Rare 1st Version Meek & Sons Model #44 Trout Reel

Thought to have been introduced late in 1899, this all German silver, single action 2 1/4" diameter, 1" wide spool reel has the earliest "flat back", featuring oversized round screw heads - which show absolutely no use at all - with V cuts and a finely beaded sliding click switch that works perfectly. The half straight and half curved counter-balanced handle has a turned ivory grasp and beaded counter-balance weight, an attractive feature that adds to the finely knurled rims and shouldered pillars. Markings on this example include a rear plate stamp that reads "B.F. Meek & Sons. Louisville, KY - No. 44", along with fancy script owner's name "W. C. Allison" and very early serial number 1243 for a Meek #44 on the inside rear plate. Featuring a "Stub's steel" pivot that has the slightest of exterior marks (the only evidence that this reel was ever used), this example would be near impossible to improve upon, returning to Lang's after originally selling in the spring 2007 auction.