Accessories

Accessories

 

The number of accessories sold by the company was literally in the hundreds but we will mainly concern ourselves with those that were made by the company.    

Unbreak Rod rings

A patent was applied for on the 15th of August, 1913 and granted on the 30th of October of the same year for an improvement in fishing rod rings. Percy Wadham had claimed that his improvement consisted of inserting a rubber ring between the wire cage and the porcelain ring. This ensured that if the ring received a jolt there was less chance of the ring breaking. If it did again due to the nature of the construction it was much easier to replace the porcelain or agate ring without removing the ring from the rod. The patent was void because the sealing fee was never paid, however, this did not prevent the company from claiming the patent for many years.

Due to the rugged nature of the construction of the rings, the company called them “Unbreak” and were recommended for use on sea rods. A second range of rods rings was offered and these were covered in celluloid and were suitable for all types of rods and sold in the same five sizes as the Unbreak range. For small fly rods, extra small sizes were offered. The company continued making rod rings into the 1960s

 

Unbreak Folding Minnow Trap.

According to the catalogues, this was protected by Registration but I have been unable to find any trace of a registration number. This celluloid trap was a major improvement over the traditional glass trap. Made in three sections it folded down to 3 inches and was offered by the company for many years. It weighed 3oz as opposed to a traditional glass trap of the same size weighing 18oz. 

I suspect that the celluloid traps that we see in other tackle catalogues were made by the company and sold through the wholesale side of the business especially when under the control of Milwards. The size stated in the catalogues is 8½ inches long when extended 4 inches in diameter at the large end and 3 inches at the small end. 

The company claimed that the tapered trap was much more stable in a current than a parallel trap. The bait was positioned in the water flow with a piece of red wool at the perforated end acting as the attractor. The trap was introduced sometime between 1911 and 1913 and appears in the 1962 catalogue.

In addition to the folding minnow trap a solid parallel one of similar size was offered appearing in the 1937 catalogue and being available as a special order by in 1957.

Eel Traps

During the 1914-1918 War with Britain suffering food shortages the government encouraged alternative uses for parks and parkland to move over to agricultural production. It was the same with fish and fishing with a committee being set up to utilise freshwater fish as an alternative food. Marston was so keen and published various articles on eel fishing and even how to smoke them. Wadham came out with his invention the Newport eel trap in 1917. This model did not appear in the 1920 catalogue. 

In the 1911 catalogue, the company offered the Simplex folding wire eel trap in three models and various sizes. I do not know if the company made these models but in the 1923 catalogue, we see the introduction of the Avon Eel trap. These were made from galvanised steel with a diamond piercing and covered in Bitumen paint. I suspect that as Percy Scott was making galvanised steel punts for Percy Wadham it would not have been too much trouble to make galvanised Eel traps. The company issued a pamphlet “How to catch Eels” to anyone who bought an eel trap. They did not appear in the 1937 catalogue.

X-Ray Live May Fly Box

The term X-Ray was first used for this item and would in years to come be applied to many items of tackle that they sold. This was launched in 1912 and the first mention of the item is when Marston reviewed it in the Fishing Gazette in ………….. 1912. 

He describes it as “perfectly transparent, admirably ventilated and designed”. It was made in three sizes 3, 4 and 4½ inches and was ideal for carrying not only May Flies but also Creepers, Stone Flies, Bluebottles and Harries. It was also offered with the option of having non-perforated sides and was missing from the 1927 catalogue.

 X-Ray Bait Can

This was made from transparent celluloid with wire-bound end caps weighed 5½ oz. It was 8 inches long, 5½ inches wide and 3½ inches high. Additionally, it was available in black celluloid to special order. It first appeared in the 1913 catalogue and was deleted from the 1927 one.

X Rays Safety Cast Box

Another item that according to the company was registered and appeared in the 1913 catalogue for the first time. This was a circular cast case made from a green material with a transparent top and a circular “hospital fly ward” in the centre. It was sold in two sizes 4 and 4½ inches and was only featured in the 1913 catalogue.

 X-Ray Damper Cast Box

Similar to the safety cast box but with the circular centre section missing it was introduced in 1923 but only in one size 4½ inches. The cast box came with two felt pieces and the base was later changed from green celluloid to Tortoiseshell Celluloid. It last appeared in the 1962 catalogue.

