Rare Nickel Silver Clinton Side-Mount Trout Reel

Stamped "C. M. Clinton - Ithaca - N.Y. - Pat Oct. 29 '89", this reel from Charles M. Clinton of Ithaca, NY, was granted patent No.413,774 on October 29, 1889, essentially for his improvements on the all hard rubber reel patented earlier by Alonzo Fowler, also of NY, in 1872. Built with an oil reservoir that ran through the spool shaft, the reel was offered in both all German silver and aluminum. This German silver model is 2 5/8" in diameter and features a perforated spool that allowed lines to dry while remaining on the reel. With a tiny hard rubber grasp and rare "C.M. Clinton" marked foot, in near perfect original condition, and nearly impossible to upgrade, returning to Lang's after originally selling in the Fall 2008 auction.