Wm. H. Talbot Reels - 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 sapphire 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 desirable 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 reels) 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 like Gus Habich in Indianapolis, VIM in Chicago and Schmelzer Arms Co. in Kansas City.

Wm. H. Talbot reels were made in Nevada, MO for about 18 years. 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. Talbot is considered to be one of the early great reel makers in the USA. All are collectable and sought after by collectors.