A 19th Century English Nottingham Centrepin Fishing Reel

A Fine Late 19th-Century English Nottingham Centrepin Fishing Reel A characterful and highly evocative example of traditional angling craftsmanship, this late 19th-century English centrepin reel embodies the practical elegance of the classic Nottingham form. Produced during the height of Britain’s river fishing tradition, such reels were integral to float fishing techniques, prized for their smooth, free-running action and refined simplicity of design. The reel features a broad wooden drum, likely of mahogany or walnut, framed by darkened metal rims and mounted with a brass foot and cross-braced backplate. The reverse displays a pleasingly engineered cruciform brass support, both functional and decorative, while the turned bone handles provide a tactile and period-authentic detail characteristic of pre-First World War manufacture. The reel is presented on a bespoke wooden display stand, allowing it to be appreciated not only as a working piece of sporting equipment but also as a sculptural object of industrial heritage. The drum retains its original fishing line, adding further authenticity and a sense of continuity with its original use.