Wm. H. Talbot Reel Co., Nevada, MO
Wm. H. Talbot reels are perhaps some of the highest quality reels ever made. The earliest reels were made in Nevada, MO from about 1895 to 1913. The first models made in Nevada were marked No. 2, 3 or 4 and had four screws attaching the head plate to the reel frame. Talbot received a patent in January 22, 1901 for a design that incorporated only three screws to attach the head plate. The top of the line model was marked No. 50. This model had clear saphire jeweled bearings and an ivory knob. The forerunners of this high quality reel were the Levison Special and the Talbot Special. These models are very scarce. Other scarce models were the Talbot No. 60 and No. 75. The Niangua is also a high quality reel and was made with and without jeweled bearings. The most desireable reel for collectors is the Ben Hur fly reel. It came in two sizes and are considered very scarce. His bottom of the line of reels (if there is a bottom of the line for Talbot) are named after heavenly bodies like Meteor, Mars and Comet. These reels can also be found with and without garnet jewels for spool bearings. Talbot also marked his standard reels with the names of sporting goods and hardware stores stores like Gus Habich in Indianapolis, VIM in Chicago and Schmelzer Arms Co. in Kansas City.
In 1913 the company name was changed to Talbot Reel & Mfg. Co. and was moved to Kansas City, MO. The No. 50 reel now came in three sizes and marked No's 52, 53 and 54 with the second digit being the reel size. Talbot continued to make the size No's 2, 3 and 4 series reels. The second digit on these reels signified what options that came with the reel. The Niangua, Meteor, Comet and Star models were made by the company while in Kansas City, MO. In 1920, the company was sold to Richardson Rod & Reel Co. in Chicago. Richardson made standard Talbot reels and also made special free-spool reels for tournament casting. All Talbot reels are collectable and sought after by collectors.
The TALBOT BEN HUR Fly Reel, circa 1905
The 4-Screw TALBOT No. 3 Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1900
The TALBOT No. 50 Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1910
Variation of The TALBOT No. 50 Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1910
The TALBOT No. 2 Reel, Nevada, MO
The TALBOT No. 2 Reel Company Markings While in Nevada, MO
The TALBOT PREMIER No. 3 Reel, Nevada, MO
The TALBOT No. 3 Reel Company Markings While in Nevada, MO
The TALBOT PREMIER No. 3 Reel Variations, Nevada, MO
The TALBOT No. 4 Reel, Nevada, MO
The TALBOT No. 60 Reel, Nevada, MO
Bearing Cap removed to show Violet Garnet Jeweled Bearing
The TALBOT NIANGUA Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1905
The TALBOT ELI Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1906
The TALBOT COMET Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1913
The TALBOT METEOR Reel, Nevada, MO, circa 1905 Made For Schmelzer Arms Co.
The TALBOT MARS Reel, Nevada, MO
Wm. H. Talbot Catalog Pages, circa 1905
Wm. H. Talbot Reel Co. Catalog, circa 1910