X-Ray Cast Pouches

These were introduced in 1912 with the No 1 pattern being the top of the line. It consisted of a leather cast pouch which had six celluloid pockets each with an expanding gusset. This had the advantage over other products on the market that the pockets did not tear when trying to put a cast into it.

It was 4½ inches by 4¾ and was available in three grades of leather, Best Pigskin, Best Russian and Best Basil.

The No 2 pattern was the same as the No 1 except that the pockets were fixed rather than removable.

The No. 3 pattern was similar to the No. 2 except that the backs of the pockets were lined with chamois leather and had a flap to prevent the ingress of dust and dirt.

X-Ray Salmon Fly Envelopes 

This was granted Registration No. 649104 of 1915 and was a transparent envelope to hold and protect fully dressed salmon flies. Made in 6 sizes to hold hooks from size 8 to 6/0. The bottom of the envelope had a celluloid strip so that the name of the fly could be written in pencil. It was dropped from the 1923 catalogue.

Lines

The company sold many different lines and they were listed in the 1911 catalogue. However, I suspect that they did not make any of them but I have included them because it is possible that they spooled their own lines and did their own packaging.

The fly lines sold were The Vectis in level and double taper for trout, The Kelson a double tapered salmon line and The Achilles in level and double taper for trout and salmon. The first two were the superior quality and were plaited silk and enamelled “under the vacuum process”. Both lines were hand-finished and unlike others, no varnish was used. The Achilles it was claimed was as good as many companies’ best lines. The Achilles and the Kelson were dropped from the 1920 catalogue.

Various spinning lines were sold with The Newport the best quality line being made by the vacuum process like the Vectis fly lines.

The Avon was a high-quality enamelled spinning line dark green in colour and sold in three sizes and two lengths. It was dropped from the 1913 catalogue.

The Hendon was a plaited silk line but undressed and sold in five sizes and two colours tan and green, it was dropped from the 1920 catalogue.

The Newport was also sold as an 8-plait undressed silk line but was nothing like the quality of the boxed Newport line as no guarantee of the breaking strain was offered. The company recommended the Dreadnought knot as being ideal to ensure that the knot strength was equal to the breaking strain.

By 1923 only the Newport 8 plait lines were listed and in the 1927 catalogue, no lines were sold. In 1937 and 1938 a fly line was listed the “Shooting” double tapered silk line. It was sold in three sizes and came in a Wadham box.

For sea fishing, two lines were offered the Medina, a plaited Flax line in 9 sizes and two colours green or brown and a cable-laid sea line. This was in 3 sizes and in green only. They were dropped from the 1923 catalogue.

The Compact Collapsible Line Drier

In October 1907 Percy Wadham applied for a patent for an “improved devise to facilitate the drying of fishing lines and the like”. This was granted in April 1908 possibly being made by Percy Scott and sold in the company’s catalogue from 1911 to 1920. On the same day, Wadham and Scott applied for the patent for the Meteor reel. 

Some people might wonder what happened between the granting of the patent and the issuing of the first catalogue. Well, Allcock handled the wholesaling of the dryer and the Fishing Gazette of May 23rd 1908 announced the fact. The dryer folded up and could easily fit in a pocket, taking up a space 4 by 5 1/2 inches. The fact that the reel seat swivelled meant that the line could be evenly distributed and the line left on the dryer until it was needed for use.  As the reel was fitted to the reel seat once the line was dry it could be left on the device until it was needed, no need to clamp it to a desk or rod before putting it back in use. The dryer was made from steel and polished brass.

Marston did as he liked to, made suggestions for improvement and recommended that the reel plate be half an inch longer as he had a problem getting the reel to fit. He also suggested that the grip used to hold the reel be widened to enable a salmon-sized reel to the used. It appeared in the Allcock catalogues up to 1915 but was missing from the 1919 issue.

The first decade of the twentieth century saw a plethora of new line drier designs and it was not until I started to write this section that I had any idea of just how many new designs came on the market. Everyone had their own ideas on how a line dryer should look and work. Wadham was not the first to come up with a collapsible line drier but he claimed it “will fold into a small compass” It was sold in two sizes and was replaced in the 1923 catalogue with the Crosslé line drier sold by Milwards.   

