Could this be the brother of BB’s centrepin?
I wish Richard Walker had written Reel Building For Amateurs too.
It was the early nineteen nineties. Barry Grantham was exhibiting his new BB replica centrepin reels at the NEC angling show. A gentleman approached Barry and told him that BB’s reel, made for him by Richard Walker, wasn’t unique. Walker made two of them, he said. Barry told his visitor that Walker had indeed made two reels, but the first, which became known as the Thorndike reel, was different. It lacked a lever brake, for one thing. No, the gent insisted, Walker made two reels with lever brakes, quite aside from the first (Thorndike) version. Barry stood his ground. Walker made two carp reels- his and then BB’s, he repeated. Again, his determined visitor assured him that Walker had made two BB-type reels. They’d reached an impasse. The argument ended. The man departed and the matter didn’t arise again –until now.
To find out more about this reel, please click on the picture.
This is a reel of potentially great historical significance and rarity. If anyone can shed any light on its provenance, I would be extremely grateful to hear from them. Perhaps the unknown visitor to Barry Grantham’s NEC stand thirty-odd years ago will read this and contact me. I’m all ears!
The reel is available to buy and anyone interested in it is welcome to make an appointment to view it.
With best wishes for the vernal equinox and the end of Ramadan tomorrow,
Edward Barder & Colin Whitehouse