Hardy Davy Fly Reel

An exceedingly scarce Hardy "The Davy" Reel, with a 3 1/2" diameter and a scant 17/32" between the spool plates, making it one of their thinnest trout models. The reel weighs 5.6 oz. The unmolested ribbed brass reel foot measures 2 7/16". This is one of the rarest of all Hardy trout reels with only 187 made during the period 1930-1939. Originally designed at the behest of Martin Davy, this model drew from the Eureka and boasted a drop latch, two handles, and was thought to have been desired for the increased line retrieval rate that its dimensions afforded. Relatively few of them remain due to their thin, and therefore more fragile, design, and there are even fewer like this one here which is in superb original condition. I've gone over it very carefully and aside from some normal cosmetic wear it is in excellent shape overall with no cracks, chips, or any other issues, and the frame remains just as tight today as it was when it came out of the Hardy factory.  As John Drewett notes about the Davy in his definitive book on Hardy reels: "Examples come to light all too infrequently. The Davy does appear to have been a reel that once purchased subsequently received frequent use with the consequence that when you do see a Davy the likelihood is that it will not be in pristine condition." That certainly is not the case here. This is just a marvelous example of one of the rarest hardy trout reels of them all and deserves pride of place in a great reel collection.