Allcock Unventilated Aerial 5138-T1 3”

Introduced in 1912, this model had the same spool as the Coxon Aerials of the period, with the then new aluminium back.

Its lovely tapered horn handles and hollow nickel silver line pins suggest it was made c1912. Production of this model ran from 1912 to 1925.

Condition report.

The lightweight ebonite spool flanges are sound, crack-free and have no chips. The face of the front flange has some patina from normal use. PATENT is stamped on the front face of the ebonite flange above the tension adjuster spoke.

The hollow nickel sliver line pins are straight and tight. The spool’s nickel silver spokes are straight and clean, albeit with some patina. The spool release mechanism and tension adjuster work perfectly. The spool runs very freely, with only the very slightest hint of run-out –to be expected on a centenarian reel. There is no play between spindle and hub. The end float adjustment grub screw is tidy and operational.

The original leaded finish on the back has mostly worn off and there are some pits in the aluminium between the calliper check spring retaining rivets and the spindle boss. These are casting faults that don’t affect the reel’s utility.

This reel’s brass foot is stamped PATENT on its front face. These early reels had four counter sunk nickel sliver screws securing the foot to the back. This foot is straight and unaltered.

The reel would have had a factory fitted brass BP line guard, now absent.

The spool’s width between flanges is 13/16”

The superb tapered horn handles are straight and free turning.

The sweet calliper check is crisp and operated via the brass button on the reel’s back.

This is a lovely early Aerial in nice, sound condition. I dare say it was intended for light spinning and general coarse fishing in smaller streams and ponds. I see no reason why it shouldn’t be used as it was intended for another century and it’s a pretty little thing, as they used to say in Ealing comedies.

*From the collection of the late Andrew Pattison.