Hardy The Fortuna Fly Reel 3 1/2″ 1924-1930 + Hardy leather case

Maker: Hardy 

Model: Fortuna Fly Reel 

Condition: Excellent with original dark lead finish

Material: Alloy

Date made: 1924- 1930

Length / Diameter: 3.5″

Country of origin: England 

Notes:

This is one of the finest Hardy Fortuna Fly reels we have see. It and others were bought as part of a good Hardy high quality collection.
This 3.5″ diameter model is the smallest of the Fortuna Fly reels made and is in superb original condition. It is complete with the original Hardy block leather fitted case. You will not see many reel and case sets! The Fortuna Fly range started life in 1924 using special ‘Alumin’ to withstand corrosive action from salt and fresh water. The reel is factory dark leaded, conflicting with the catalogue information of that time. John Drewett, in his excellent book; Hardy Brothers, The Masters the Men and Their Reels 1873-1939 investigates the production run and the variants of this model; see pages 192-194. He writes the 3.5” was phased out in 1930 whilst the other two sizes of the Fortuna Fly, 4-1/4” and 5” continued until 1939. Circa 1927 the internal design and operation of the reel changed. Moving from a twin internal check system 1924-27 to a single set as seen here. The 1930 Hardy Anglers guide states, “These reels are fitted with a quickly adjustable silent brake, the invention of Mr H Andreas of New Zealand” A simple turn clockwise the large brass knurled nut altered the drag tension. When a fish ran, the handles remained stationary whilst the drum paid out line without fear of injury to the hand. We can therefore conclude this model had an even shorter production run, 1927 to 1930 with approx. 40 models made including a few bright finish models so this reel is in the low 30’s production run.