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
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/F393AD21-A7BA-41D9-8BB6-52466191D108_zpsvbhbjuiw.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/F393AD21-A7BA-41D9-8BB6-52466191D108_zpsvbhbjuiw.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/09657BDE-0007-4EB2-BF7E-50F064A327C7_zpsphtdlbwg.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/09657BDE-0007-4EB2-BF7E-50F064A327C7_zpsphtdlbwg.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/769C38F6-B179-4988-893F-0F3A1AD3E927_zpsmkmatoa5.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/769C38F6-B179-4988-893F-0F3A1AD3E927_zpsmkmatoa5.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/52F4DB02-96E0-402F-BC4F-D38327C3801D_zpsrgfzupid.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/52F4DB02-96E0-402F-BC4F-D38327C3801D_zpsrgfzupid.jpg.html)
After the multiple days at Fred Hall , do you ever rest?!
Very interesting little reel, Did you find that at the show?
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
I've seen some weird looking reels but this one tops it 8)
Marc..
50K? Ahahahahaa!
How about 50 cent. :D
I've never seen anything like that, but it doesn't make it worth 50 G's.
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
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.
It doesn't make that much difference, John --
It's probably $100 -- $200, to the right buyer.
Best,
Fred
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.
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
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
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/93D3DDCA-09E4-4C79-94E4-3F21EB46093E_zpsav1tsmd6.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/93D3DDCA-09E4-4C79-94E4-3F21EB46093E_zpsav1tsmd6.jpg.html)
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
What a neat little reel-interesting concept. Thanks for sharing.
-Jason
Very interesting odd little reel, thanks for the thread.
mark
... still trying to figure out how the heck it works... ??? ??? ???
Really cool Fred. Someone was definitely thinking out of the box!
Regards, .. Lou