Meisselbach

A.F. Meisselbach Reels

A.F. Meisselbach & Bro. - Newark, NJ

A.F. Meisselbach reels were simple, useful reels at first. August Frederich Meisselbach received the patent for his first reel on February 23, 1886. It was for a nickel plated brass flat reel named the "Amateur". Then came the "Expert" in 1888 and then the "Featherlight" in 1895. Meisselbach didn't start making multiplying geared reels until 1902. That's when he introduced his German silver and hard rubber reel. It was sold by Abbey & Imbrie and marked "4 to 1". The reel had an automatic click that, when engaged, operated only when the line was played outward. In 1903 he introduced the "TAKE-APART" marked reels and in 1906 the "TRI-PART" marked reels. The "Free Spool" Surf reel was introduced in 1911 and was made up until 1932. The "Neptune" reel was made from 1911 thru 1917 and the "Triton" reel was made from 1918 thru 1925. August Meisselbach died in 1927.

The A.F. Meisselbach reels the Takapart and Tripart reels are the ones usually found by collectors. They were made for over 20 years up until 1930. The scarcest for the early Tripart reels is the 3-screw model. It was sold for only one year in 1907. It differs from the regular Tripart reel in that the head plate is held on with three screws rather than a threaded ring. There was also a 2-screw model. The highest quality of the Takapart reels were the German silver No. 600 series of reels made between 1913 and 1919. The 685 De Luxe was the top of the line with free-spool and sapphire jeweled bearings. Meisselbach also made a 700 series of German silver Triparts similar to the Takaparts. All the German silver Takapart and Tripart reels are scarce and sought after by collectors.

In 1917, Meisselbach sold the company and name to Heineman & Bro. of New York. They continued to make the reels with the Meisselbach name on them in Newark. Then, the manufacturing was moved to Elyria, OH in 1921. In 1922, Meisselbach introduced the "OKEH" line of reels. These were their first level-wind reels. Meisselbach reels are considered to be one of the great early reels made in the USA.



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The MEISSELBACH First Takapart Model, Circa 1902


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The MEISSELBACH FREE-SPOOL "Takapart De-Luxe" 685, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH German Silver "Takapart" No. 680, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH German Silver Free Spool "Takapart" No. 681, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH 3-Screw "Tri-part", Circa 1907


The MEISSELBACH German Silver Salt Water Reel, Circa 1914

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The MEISSELBACH German Silver Salt Water Reel, Circa 1914


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The MEISSELBACH "Tripart" No. 580, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH "Symplopart" No. 252, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH "Symploreel" No. 255, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH-CATUCCI "Symploreel" No. 256, Circa 1915


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The MEISSELBACH-CATUCCI "Symploreel" No. 257, Circa 1925


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The MEISSELBACH "Neptune" , Circa 1922


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The MEISSELBACH "Triton" , Circa 1922


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The MEISSELBACH "Sea Line" , Circa 1931


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The MEISSELBACH "OKeh" No. 620, Circa 1930


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The MEISSELBACH "OKeh" No. 625, Circa 1930


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The MEISSELBACH-CATUCCI No. 374 Wide Spool Fly Reel


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The MEISSELBACH "Featherlight No. 250" , Circa 1910


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The 1907 Abbey & Imbrie Catalog Image of MEISSELBACH Takapart Reel


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The 1909 Catalog Image of MEISSELBACH Fly Reels


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1907 MEISSELBACH 2-Screw "Tri-Part" Reel Ad


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MEISSELBACH-CATUCCI Gear Hobbing Machine Ad in Dec. 29, 1910 "American Machinist" Magazine


To see a 1910 "American Machinist" Magazine article on the Dies and Manufacturing used to make the Takapart reel, click on the link below.

Link to 1910 Article


To see the reels listed in the 1914 Meisselbach Catalog, click on the link below.

Link to 1914 Meisselbach Catalog



If you have a vintage antique fishing reel or lure, I can tell you what it's worth.

For any questions about vintage antique fishing reels, lures or tackle, please feel free to Email or Call me. I always like to talk about old tackle.

Remember, I'm always buying old vintage fishing lures and reels!

Email me at: ron@luresnreels.com or Call or Text me at: 407-496-7940

Thanks!

Ron Gast

Frostproof, FL



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