J. J. S. Walker Bampton, Alnwick, The ‘MASTER’ 3 ½” Centrepin Casting reel – 1913 made by Walter Dingley, engraved with retailers name ‘Pape, Newcastle’ – GOOD CONDITION! – $300

J. J. S. Walker Bampton, Alnwick, The ‘MASTER’ 3 ½” Centre pin casting reel c. 1913 made by Walter Dingley, engraved with retailers name ‘Pape, Newcastle’. 

Some Reel History:

All aluminium alloy backplate and spool the latter with copper line lays, small unobtrusive brass centre boss and spool release catch, slim elegant unmarked ivory handles on discreet brass seats.

Backplate stamped the ‘MASTER’ with the patent number 29107/13 (denoting 1913 application date) and the maker’s roundel; ‘J. J. S. Walker Bampton & Co., Makers, Alnwick’.

With full cage, brass foot (one end shortened) mounted on two cross pillars (a Dingley trademark), alloy bar brake handle (denotes early production example – later reels were fitted with a bone handle), brass rim mounted ‘turks head’ tension adjuster.

Inside the backplate stamped ’91’ and fitted with ‘V’ spring tension adjuster, brass brake mechanism.

Retains most of the original ‘leaded’ finish with no visible damage.

Walter Dingley is by any measure one of the very best reel makers of the 20^th century and this reel is a fine example of the high quality design and engineering craftsmanship for which he was famed.

Very attractively priced.

Walter Dingley (b.1^stJune 1858, d.1^st July 1946) was apprenticed age 14 to Reuben Heaton staying for 14 years until 1886 before working for legendary reel maker David Slater, leaving in 1892 to work for Hardy.

He is generally accepted as being the inventor of the SILEX.

In 1909 he developed improvements leading to the SILEX No.2.

He wanted paying but Hardy didn’t agree resulting in him selling his Hardy shares and leaving in 1911 and joining J. J. S. Walker Bampton.

This parting of ways was acrimonious leading to Hardy warning anglers to be wary of ‘imitations’ referring to Dingley’s reels, namely the ‘Master’ and ‘Rolo’, the latter retailed through Westley Richards, another great rival of Hardy whose attitude smacked of condescension.

There can be no doubt that Dingley was one of the best, if not the very best, reel makers of the 20^thcentury. Oldest son Ernest ran his company until 1954 when he died and the company closed.

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