Bronson Production Reels – Page 1 – Aetna to Green Hornet

Bronson Production Reels – Page 1 – Aetna to Green Hornet

     

On this page you will find reels that were regular Bronson production models, including a few rare prototypes. In most cases, both the reel and box are Bronson-marked.  So, if you do not see your reel on this page, you might find it under one of the other links above.

Bronson “Fleetwing” No.2475 Reel

  The No.2475 “Fleetwing” was one of Bronson’s longest-selling models, from its introduction in 1938 to its final appearance in the 1973 (True Temper) catalog. Interestingly, the 1938 catalog lists the Fleetwing as just a footnote under the “Flyer”, simply calling it the “jewelled” version of that model. The jewelled end caps on this first version were strictly cosmetic, with no function whatsoever. There is no manual spool adjustment and the reel has to be disassembled to oil it.. We do not see very many of these first versions. The yellow Art Deco box for this early version is shown below. Reel description is out of a 1940 Bronson catalog.
By 1949 or so, the Fleetwing was equipped with the Lashless-style A-B-L control on the tail plate and the fixed head plate end cap. These would be housed in the black Bronson box, shown in the second set of photos, and much later (late 60’s, early 70’s) in the blue boxes. These were produced in staggering numbers and are one of the most common models.
A few photos below show an example of someone’s modification, adding a metal “thumb-drag”. The final photo is of one of the last Fleetwings, with its original box, sold through True Temper in the early 1970’s. Photo courtesy of Scott Truex.
  Notice in the last picture shows another Fleetwing that has been modified into a lefty by someone who came up with a pretty good idea.  Picture is courtesy of Arne Soland.