up line guide; die-cast aluminium crank; aluminium handle; cast metal straight bevel main gear, ball bearing supported; hardened steel straight bevel pinion gear; pinion spindle and rotor ball bearing supported; gear ratio 3 : 1; anti-revese pawl (dog); removable T saddle (foot) of aluminium; weight 642 grams.The Lifetime Surf reel C & R Carthew Box 116 Moonta dymo-taped to gear housing plate -c. 1950. Extremely rare.
REELPEDIA® QUICK LINK: Click the relevant reel pictured to see further detailed information.
Spinall reel.
Surfmaster Eildon reel.
Avey Wedgelock reel.
Clasmi reel.
Seamartin reel.
Wood fishing reel.
Alvey wood game reel.
Crouch folding handle
Capstan reel.
Halco reel.
Dawson fly reel.
Alvey game reel.
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