October 24th 2015 Antique Fishing Tackle
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2015
Extremely important rod and handle reel combination, from inventor and gunsmith, Peter A. Altmaeir of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Tiny German silver handle reel was patented November 9, 1869 and features a fully stamped brass side plate bearing his name, city and patent date. Oddly enough, the date marked on the side plate is marked PAT JULE 9, 1869. Altmaeir held many patents, including one for a breech loading firearm, mail bag padlock, firearms safety lock, and an improved sash lock. Excellent+ condition handle reel measures 6-1 /8" from rod butt to the end cap. Thisimportant reel is attached to a 5'-11" rod, clearly marked on the end cap: "B F NICHOLS MAKER, BOSTON MASS." Nichols held patents for both rod construction (#336,255 laminating strips of varying flexibility) and ferrule coupling (#339,204), both of 1886. Rod is in beautiful condition, complete with brass banded trumpet guides and what appears to be a Chubb patent tube top. We are currently unaware of the connection between Altmaeir and Nichols. Perhaps the reel and rod were "married" at a later date, although upon very close inspection of both, that does not seem to be the case. It is, without question, one of the single most historical reel/rod combinations known.