The Horton Mfg. Co. - Bristol, CT
On March 8, 1887, Everett Horton received a patent for a hollow, telescoping metal rod. This was the beginning of the Horton Mfg. Co. It was known for it's line of Bristol, Rainbow and Luckie metal rods and Kingfish Brand fishing line. In 1904, they also offered the Seely Edsall's patent combination reel and handle.
In 1916, Horton Mfg. Co. bought the B.F. Meek & Sons fishing reel business and name. They moved the manufacture from Louisville, KY to Bristol, CT. Horton continued to make high quality reels in the Meek tradition up until late 1940's. Meek reels were the top of the line and marked with large letters to highlight the name. The Blue Grass line was the mid-grade and Simplex was their economy grade of reels. In addition to the Meek and Blue Grass line of reels, Horton introduced the less expensive Bristol line of bait casting and fly reels.
The original boxes for these reels can sometimes double their value.
The HORTON MEEK No. 6 Reel
HORTON MEEK No. 3 Free Spool Reel Awarded to Walter Willman in 1922
The HORTON BLUE GRASS No. 10 Reel
The HORTON MEEK No. 2 Reel and Box, circa 1917
The HORTON MEEK No. 3 Free Spool Reel, circa 1917
The HORTON MEEK No. 4 Free Spool Reel, circa 1917
The HORTON MEEK No. 4 Reel, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 3 Reel, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 3 Reel, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 3 Aluminum Spool & Handle Tournament Reel, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 4 Reel, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 3 Tournament Reels, circa 1920
The HORTON MEEK No. 4 and No. 3 Reels, circa 1930
The HORTON No. 4 and No. 3 BLUE GRASS Reels, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 30 Reels, circa 1940
The HORTON BRISTOL No. 88 and No. 77 Reels, circa 1930
The HORTON MEEK No. 3 Engraved Reel
The HORTON MEEK No. 55 Fly Reel, circa 1938
The EVERETT HORTON March 8, 1887 Rod Patent
The EVERETT HORTON March 8, 1887 Rod Patent
HORTON MANUFACTURING Co. June 2, 1888 The American Angler Magazine Ad
The HORTON MEEK Fly Reels in the 1938 Catalog
Catalog Page of HORTON MEEK Tournament Reels
Marshall Field 1931 Catalog Page Showing The No. 6 MEEK Reel
Horton Mfg. Co, 1910 Bristol Rods Catalog Cover