HEDSON, TAYLOR: Fishing Reel History & Reference Information, reeLpedia® by Bernard (Bernie) Ladd, 2013.
HEDSON Vintage Multiplying Revolving Drum Fishing Reel History:
The HEDSON Revolving Drum Multiplier is similar in appearance to the Unique Taylor fishing reel, which was the first Australian revolving drum multiplier reel designed and made in Sydney in the mid-1930s by R.R. Taylor Repetition Engineers Pty. Ltd. The maker of the Hedson reel (circa 1949) is unknown, but it is evident that the maker capitalized on the fact that the Unique Taylor design was not patent protected.
Only a limited number of HEDSON reels were produced. These included: the (Hn 1) Hedson All-Purpose model; (Hn 2) Model No.100, Hedson Super Cast with the plastic revolving drum bearing the Hedson name moulded into the spool; (Hn 3) Hedson Standard with an aluminum alloy body and spool; (Hn 4) Hedson Deluxe version with the body, spool, and gearing cover machined from Aluminum alloy Bar Stock; (Hn 5) Hedson anodized silver aluminum alloy, and (Hn 6) Hedson with anti-back lash drum brake configuration, with a plastic type drum. HEDSON fishing reels were available with two main spindle bearing options: ball bearings or sleeve (bush) bearings.
The multiplying models featured machine-cut gears, a check lever, a non-go back lever to prevent the crank handle from reversing, and a free spool lever for casting with automatic re-engagement of gears upon crank movement.
According to Craig Aitken, Fishing Tackle Guide, 1949, a non-multiplier HEDSON Model No.101 was produced, which was a direct-wind, un-geared version with a check mechanism only.
HEDSON All Purpose Revolving Drum Multiplier. Aluminium alloy back diameter, 4 9/16"; Aluminium alloy drum width 1"; spool face dia, 4 9/16"; pressed alloy gear cover anodised brown; bakelite handle knobs -c 1940s. Extremely Rare to find in Near Mint Condition . (Hn 1)
HEDSON Super Cast combined line guide and adjustable anti-back lash drum brake mechanism, revolving drum multiplier for use under the rod. Aluminium alloy body; back diameter 4 9/16". Plastic type (possibly Bakelite) drum width 1 1/4", diameter 4 1/4". Hedson moulded in the drum (spool) face; alloy gear mechanism cover anodised brown. -c 1940s. Rare. (Hn 2)
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HEDSON Standard Revolving Drum Multiplier. Machined from Aluminium alloy, silver anodised; back diameter 4 5/8"; drum (spool) width 7/8 "; spool face diameter, 4 1/2"; v plate anti reverse; v plate optional check; triangle lever free spool option -c.1940s. Very Rare. (Hn 3)
HEDSON De-luxe Revolving Drum Multiplier. Machined from aviation-grade Aluminium alloy bar stock. Back diameter, 4 9/16"; spool (drum) width 1 1/8"; spool face diameter, 4 3/16", Nickle plated star drag wheel; reel foot nickel plated brass; nickel-plated brass curved crank handle, other fittings also nickel plated brass; anti-reverse lever; optional check lever; free spool lever option. Weight of the reel 644 grams. -c. 1940s. Extremely Rare. (Hn 4)
HEDSON anodised silver aluminium alloy model. Brass fittings nickel plated; bakelite handle knobs (all models) back dia 4 5/8''; drum width 1 1/2"; anti reverse lever; optional check lever; triangle lever free spool option. c.1940s. Rare. (Hn 5)
HEDSON combined line guide and adjustable anti-back lash drum brake mechanism, revolving drum multiplier for use under the rod. Ball bearing model. Maker R.R. Taylor & Co., Artarmon NSW. Anodised Aluminium alloy body; pressed anodised Aluminium gearing cover, gear ratio 2 : 1; nickel-plated brass star drag wheel; separate free spool, anti-reverse and optional check levers, knurled inner spring tension dial. Plastic type (possibly Bakelite) drum width 1 1/4", diameter 4 1/4". Hedson moulded in the drum (spool) face; nickel-plated brass curved crank handle; erinoid handle knobs; nickel-plated brass foot. c. 1940s. Rare. (Hn 6)
TAYLOR Revolving Drum Multiplying vintage fishing reel models. Maker R.R. Taylor & Co. Artarmon NSW Australia.
