Allcock Ventilated Aerial 7950-T5 3”

When I first saw this reel, I thought it had replacement handles. On close inspection, I realised that they are the original Xylonite, un-crazed and in perfect condition. The same goes for the reel as a whole. Apart from some light wear and patina to the original leaded finish, it’s in mint condition. Indeed, most of the finish is intact, internally.

Made from 1916 to 1925, this example, with its solid brass line pins, dates from the latter end of the model’s production period.

Condition report.

The plain reel back retains its leaded finish, albeit with some even wear and patina. The finish is intact internally. There are no dents or chips.

The spool is equally smart, with six spokes to the front flange and eight holes. The solid aluminium spool back has its original leaded finish internally. Externally, it retains its leaded finish with some wear and patina. There are no chips or dents. The face of the front flange is stamped PATENT.

The line pins are solid brass, straight and tight. The six nickel silver spokes are perfect, with the attractive patina of age. The tension adjuster and spool release work perfectly. The end float grub screw is tidy and fully operational. The spool runs perfectly with no run-out or spindle wear. It’s dinky, and it’s gorgeous.

The spool’s width between flanges is 1”

The brass foot is perfect and its two retaining screws haven’t been got at.

The calliper check is crisp with a neutral click, operated via a tarnished but perfect brass button.

The flawless Xylonite handles are straight and free turning.

I really like this model. It’s sometimes overlooked, I suspect because it has six spokes and a solid spool back. In practice, the spool back results in a lighter spool than the twelve spoke equivalent. These spools tend to stay true and their solid back keeps crud out of the inner works.

A superb example of this model in an unusual size.

*From the collection of the late Andrew Pattison.