sold PHILBROOK AND PAINE TROUT REEL

PHILBROOK AND PAINE TROUT REEL

This reel is marked “Philbrook and Paine / Makers” and “Pat Appl For.”  This suggests that it may have been made prior to the issue of patent # 191, 813 in 1877.  “Paine” is generally taken as an incorrect spelling of “Payne,” for Edward Payne, who became a very successful rod maker after his partnership with Francis Philbrook.  During the partnership, the two created this original design for a series of distinctive and enormously influential fly reels.  Reels were made under the 191, 813 patent as late as the 1960s by H.L. Leonard, William Mills and Co., and Julius vom Hofe.

The reel measures 2 5/8” in diameter, pillar to pillar, with 1” spool width at the frame. Condition is  fine.  The simple mechanism works well, the foot is full length and not modified, and the inscriptions remain legible in this notoriously difficult material.  The marbleized side plates are made from a hot-molded mix of resins which was in use before ebonite.  This is the first time this reel has come to market since its purchase by the original owner.  Full provenance on request.