Antique

[MrCat]

Hey folks,

I was clearing out a shed on the crazy old country estate where I work, and came accross the most beautiful old antique fly fishing reel, which the Laird said I could have! Wohoooo. I'm wondering on the best place to go to get some more info or a value on it if anyone has any advice.

A few friends have had a look and think it's a beautiful quality piece, still in perfect working order.

I just need a nice antique rod now.

[Gremlin]

Most old rods and reels are not worth very much, although classic collectors will be very interested in rods in original condition and almost anything with House of Hardy/Hardy written on it!

Try the search engines for sites like this -

http://www.oldreels.com/

[MrCat]

Hmm, cheers, these makers aren't on there tho. They get a mention on the net here and there but info is sparce! It could be an interesting one.

It's a very weighty brass reel, fly I think, on the front it says "C Farlow & co, makers, 191 strand london"

I found someone talking about a rod on another forum; "The "191 the Strand" address dates the rod to 1852-1884".

Curious.

More searching I guess.
Cheers anyway!

[Gremlin]

Farlows and Hardy seemed quite closely linked as both had shops in Pall Mall, London. Farlows seemed to have 'dissolved' in the 70s ....

try an expert (I'm not!) such as -

http://www.classic-tackle.co.uk/

[BoldBear]

Theres a couple of Farlows reels here -->http://www.partridgeclub.com/vintage_reels.html

There is a Farlows here but I don't know if it is the same company, or is it? Farlows of Pall Mall web page: http://http://www.farlows.co.uk/fly_fishing.html/

[MrCat]

Cheers matey! Yea that's the same farlows I think, I fished out their site the other day but it doesn't seem to say much.

I probably need to take it to some specialist or another.

[Greenheart]

I believe Farlows of Pall Mall have now linked up with Sportfish, but are still trading in Pall Mall under the Farlow's name. They have always been known for quality game fishing tackle & their rods / reels etc is quite sought after by collectors.

[MrCat]

Cheers folks,

I got this through the mail the other day after mailing some antique dude on a website;

"Your reel is a Charles Farlow of London, brass salmon winch made around 1910 and probably worth around £200, I hope this information will help."

Nice! :)

No idea what a salmon winch is tho apart from that it is one ha ha....