VINTAGE TACKLE - Aerials and Aerial Style Centrepins

www.VintageTackle.net

I define "Aerials" as having a free-running drum stabilised with spokes (usually 6 or 12), a centre boss with grub screw end-float adjustment, instant drum release, a micro-adjustable tension regulator drag (but not always!) and an on/off click-check (ratchet). Some modern Aerial-style reels run on ball bearings, and have a one-piece machined drum (instead of the traditional front and rear plates held together with 12 pillars).
Aerials are the centrepins of choice for many anglers and collectors because they are both elegant and practical. Therefore prices continue to rise and genuine bargains are difficult to find. Many Aerials change hands on eBay every week at "bargain" prices but buyer beware! - most have undisclosed faults. I describe my reels as accurately as possible and welcome further enquiries. If you buy from me and are not entirely satisfied I pledge to refund the purchase price (less p&p costs) if returned safely within 7 days.

I like to offer reels that are both efficient and affordable so I hope you will find an Aerial or Aerial- style reel on this page to suit your needs. Alternatively, I have a good range of other centrepins on my Non-Aerial Style Centrepins page, many of which are considered by some trotting enthusiasts to be equaly practical as Aerials, albeit not as pretty! If you have trouble deciding which reel is best for you, please 'phone me to discuss your requirements.

A few words about fakes and refurbished reels... Unfortunately there are a few dealers who knowingly sell fakes or reels with major replacement parts as authentic and original, particularly Coxons and other rare Aerials... I am not one of these crooks!

Unless stated otherwise, all reels on this page are authentic, run on plain bearings, are ambidextrous and in good usable condition. They are listed in alphabetical order of maker or brand name...

I often have more items waiting to be listed, so if you can't find what you want on this website, please 'phone me.

~~Recent addition~~
S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” Model C815 (circa 1950s/60s)

3ľ" diameter with ¹⁵/16" wide drum*, switch-operated optional click-check, micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", nickel silver spokes (6) & pillars (12), with 10-hole ventilation to front flange, octagonal maker's badge on rear. Black paint removed from exposed surfaces giving it the appearance of a 1930s Aerial. Near-perfect mechanically and an excellent runner. Complete with a photo-copy of 1955 Allcocks Anglers Guide pages 56-57 showing this reel...
Ł159.00 (Item reference ARL124) sold to SM

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” Model C815 (circa 1950s)

4˝" diameter with ¹⁵/16" wide drum*, switch-operated optional click-check, micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", chromed spokes (6) & pillars (12), with 10-hole ventilation to front flange, chromed foot, saltwater resistant black paint finish with "bobble" effect on rear. Slight paint loss though normal use. Very good condition complete with photo-copy of 1955 Allcocks Anglers Guide pages 56-57 showing this reel...
Ł169.00 (Item reference ARL150)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” Model No.5100˝ (circa 1915)

Rare 3˝" diameter “Half-Ebonite” model with ebonite rear drum flange (¹³/16" between flanges), 2 x 6 spokes with 8 hole ventilation to front flange, Regulating Drag, optional button-operated caliper click-check, ivorine handle knobs, rare block lettering on rear. An exceptional reel in very good condition. Highly useable and collectable...
Ł650.00 (Item reference ARL195)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” Model No.5101 (circa 1915)

Rare 3" diameter with ¹³/16" between ebonite drum flanges, 2 x 6 spokes without Regulating Drag (indicating a manufacturing date of c1915 or possibly earlier). Optional button-operated on/off caliper click-check on pitted aluminium back with 4-screw foot and "B.P." gun-metal line guard (set up for right hand wind), This delightful reel has been sympathetically restored by professional reel maker Garry Mills. A very smooth and free running reel with minimal mechanical wear. Highly useable and collectable. Any questions, please ask.
Ł650.00 (Item reference ARL117)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” Model No.7981 (circa 1920s)

3" diameter with 1" wide drum, optional button-operated ratchet click-check (set for right hand wind), micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", 6 spokes with 8 hole ventilation, crazed xylonite handle knobs, circular bordered logo, mechanically perfect, dead straight, no wobble or play. R.F.B neatly scratched onto rear flange of drum. Very good condition retaining much of its original lead finish...
Ł500.00 (Item reference ARL127)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” Model No.7981 (circa 1920s)

