Slater's Nottingham Centre Pin Starback Walnut Fishing Reel

Slater's Nottingham Centre Pin Starback Walnut Fishing Reel

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Category
Reference

27747

Vintage Slater's Nottingham Starback Wooden Fishing Reel.
A fantastic centre pin 4" walnut star back fishing reel by D. Salter's. The front plate with two horn handles mounted on brass eye plates, a brass spool back plate, full annular line guide, optional check and drum release catch. The "Star" on the back engraved "D. Slater's Patent 4169".
The reel is in good clean condition.
David Slater worked in the coach making industry but made fishing rods in his spare time. The demand for 'David's rods' steadily grew until he eventually started making rods at 9 Portland Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire. In 1881 he began to make reels as well. He was granted a patent (No. 2551) on 22nd May 1883 for his 'Perfect Combination Center Pin' which was usually made with ebonite back, wooden spool and annular line guard. He applied for a number of Patents but there is no record because he never sealed and completed them. One such Patent was probably the 'Slater Latch', a small latch near the center of the reel plate which could release the drum instantly. Many other manufacturers took advantage of this and incorporated the idea into their reels.
In the early 1890's Slater decided to retire and so sold his tackle business. It traded under the name David Slater & Co. so he must have retained some connection with the company as it expanded into gunmetal reels for fresh water, light sea fishing, as well as mahseer and salmon. In 1894 the business address was 60 Harcourt Street very close to another tackle dealer, Charles Smith & Co., trading in Lombard Street. A surprise advert appeared in the 'Fishing Gazette' on 29th June 1895 offering the company, David Slater & Co., for sale at £3000 due to ill health of the proprietor. Later that year on 31st August the 'Fishing Gazette' announced David Slater had again taken over the company and was trading in his own name. Slater continued to develop new reels and by 1912 had moved into Charles Smith & Co. old premises in Lombard Street and continued to trade from there until the 1920's. Slater produced some of the best made reels in Britain which are highly collectable today for their elegant appearance.
Adapted from 'Fishing Tackle - A Collector's Guide - by Graham Turner'.

Dimensions:

Height 6.5 cm / 2 34"
Diameter 10.5 cm / 4 "
Period

1900-1949

Year

c.1910

Medium

Walnut & Brass

Collections

Good, not perfect. optional check worn.

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