Chamberlain Cartridge & Target Co. Reel, Cleveland, OH
The Hunter reel was designed by Robert Hunter and made by the Chanberlain Cartridge & Target Co. The reel came in three versions. The first version was patented in May 19, 1903 and January 19, 1904. The version incorporated an antibacklash bar and a rear mounted thumb plunger brake. The free-spool version was patented in January 29, 1907 and incorporated a thumb bar to put the fishing reel in free-spool. It could subsequently be used as a spool brake. This version was advertised before the patent in 1904. The third model was a simplified version of the above two and had neither an antibacklash bar nor a free-spool thumb bar. All of these models are collectable.
The HUNTER REEL With Antibacklash Bar and Thumb Brake, circa 1904
The HUNTER REEL With Free-Spool Thumb Bar, circa 1904
The HUNTER REELS, circa 1904
1905 Ad For The HUNTER Reel