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I'm so excited! After purchasing 50s/60s era 3⅜", 3½" and 4" Hardy Perfects over the past couple of years (and selling the 4" to another SP member - thanks @Trouter925 - to pay for this), I finally got the opportunity to buy this gorgeous 4" Pre-War fishing reel. I'm not a collector but I do love the Perfect model for fishing and especially the version with the line guard. This was from @xgolfman - Paul Dudley's collection of gear and I'm thrilled, on several levels, to own it.
According to the attached file from one of our members here on SP (sorry but I can't remember who originally posted this - I'd love to know and thank you if you happen to read this 😜) this reel dates to between 1920 and 1928. It was originally made and badged internally for Von Lengerke and Detmold of NYC which was purchased by and renamed to Abercrombie and Fitch in 1928. So the reel is definitely pre 1929 and it is stamped Duplicated Mark II which narrows it down to post 1920 as does the black handle.
This is the jewel in my collection of Hardy reels (fishing reels, not collectables). Prior to this purchase, my favourite was my 4¼ Pre-War Uniqua. Some day I'd also like to have a 3½, a 3¾, a 4¼ and a 4½ - all pre-war with the line guard - not even sure if they all came with a line guard but that's my dream 🙏🏻.
I get why so many members on this forum have so many of these reels in their collections. They are beautiful pieces of kit and are a joy to fish with and to look at and hold. I'm geeking out over this. I can see that this is a very deep and expensive rabbit hole that I'm peering into but hey, there are worse things one can spend one's hard earned cash on, no?
I also fish with several Marquis models, namely the #7 multiplier, the #8/9 multiplier and the Salmon series No1, No2 and No3. The 8/9 multiplier was the first "real" fly reel that I bought back in the late 70s, when I lived in Calgary. I bought it from a shop called The Fishin' Hole (some of you may even remember that shop). I've always loved that reel and the Marquis series has held a special place in my heart ever since but, since I started Spey Casting a few years ago, the Perfect has worked its way in there and usurped that special place (don't worry Marquis, I still love you and I always will).
Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement and joy over finally owning (and fishing) this beautiful piece of fishing history.
Thanks for looking.
Frank
According to the attached file from one of our members here on SP (sorry but I can't remember who originally posted this - I'd love to know and thank you if you happen to read this 😜) this reel dates to between 1920 and 1928. It was originally made and badged internally for Von Lengerke and Detmold of NYC which was purchased by and renamed to Abercrombie and Fitch in 1928. So the reel is definitely pre 1929 and it is stamped Duplicated Mark II which narrows it down to post 1920 as does the black handle.
This is the jewel in my collection of Hardy reels (fishing reels, not collectables). Prior to this purchase, my favourite was my 4¼ Pre-War Uniqua. Some day I'd also like to have a 3½, a 3¾, a 4¼ and a 4½ - all pre-war with the line guard - not even sure if they all came with a line guard but that's my dream 🙏🏻.
I get why so many members on this forum have so many of these reels in their collections. They are beautiful pieces of kit and are a joy to fish with and to look at and hold. I'm geeking out over this. I can see that this is a very deep and expensive rabbit hole that I'm peering into but hey, there are worse things one can spend one's hard earned cash on, no?
I also fish with several Marquis models, namely the #7 multiplier, the #8/9 multiplier and the Salmon series No1, No2 and No3. The 8/9 multiplier was the first "real" fly reel that I bought back in the late 70s, when I lived in Calgary. I bought it from a shop called The Fishin' Hole (some of you may even remember that shop). I've always loved that reel and the Marquis series has held a special place in my heart ever since but, since I started Spey Casting a few years ago, the Perfect has worked its way in there and usurped that special place (don't worry Marquis, I still love you and I always will).
Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement and joy over finally owning (and fishing) this beautiful piece of fishing history.
Thanks for looking.
Frank
