100 A very rare Hardy Fortuna Fly 3 ½” saltwater fly reel,

early leaded alumin model (later models of duralumin construction) with twin ebonite handles on shaped brass cross-bar arm mounted below a circular milled tension wheel, brass foot, Andreas patent anti-reverse drum mechanism and rear knurled nickel silver raised tension adjuster, backplate stamped make and model detail, wear from normal use and in (later) un-named block leather case, an unusual variant in that the 1924-26 leaded models were fitted with an additional spring and pawl check mechanism (see Drewett J.: Hardy Brothers.. pgs.192-4), this model has only the pressure tension adjuster so is likely a transitional model dating from circa 1926 (see illustration) £2500-4500