Rare & Important Hardy Perfect Reel

A first version Perfect with frameless design, 2 1/4" diameter spool with a 2 1/2" diameter winding plate side, Bickerdyke-style line guide that is pinned to raised brass supports and a perforated spool that winds directly into the drum core. The all hand-made reels of this period were stamped with a serial number, this one having number 125 next to the three hole foot. The open bearing race carries a full complement of ball bearings on this ivory grasped reel, with a perforated spool arbor, strapped tension screw on the rim and the famed rod-in-hand logo on the winding plate, along with the circular Hardy's 612 patent detail stamp. An important reel for the Hardy collector, in VG/VG+ condition showing a well-earned patina.