TAYLOR Revolving drum multiplier for use under the rod. L H wind Sleeve bearing model. Maker R.R. Taylor & Co., Artarmon NSW. Aluminium alloy body and spool construction; gear ratio 2 : 1; nickel-plated brass star drag wheel; separate free spool, anti-reverse and optional check levers; Aluminium spool (drum) width 1 1/16", diameter 4 9/16"; nickel-plated brass curved crank handle; erinoid handle knobs; nickel-plated brass foot. Weight of the reel 656 grams. Original box, 3 spools (drum) sizes with spool nut removal tool.
c. 1940s. Extremely rare. (Tr 6)
TAYLOR Revolving drum multiplier for use under rod. Sleeve bearing model. Maker R.R. Taylor & Co., Artarmon NSW. Aluminium alloy body and spool construction; gear ratio 2 : 1; nickel-plated brass star drag wheel; separate free spool, anti-reverse and optional check levers; Aluminium spool (drum) width 1 1/4", diameter 4 9/16"; aluminium crank handle; ebonite handle knobs; nickel-plated brass foot. Weight 656 grams. The "Taylor" Reel Sleeve Bearing S & A Sydney marked (stamped) on the backplate c. 1940s. Rare with Box and manual. (Tr 7)
TAYLOR Revolving drum multiplier for use under rod. Ball bearing model. Maker R.R. Taylor & Co., Artarmon NSW. Aluminium alloy body and spool construction; gear ratio 2 : 1; nickel-plated brass star drag wheel; separate free spool, anti-reverse and optional check levers; Aluminium spool (drum) width 1 1/4", diameter 4 9/16"; aluminium crank handle; erinoid handle knobs; nickel-plated brass foot. Weight of reel 656 grams. The "Taylor" Reel Ball Bearing S & A Sydney marked (stamped) on backplate -c. 1950. Hard to find. (Tr 8)
TAYLOR four drum (spool size options; Certificate of inspection. Four images displaying two different box designs used for the Taylor reel. (Tr 9)
TAYLOR Revolving drum multiplier for use under rod., Ball bearing model. Maker R.R. Taylor & Co., Artarmon NSW. Aluminium alloy body and spool construction; gear ratio 2 : 1; nickel-plated brass star drag wheel; separate free spool, anti-reverse and optional check levers; Aluminium spool (drum) width 1 1/4", diameter 4 9/16"; nickel-plated brass curved crank handle; erinoid handle knobs; nickel plated brass foot. Weight of the reel 656 grams. The "Taylor" BEACH REEL and R. R. TAYLOR & Co ARTARMON N. S. W. marked (stamped) on the backplate. A scarce early Taylor marked 'Beach Reel' -c. 1940s. (Tr 10)
TAYLOR Sidecast Revolving drum multiplier for use under the rod. Sleeve bearing model, maker R.R. Taylor & Co., Artarmon NSW. Aluminium alloy body and spool construction; gear ratio 2 : 1; nickel-plated brass star drag wheel; separate free spool, anti-reverse and optional check levers; Aluminium spool (drum) width 1 7/8", diameter 4 1/2"; nickel-plated brass curved crank handle; erinoid handle knobs; raw brass curved hook turntable and line guide c. 1940s-50s. Extremely rare. (Tr 11) ReeLpedia® 30/5/2026
Above, slide image view of an original Taylor fishing reel Manual, featuring Sleeve Bearing and Ball Bearing models with specifications, schematics, and service instructions. Very hard to find an original example.
Taylor Craig &
Aitken ad 1959.
TAYLOR Folding Beach Fishing Rest Seat. Maker R. R. Taylor & Co, Artarmon, N.S.W. c. 1940s-50s Extremely rare. (Tr 12) ReeLpedia® 28/5/2026.
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