9 Inch Wide Drum Fortuna
Introduction
Hardy Fortuna Andrea’s Patent 9” Extra Wide drum reel formerly the property of Col E T Peel, arguably the most successful British Tunny fisherman ever.
These four photographs show the condition of this rare reel I collected from Charlie Norris when I was on one of my trips to Alnwick. Charlie asked me if I would restore it for him because he did not have enough time on his hands to do the work. The restoration of vintage Hardy reels was passed onto Main Hudson and Charlie by the company and their work continued, with Hardy’s consent, for many years
Stage 1
A visual inspection of part of the reel and a note made of the missing parts
Stage 2
Corrosion on the inside of the spool but nothing to worry about because it was not too deep and the whole reel is made from Duralumin and if it isn’t exposed to sea water the corrosion wont get any worse
Stage 3
A complex spool housing two large ball bearing races
Stage 4
Another view of the condition of the frame and the location pillars for the missing auxiliary brake
Stage 5
A side view of the above photo
Stage 6
A complete strip down of the frame prior to me machining it to receive a 9 inch diameter tube of Duralumin
Stage 7
9 inch diameter lump of Duralumin
Stage 8
The Duralumin machined to give the correct inside diameter of the frame. The top edge of the tube has a very fine stepped thread on it and the plate has a fine thread machined into a groove I cut into the plate.
Stage 9
To add extra strength to the threads I had cut I also used an aircraft grade bonding agent and clamped everything together until the agent had cured
Stage 10
Bonded together never to come apart
Stage 11
Back view of the reel before I cut out the windows
Stage 12
Spindle back in place so that I could test the spool, spin it and check for the correct clearance
Stage 13
A big jump at this point. I became so engrossed in what I was doing I forgot to take photos of several stages of the restoration work. Here you can see I have cut out the windows in the frame, already drilled and tapped the holes for the foot. I had made the auxiliary brake arm and used dry pig skin from an old cooper/hide mallet as the braking medium. I had to make contact with Main Hudson to get photos of the holding and spring system for the auxiliary brake and thankfully he was able to help
Stage 14
Van Brunt Lugs – These are modified original Hardy bronze castings and I had them extended so that they would fit the width of the frame. They are attached by three screws in this photo. I did this so that I could mark out the frame at the opposite end ready to machine flats in the outer rim so that the flats on the lugs would fit
Stage 15
The lugs secured in place at both ends with the correct screws and the harness holes have not been drilled at this stage
Stage 16
Van Brunt Lugs – Harness holes drilled, lugs filed, de-burred, papered and given a light polish. The rest of the reel has been buffed and at this stage, greased, oiled and tested
Stage 17
Side view of the finished reel
Stage 18
Back view of the finished reel
Stage 19
Auxiliary brake view
Stage 20
Underside of the spool which I stripped down and cleaned. I removed the bearings and these turned out to be in great condition so I applied new grease and simply put everything back together.
Below a few extra photos of the finished reel.
I have plagiarized a large portion of this statement from an auction site and it does give some very nice and accurate information. I make no apology for this simply because most of the description is in the public domain. All I have done is to add my involvement in the handling and restoration of the reel
The reel was originally, factory fitted with a brass auxiliary rim mounted brake assembly and Twin Van Brunt Lugs, twin reverse taper ebonite handles on Monel metal crossbar over a capstan star drag adjuster, with steel lock nuts marked OIL, and the backplate stamped “The Fortuna Reel Andreas Pat. No 123405/18 & 19 Ex Wide”
Hardy production records show only 46 of this size of reel being produced between 1934 & 1936, The reel is dated internally 1934 and the Hardy makers initials A.H.W. Arthur Humphrey Wall, This is the earliest dated reel of this size and the only one know to exist with auxiliary brake and twin Lugs. The reel initially was found with a damaged rim and seized parts.
It was sent to Hardy reel engineer Charlie Norris who sub contracted it to me and according to Mark Ross’ book, The Glory Days of the Giant Scarborough Tunny, pages 267-276 it was rebuilt by Charlie but in reality I restored the reel and returned it to Charlie. It took me 115 hours of labour plus the parts I made with a cost totalling £1,498, detailed images of the reel show its rebirth. The reel is seen on the dust cover of his book being used and fished by Col Peel prior to its damage. The original Tunny Championship No 54 Cutty Hunk line was re-wound onto the reel after I completed the restoration.