Edward Vom Hofe, 1/0, Model 504 With Very Rare Click And Drag System.
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:20431159 | Fishing Type: Fly Fishing |
Edward vom Hofe, 1/0, model 504 with very rare click anddrag system.This is the smallest of the Tobique multiplying salmonreels that Edward vom Hofe made, measuring 3 1/8” indiameter and 1 5/8” across the spool. What makes thisparticular reel so unusual, and truly rare, is that it has twoclicking gears on the inside of the rear plate that have farfewer teeth than the usual E. vom Hofe spool gear. Thelarger pawl, which is attached to the back plate and locksinto place when the line ...is outgoing, only clicks when theline is being spooled in. The smaller pawl is screwed ontothe large gear and makes use of a wire spring that engagesthe spool’s smaller gear and clicks only when the line isbeing pulled off of the spool.In the photograph that shows the mechanics of twodifferent E. vom Hofe salmon reels. The one on the left, a2/0 Restigouche model, shows the normal/usual circularspring and pawl setup with the spool pinion gear. Theopen-faced reel on the right is the 1/0 Tobique with twopawls. The image of the spool on the right also shows thepinion gear and two pawls for the 1/0 model 504 reel weare discussing.The drag is increased when one rotates the seven positionknurled lever to the left, away from the raised post that isscrewed into the back plate. Doing so raises the larger gearassembly upwards putting increased pressure on thebearing surface located in the center of the spool gear.This set of double pawls on one of E. vom Hofe’s salmonreels (this being serial # V280) was unquestionably aspecial order item. I have seen exactly this setup only threeor four times in all my years (40) of studying quality tackle, but I can assure you that it is a factory installed drag system.This two-gear setup is not listed in any E. vom Hofecatalogue and is not mentioned in Ted Bingham’s book, The Celebrated Reels of Edward vom Hofe.The condition of this reel speaks for itself. There are nochunks of hard rubber missing, and no cracks. Everythingon the reel is original with no repairs need. Both clickswork perfectly, with a pleasant yet different sounddepending on which way the spool is going. The drag onthe spool is strong and, as you can see, does not have theleather padded “ears” that one associates with E. vom Hofesalmon reels. One could quibble with several of thecountersunk screw holes on the front plate that have seen ascrewdriver, but that is common on reels that are 100 yearsold. The D block leather case is original to the reel, and hasthe same factory initials W.B.M on both the front plate andthe top of the case. There are no rips or broken straps onthis case.
Apologies for the lint in some photos that can be dusted off easily.
Apologies for the lint in some photos that can be dusted off easily.
