Interesting little reel -- Hybrid Comventional Baitcaster & Spinning Reel!

[foakes]

Here is an interesting little reel from the early 50s.

A very unique design --

Considered very rare by experts.

It is called a Merit -- manufactured by Stalder, Inc.

When casting, you depress the chrome thumb spoon -- and the spinning spool goes into a horizontal position -- so line comes off easily.

When retrieving, the spool is in the upright position -- and the spool slightly oscillates up and down for a better line lay.

In the early 50s, there were possibly hundreds of small or sometimes large manufacturers trying to get on the new "Spinning Reel" bandwagon.  A spinner was easier for the average angler to cast, they could gain more distance, very few birdnests, and could cover about 5 times the water area in a given amount of time -- thus a better chance of getting a strike.

Due to competition, good engineers -- but not knowing how to run a business, clunky manufacturing systems that were not cost effective, and timing...Only a handful of these companies were successful -- and most of these interesting old products became obsolete.  

Best,

Fred

[theswimmer]

After the multiple days at Fred Hall , do you ever rest?!
Very interesting little reel, Did you find that at the show?

[foakes]

Hi Jonathan --

Guy came in to the show to ask us what it was worth.

Randy advertises for his business -- BUY, SELL, TRADE.

So a lot of stuff comes into the show for Randy to look at -- and he knows a tremendous amount about almost anything saltwater, plus a little about freshwater.  I know a lot about freshwater, and less about saltwater.

I told him I would research it and get back to him in a week, or so.

Owner said that someone told him it was worth $50K.

I may be way off, but generally these little oddball reels could reach $300 -$400, to the right buyer.

IMO.

I will do a little more research -- but although a rare little period example -- not likely to pay off the mortgage, or put the kiddos through college.

But a nice little reel -- nevertheless.

If anyone knows anything about these reels, or has more information -- please chime in!

I found a little, but not much...

Best,

Fred

[Marcq]

I've seen some weird looking reels but this one tops it 

Marc..

[Shark Hunter]

50K? Ahahahahaa!
How about 50 cent.
I've never seen anything like that, but it doesn't make it worth 50 G's.

[foakes]

For the value of nearly any reel, most of us on here are somewhat more knowledgeable than the average person --

With very few exceptions, we can determine the real value of a reel by brutally, and honestly answering this one question to ourselves:

If I really wanted this reel, how much would I write a check for right now?

I think that is accurate 95% of the time.

Just my opinion.

Best,

Fred

[Tightlines667]

Cool, unique reel.  Value is what someone is willing to pay for it.  Maybe some of the experts over on ORCA could give you a better idea?

Mr. Phil White in his article, The Reel News 12th Reel Award, in September 2002 issue of The Reel News , gives a good critique of this reel.


Mr. White states in part –"this reel looks like something made by a blind man who worked in a reel repair shop" and "The Merit reel was a product of the 1950s, and didn't last very long. This is a fairly tough reel to find."

And here is a link to Mr. White'states site where (mysteriously) the photo of the boxed example he had up several years back (4 years maybe) has dissappeared...


http://www.oldreels.com/pivoting_reels.htm

There are some fine examples of similar pivoting type reels though.


*taken from the ORCA site.

[foakes]

It doesn't make that much difference, John --

It's probably $100 -- $200, to the right buyer.

Best,

Fred

[Shark Hunter]

I meant no disrespect on my comment, but I myself would not give 10 bucks for that reel.
I buy reels to fish for the Leviathan's of the Sea.
I don't think this one is up to the task.

[Alto Mare]

Well, it has to do on how you look at things. I personally love it and probably would pay $100 in that condition. I bet it looked amazing when it was new.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing Fred.

Sal

[foakes]

This is likely Phil's.

Boxed and in this condition would likely double or triple the value.

Phil is possibly (is) the foremost expert on spinning reels and their history -- in the world.

Best,

Fred

[cbar45]

Ingenious little reel!

I would like to have seen how the guides were laid out on the rod it was paired with.

Seems that line guide set just above the spool would act as a very early version of the rapid-choke concept.

Chad

[jason_purdy]

What a neat little reel-interesting concept. Thanks for sharing.
-Jason

[anglingarchitect]

Very interesting odd little reel, thanks for the thread.

mark

[nelz]

... still trying to figure out how the heck it works...