I just bought this little gem on Ebay. A hardy Sunbeam fly reel in the smallest size 23/4" with telephone latch and in war-time painted finish. Its from the second half of the 1940th. I guess, but from before 1949 when the Hardy Sunbeams got a centerscrew as spool-locker.
I actually didn´t buy this reel, for the reels sake but for the Hardy reel maker stamps inside, RR Robert Richardson reel maker at Hardys between 1938 and 1950. I din´t have this Hardy reel maker presented min my "stabel" so... When I got the reel I was very pleased, it was much better live than on the pictures, almost mint in the condition so that was great too. Hardy Sunbeams with a reel makers stamping are not often seen and I haven´t seen many Hardy Sunbeams with the telephone latch eighter so I think I did a great buy!
yes, sir i believe that is a great find. do you plan to fish it for the highest brown trout?
I was drawn to this reel a few weeks ago and bought it. I can only imagine that 125 (or so) years ago If I were in the Hardy retail outlet in Alnwick I would have looked at all the beautiful Perfect reels, shiny new fly rods and classy accessories. The bottom line is, I would have left the shop with this rather basic, plain and ordinary reel because it is what I could afford. Not much different from today.
I just bought this little gem on Ebay. A Hardy Sunbeam fly reel in the smallest size 23/4" with telephone latch and in war-time painted finish. Its from the second half of the 1940th. I guess, but from before 1949 when the Hardy Sunbeams got a centerscrew as spool-locker.
I actually didn´t buy this reel, for the reels sake but for the Hardy reel maker stamps inside, RR Robert Richardson reel maker at Hardys between 1938 and 1950. I din´t have this Hardy reel maker presented min my "stabel" so... When I got the reel I was very pleased, it was much better live than on the pictures, almost mint in the condition so that was great too. Hardy Sunbeams with a reel makers stamping are not often seen and I haven´t seen many Hardy Sunbeams with the telephone latch eighter so I think I did a great buy!
yes, sir i believe that is a great find. do you plan to fish it for the highest brown trout?
highest regards, jim w
No it will stay in the collection. A nice Hardy fly reel for sure but I don,t think a fly reel is just for storing the line. I prefer fishing with a more potent fly reel, ok often its not needed but when, I will be prepared so for me, the last twenty years Hardy the Golden Sovereign has been my reel for fishing. Tight lines ! // Steen
steen - that is the first one i have seen with that bar release instead of horseshoe latch
ultra cool examples - you have them
CFO VI
CFO V
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer
Brian, that first CFO in post above has a full frame, not as much in know as many on CFO reels but don,t think I,ve ever seen a full framed one,Rare,early or have I just not been paying attention. Thanks
Daryl
daryl - rare in numbers and early year of production maybe... gotta like that caged rim - durability
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What a great gift! Thanks to both Brit and Jay Edwards
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer
PYochim - what a score - won it in a drawing... wow! Free very nice reel!
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Here is a neat screwdriver that came with this magical new Hardy reel -
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer
What a funky example of genius checkwork - on off switch for instant additional pawl engagement
Eaton and Deller 4" swashbuckler
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer
About 10 years ago I bought a box lot of reels and asst bits at a flea market. I only wanted a Pflueger Gem in the box but the seller insisted I take them all. 8 or 9 reels in total. Total cost: $20. The Gem went on to see duty in northern Maine but the remaining reels went under the bench. Until yesterday. I was poking around for a reel to display with that old Chubb fly rod. I picked out this Meisselbach Rainbow. Its painted finish was ruined by what must have been a solvent. It was a dried old bubbly mess. Fortunately the plastic handle was untouched. The reel is functionally perfect and now, with a new look, it's kinda pretty, too.