In excellent condition for its age. This model has an ebony fold-down handle which was made after the original fixed handle proved to be too fragile. William Billinghurst first built his reputation for his expertise in making rifles, and later fly reels in Rochester, NY.
These reels rarely come up for sale, being hoarded as a unique family heirloom! Included is generic tan suede reel pouch. William Billinghurst, a gunsmith from Rochester New York, received the first American patent for a fly reel on August 9, 1859. This reel's "bird-cage" design, as it has been nicknamed, allowed it to be mounted sideways on the fishing rod.
In the patent, Billinghurst states that the design allowed the line to be wound on easier and dry faster. The handles on the first model were fixed in place but soon after were designed to be folded down when not in use so the reel could be carried easier. We strive to be 5 star sellers. If you feel that you cannot leave a Positive comment with all 5 stars - WE WILL EARN IT. We want to ensure you are another satisfied customer!The item "RARE Antique William Billinghurst Birdcage Brass Side-Mounted Pat. 1859 Fly Reel" is in sale since Friday, July 5, 2019.
This item is in the category "Sporting Goods\Fishing\Reels\Fly Fishing Reels". The seller is "jectronics" and is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Panama, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Uruguay, South africa, Colombia, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman islands, Sri lanka, Maldives, Oman, Reunion.