For some unknown reason I thought it would be a good idea to open this big salmon reel to look at the check mechanism. I know it’s a bit anorak, but it seemed the right thing to do at the time.
Surprise, the check was in the usual place behind the front plate against the spool and not in the raised front housing.
You have to ask, what is the front housing for? Well, methinks it’s cosmetic to look like the Hardy Hercules reels perhaps, BUT just before assembling the reel together I spotted a leaping fish trade mark on the inside of the plate. Why there? No one can see it.
I don’t recognise it, it’s not Farlow’s, Robertson’s, not Tokoz or Malloch, so who is it? No one can see it, the reel is probably Heaton’s or Smith and Wall, c. 1900 period.
It’s definitely answers on a post card on this one, if anyone has solid information on the mark I’d be pleased to hear from you