3˝" diameter with 1" wide drum, optional button-operated ratchet click-check (set for right hand wind), micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", 6 spokes with 8 hole ventilation, crazed xylonite handle knobs, circular bordered logo, BP linegard with roller pillar. Mechanically perfect, dead straight, no wobble or play. Excellent condition retaining most of its original lead finish...
Ł650.00 (Item reference ARL199)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL” 1934 "Improved" Model No.7950 with dead black finish

4" diameter with 1¹/8" wide drum, rim-lever-operated onptional ratchet check (ideally for right-hand-wind), micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", 2 x 6 spokes with 10 hole ventilation to front flange, xylonite handle knobs, stag logo on rear. Very slight wobble and a few minor scratches to the original black finish but absolutely no wear to the spindle, bush, handles or check mechanism. Very good condition...
Ł500.00 (Item reference ARL155)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL MATCH” 1939/40 Model No.9053

4" diameter with ⁹/16" contracted drum. Light aluminium alloy construction with black painted back plate. Not to be confused with the post-war Match Aerial, the Aerial Match is very rare as it was produced for a very short time prior to the outbreak of WWII and appeared in the Allcocks Anglers Guide for one year only in 1939 (1939/40 edition). Specification includes button-operated optional ratchet click-check, micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", 6 nickel-silver spokes with 12 pillars and 10-hole ventilation to front flange, detachable ebonite handle knobs and line guard mounted for right-hand-wind. S ALLCOCK & Co Ltd REDDITCH ENGLAND and Stag trade mark engraved on back plate with "55" stamped underneath both drum flanges. Totally original and mechanically perfect with only slight paint loss and honest rubbing to line guard and back plate. No wobble or excess play - runs smoothly & silently for 45 seconds on 3-IN-ONE oil - not bad for a lightweight 4" reel with plain bearings!
Total weight: 8¹/8oz, drum weight: 4¹/8oz. Highly collectable and a joy to use! Supplied in a nice old leather pouch with nickel zip and initials AG in gold letters...
Ł1,550.00 (Item reference ARL201)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL POPULAR” 1928 Model No.8902

3" diameter with 1" wide drum, button-operated optional click-check, micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", crazed xylonite handle knobs, curved logo on rear. Slight wobble but absolutely no wear to spindle or bush. Very good condition...
Ł300.00 (Item reference ARL188)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL POPULAR” 1928 Model No.8902

3˝" diameter with 1" wide drum, button-operated optional ratchet click-check (set for right hand wind), micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", xylonite handle knobs. Very slight wobble but no wear to spindle or bush. Very good condition retaining much of original lead finish...
Ł325.00 (Item reference ARL128)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL POPULAR” 1928 Model No.8902

4" diameter with rare 3/4" narrow drum, button-operated optional ratchet click-check (set for right hand wind), micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", lightly crazed xylonite handle knobs, straight line logo. Very good condition...
Ł400.00 (Item reference ARL192)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “AERIAL POPULAR” (ventilated) 1928 Model No.8902

4" diameter with 1Ľ" wide drum, button-operated optional ratchet click-check (set for right hand wind), micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", xylonite handle knobs. Each drum flanges has been expertly ventilated with 12 perforations and thefoot has been slightly shortened. Mechanically near-perfect and an excellent runner with virtually no wear or wobble. A most attractive and practical reel in very good condition throughout ...
Ł340.00 (Item reference ARL180)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “COXON AERIAL” 1896 Model No.4104 (circa 1900, possibly earlier)

4" Coxon Aerial with mahogany back, medium width drum (⁷/8" between ebonite drum flanges), 2 x 6 spokes without Regulating Drag, Bickerdyke line guard (right hand wind). This is one of the earliest Coxons as it has horn handle knobs, a flat forged steel caliper check spring and no "Regulating Drag". It has been examined by several experts who confirm that it appears genuine and original, other than the lineguard hving been repositioned at some time. One of the handle knobs has a small chip (but is not cracked), otherwise excellent condition and mechanically perfect with very little wear, it is a most desirable reel being both useable and highly attractive. Incredibly light - only 7,1/8oz overall with the drum weighing a mere 2,1/8oz!...
Ł1,400.00 (Item reference ARL119)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “COXON AERIAL” 1896 Model No.4104 (circa 1905, possibly earlier)

