J MacGowan Raised Pillar Brass Salmon Winch 6'10" The usual super varnish job

The usual super varnish job

Serial #8077

while extremely tattered and in pieces

Classic cap and ring reel seat over a beautiful mortised wood spacer

Erinoid handle spins but is stiff - the screw is tight so I didn't force it

J MacGowan Raised Pillar Brass Salmon Winch 6'10" The usual super varnish jobAn interesting antique raised pillar salmon winch made by J MacGowan of London. McGowan made reels from the 1850's to the 1880's and this brass specimen is a fascinating example of an early trolling reel. The frame is 4" in diameter with a spool width of 1 5 8". Very nice condition throughout with no structural issues that I could find except for a little curve to both ends of the reel foot. The reel has a nice patina throughout. Domed ivorine handle.