Hardy Hercules Brass Fly Reel 2 1/2"

A wonderful little Hardy Hercules all brass trout fly reel, 2 1/2" in diameter. Circa 1890's this reel has the raised front housing, the original ivorine handle and both the maker’s logo and the "rod in hand" logo on the winding plate. Superb condition with a fine patina throughout, and free of any major defects, with the only possible exception being one part of the frame edge on the backplate where there is an ever-so-slight bend toward the center of the reel that you can only see if you look for it. Nice smooth ratchet clicker. A fine example of an early Hardy!