I recieved a 3 1/8" Hardy Uniqua today that I had won on the big auction site for relatively small money.
The reel has a few characteristics that make me wonder WHAT EXACTLY I have been sent.
My hope is that some of you knowledgeable Hardy experts may be able to bring light into that darkness.
As you can (now) see on the Photos the reel has a horse shoe latch and an ivorine handle. The spool is marked "Hardy Bros. Ltd. Alnwick" and "Patent Uniqua Reel" in a circular band between handle and latch. So far, so good.
The back of the reel does not have any script but might have been sanded down at one time(?)! It holds a smooth brass foot mounted with 4 screws, unfortunately filed down heavily on one! side.
Inside the reel there is the check mechanism, which is of the bridged type, with a spring above the check. Allthough the rest of the reel looks like it has had an old time leading polished away, it appears that the inside of the frame was painted or enamelled?!?
What I find most confusing is that below the initials "WS", there is a tiny little circle with "AB" inside. My Hardy book now tells me that the former initial should refer to a Wilf Sinton (1929-1939), the latter to Alfred Broadley (1893-?). I shouldn´t forget to mention that there is a "2" stamped in between but a little higher than the letter W and S, formerly mentioned.
From what I have read, I would have assumed that the reel should actually have been made in the very early 1900´s. This could fit the Alfred Broadley period. The again it should be earlier than 1929, so made before Mr. Sinton entered the company.
Could it be possible that it was originally made by Broadley and then refinished by Sinton sometimes in the 1930´s? Perhaps even involving some sort of painting job on the reel that has only survived on the inside of the cage???
I would much appreciate any hints to what I might have in hand here. I am a little nervous that the reel might have been assembled from parts of different period reels and could imagine to return it to the seller then. On the other hand the spool fits the frame like a tee which I find hard to imagine for a "Frankenstein" history.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Andy
The reel has a few characteristics that make me wonder WHAT EXACTLY I have been sent.
My hope is that some of you knowledgeable Hardy experts may be able to bring light into that darkness.
As you can (now) see on the Photos the reel has a horse shoe latch and an ivorine handle. The spool is marked "Hardy Bros. Ltd. Alnwick" and "Patent Uniqua Reel" in a circular band between handle and latch. So far, so good.
The back of the reel does not have any script but might have been sanded down at one time(?)! It holds a smooth brass foot mounted with 4 screws, unfortunately filed down heavily on one! side.
Inside the reel there is the check mechanism, which is of the bridged type, with a spring above the check. Allthough the rest of the reel looks like it has had an old time leading polished away, it appears that the inside of the frame was painted or enamelled?!?
What I find most confusing is that below the initials "WS", there is a tiny little circle with "AB" inside. My Hardy book now tells me that the former initial should refer to a Wilf Sinton (1929-1939), the latter to Alfred Broadley (1893-?). I shouldn´t forget to mention that there is a "2" stamped in between but a little higher than the letter W and S, formerly mentioned.
From what I have read, I would have assumed that the reel should actually have been made in the very early 1900´s. This could fit the Alfred Broadley period. The again it should be earlier than 1929, so made before Mr. Sinton entered the company.
Could it be possible that it was originally made by Broadley and then refinished by Sinton sometimes in the 1930´s? Perhaps even involving some sort of painting job on the reel that has only survived on the inside of the cage???
I would much appreciate any hints to what I might have in hand here. I am a little nervous that the reel might have been assembled from parts of different period reels and could imagine to return it to the seller then. On the other hand the spool fits the frame like a tee which I find hard to imagine for a "Frankenstein" history.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Andy