4˝" Coxon Aerial with walnut back, wide drum (1¹/8" between ebonite drum flanges), caliper click-check, 2 x 6 spokes without Regulating Drag. This is one of the earlier Coxons having ebonite handle knobs and no "Regulating Drag". All original except for the front flange which has been professionally replaced by Garry Mills using all original pillars, spokes and handle knobs. Excellent condition. A fantastic runner which is mechanically perfect with very little wear. It is a most desirable reel being both attractive and highly useable. Weight: 12,3/8oz...
Ł1,200.00 (Item reference ARL120)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “COXON AERIAL” Model No.4108A (circa 1905-10)

4" Coxon Aerial with mahogany back, narrow drum (ľ" between ebonite drum flanges) 2 x 6 spokes, Regulating Drag, optional caliper click-check and tapered dark horn handle knobs. Everything appears genuine and original although the 100 year old mahogany back has had a few minor repairs. Check set up for left hand wind (but could be tweeked for right hand). Mechanically perfect with very little wear. excellent condition. Highly collectable & usable...
Ł1,100.00 (Item reference ARL198)

S Allcock & Co Ltd “COXON AERIAL” Model No.4108A (circa 1911-15)

4" Coxon Aerial with mahogany back, wide drum (1¹/16" between ebonite drum flanges), 2 x 6 spokes, Regulating Drag, optional caliper click-check and xylonite handle knobs. Mechanically perfect with very little wear. Genuine, original, collectable, usable and excellent condition...
Ł1,275.00 (Item reference ARL197)

~~S Allcock & Co Ltd “MATCH AERIAL”~~ Model No.C340 (circa 1965)

4˝" diameter with ⁵/8" contracted drum, this classic centrepin was the last Aerial to be produced under the Allcock name and was listed from 1965 - 1971 only. Features include switch-operated optional click-check, micro adjustable "Regulating Drag", nickel silver spokes (6) & pillars (12), with 10-hole ventilation to front flange, instant drum release, chromed foot, saltwater resistant black paint finish with "bobble" effect on rear. Slight paint loss to rims through normal use. Very good condition with virtually no mechanical wear but a slight wobble to rear flange (not noticable from the front) which in no way affects the reel's excellent performance. Runs smoothly & silently for nearly 1˝ minutes! Supplied in original makers' box (tatty) complete with a high definition photo-copy of 1969 Allcocks Anglers Guide page 183 illustrating this reel...
Ł175.00 (Item reference ARL207) sold to MO - but another Match to be listed soon

S Allcock & Co Ltd “SEA AERIAL” Model No.8916 WITH SPARE DRUM! (circa 1930s)

4" diameter with two extra wide drums measuring 1Ľ" between plates. Designed for saltwater use - the drum and backplate are constructed of black Bakelite and it has extra large line capacity. Otherwise it has all the usual Allcock Aerial features (12 pillars, 6 spokes, button-operated optional ratchet click-check, xylonite handle knobs (not crazed), micro adjustable Regulating Drag and instant drum release) and is equally suitable for freshwater use. Listed in Allcocks Anglers Guide as "also suitable for salmon spinning" although nowadays I would think it would be advertised as "also suitable for barbel, pike & carp stalking"!. This rare and beautiful reel runs straight & true without any noise or wobble from either drum and is mechanically perfect. Excellent condition throughout, two reels in one!
Ł650.00 (Item reference ARL135)

J W Young & Sons Ltd “JOHN WILSON HERITAGE” Model Y2000

4˝" diameter with a ⁵/8" narrow drum* (same dimensions as the classic Allcock's C340 Match Aerial) this is John Wilson's version of the modern Young's Purist II 2041, which in turn was based on the classic Allcocks Match Aerial. These reels are arguably an improvement on the original in that they are machined from solid bar stock, have a high quality anodised (green) finish, stainless steel spindle, ball bearing action, double ventilated drum, detachable line guard, detachable handles (easy to lubricate), brass check lever, drop-forged brass foot and deluxe zippered case. Of course it also has all the classic Aerial features including optional click-check, micro-adjustable "Regulating Drag", quick release drum fitted with 6 traditional nickel silver spokes and grub screw for end-float adjustment. Weight: 10Ľoz (including detachable line guard). Unused mint condition in maker's lined green zip-up reel case and attractive black box with gold lettering, complete with instructions and certificate of authenticity dated November 2005, signed by Jim Young. Serial No.1249 (current RRP Ł275.00)...
Ł240.00 (Item reference ARL209)

*Please note
My measurements for width refer to the actual width of the drum between the drum flanges, and may therefore differ from the manufacturers' advertised specifications!

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