Allcock Bell vintage 6″ alloy big game reel, early version with large brass screw brake

Maker: Allcock of Redditch

Model: The Bell

Approximate year of manufacture: 1935 on

Condition: Fine

Material: Alloy

Length/ diameter: 6″

Country of manufacture: England

Ideal use: Fish or collect

TT opinion: Designed by Mr A.F Bell, a renowned tope angler and joint honorary secretary of the British Sea Anglers Society. This provenance and his fishing experience show in its robust design, yet it’s a joy to operate. All Bell reels are 6” in diameter, made from cast and machined alloy unlike the later Allcock Commodore and similar models that are constructed from pressed mixed metals. An optional ratchet check allows the reel to run freely as required and the large brass tension nut at the front adds drag pressure easily. It’s the extended handbrake however that adds real stopping power. The reel is listed in the Allcock’s 1936 catalogue as designed for tope but also suitable for all saltwater species up to 300lbs! These include but not limited to; conger, skate, halibut, blue and porbeagle shark, tarpon, barracuda, albacore, yellow tail, tiger fish, mahseer, Nile perch and on. It holds 300yds of Neptune 18 thread line with a breaking strain of 50lbs. The Bell is machined from anticorrosive alloy and is fitted with a ball bearing in the spindle core and Bickerdyke line guide. This example is in fine condition. Its fully working and I hope it will be taken offshore and fished once again.