Vintage Fishing Reels

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Right-hand wind.  Built around 1956.

This reel belonged to my father – he bought it in the early 1960’s from a fishing friend that had fallen on hard times and needed the money.  His friend had owned it from new and had made some use of it but I don’t know anything about the reels provenance, in terms of rivers fished etc, prior to it coming into my fathers ownership.  It looks almost new so I believe that the Altex 2 (that I also have for auction) was the first choice both for the original owner and my dad.

We originally lived in the West of Scotland but spent our summer holidays in the North East of Scotland but we are predominantly fly-fisherman so although the reel came with us for a number of weekends plus a full week or so each year until about 1968, it really has not seen much use.  After that we moved to the South of England but still kept going North for family holidays until the early 1980’s although our weekend fishing trips were much less frequent after we moved south.  In terms of waters, this reel will have been used (with the Palakonia Wanless rod that I am also selling) as a back-up on those days when a fly was not working – it will therefore probably have been used on the Deveron, the Lossie, the Spey, the Tweed, the Stinchar, the Border Esk and, possible latterly, the Hampshire Avon.  Since our family fishing holidays stopped in the early 1980’s the reel has been stored in its original bag and kept indoors, in clean, dry conditions.

The reel is in very good condition – the original ebonite handles are lovely, the internals still seem strong and the reel was kept lubricated during its long spell in storage.  It comes with an original reel bag together with the original manual and spanner and the original oil bottle (which is empty).  The reel is equipped with level-wind.  Of the three Hardy reels that I have for sale, this is my favourite – it is a beautiful piece of solid engineering craftsmanship in miniature and is very elegant.

As noted in the sub-title for this listing, the reel has not been messed with or ‘pimped’ and is in original, un-restored condition.  For this reason, the ‘Buy-It-Now’ price is based on similar reels that I have seen on professional vintage tackle dealer sites over recent months rather than on the restored items that more often come up on eBay.  It would make a fantastic addition to a collection but is still eminently useable if you prefer to see these wonderful reels kept in action!

Please note that the reel was engraved with my fathers name on the opposite face to the winder – please see photographs!

I have tried to show as much detail as possible in the photographs but please contact me if you would like further pictures to be taken and sent to you.

Given the age and the value of this reel, I have based the shipping costs on courier delivery and allowed for a lot of packaging materials.  I am happy to consider other, cheaper, shipping solutions but the insurance risk would have to be taken by the winner of the auction.  Personal collection is of course also an option if you prefer.

I am also auctioning a number of other pieces of vintage Hardy tackle, including the Palakonia “Wanless” spinning rod that was used with this reel, so please check out my other items for more information.