Traces

I think that the company bought steel wire traces covered them with transparent celluloid and sold them in 1 and 1½ yard lengths. They could also have various coloured celluloids applied to the order. They were only offered in the 1911 catalogue.

Fluted Hook.

Percy Wadham designed a new hook and applied for a patent but I have not been able to track any record of the patent being granted. It was designed for sea fishing and sold in two sizes 2/0 and. This differed from standard hooks in that the cross-sectional area looked like a girder and the barbs were on the outside. This according to the claim resulted in better hooking due to a true dead centre pull and less damage to the hook bait. The bulge in the shank of the hook allowed the gut to sit in the recess. This was dropped from the 1920 catalogue.

Celluloid Bound Hooks

With Percy Wadham looking at every potential use for celluloid, it is no surprise that he very quickly saw the advantage of using celluloid to attach hooks to gut rather than the traditional silk. They were available in a variety of colours including red, green, brown, white or transparent. They were harder wearing than silk, especially when used on bigger hooks. The famous angler J H Bazley reviewed the hooks. 

In the Sports Echo, dated April 22nd, 1911, that well-known angler Mr J. H. A. Bazely remarks on celluloid-bound hooks as follows:

“The Dreadnought Reel Co., Ltd., of Newport, I. W., have actually pressed celluloid into use for wrapping Hooks to gut. I have a few samples before me as I write, the wrappings being in red for worm fishing, white for maggot and paste, and transparent for any or every bait the angler uses. The Hooks are beautifully tied quite as neat, in fact, as any, I have seen done with silk and liquid wax-and the bindings possess the additional advantage of being more durable, with a much less tendency to fray than the older fashioned wrappings.”

 

Flies

 

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The Unbreak Oiler

Celluloid oil bottles were very popular after the first decade of the twentieth century and I suspect that Percy Wadham was responsible for making most of them His offering was the Unbreak. It had a small brush and a leather toggle to attach it to the waistcoat and could not be split. It was introduced in the 1911 catalogue and was still being sold in the 1939 catalogue. 

Celluloid Pocket Oiler

The company sold another manufacturer’s bottle but in 1923 they introduced their own celluloid oiler for use on reels and rod joints.

 

 

Fly Boxes

The X-Ray No. 1 Aluminium Dry Fly Box with Jack in the Box Lids.

This was introduced in the 1911 catalogue and I suspect that the basic box was made by others possibly Richard Wheatley with the Dreadnought Casting Reel Company providing the insert to individualise them. Hardy introduced the Girodon Pralon dry fly box in 1895 with fifteen compartments and metal lids. The lids were on a spring and a little pressure on the lid sprung them to hold the lid down and they would lock. The company improved this by providing a celluloid top enabling the angler to see what flies were in each compartment and fitted a celluloid cover in the lid behind which the casts fitted. There was also the option of having a pair of tweezers fitted in the lid and on the bottom of the transparent lid was a small opaque area where the name of the fly could be pencilled in. One variation on this box was to remove the lid and replace it with felt.

The X-Ray No. 2 Corrugated Aluminium Dry Fly Box

This was introduced at the same time as the No. 1 box and was slightly smaller but with a corrugated top and bottom. It also had a hasp to fasten the lid and was slightly more expensive than the No. 1 box.

Eyed May Fly Box.

I do not know what material the box was made from as it does not say but it had six compartments and a transparent celluloid lid. It could also be used as a bait box and came in three sizes. Introduced in 1911 it was dropped in 1920.

The Landem Landing Net.

This was invented by Percy Scott, the arms of the net folded flush against the handle providing a light and portable landing net. The arms of the net were made of steel and were covered in xylonite to prevent rusting. It was only made in one size but could be fitted with the company’s telescopic handle or a plain bamboo one. There were two qualities of net available silk or green cord net. It was included in the 1911 catalogue and sold to Hardy Brothers after a meeting on a train between Percy Scott and John James Hardy.

The Wadham Telescopic Landing Net

This was the premier net sold by the company. Percy Wadham had designed nets in the past and in particular the Paragon net that he sold to Allcock. This net according to the catalogue took five years to design before it was eventually finished. The net itself was made on the island and was a neutral green colour. The steel frame was lighter than a comparable wooden one, triangular in shape with two arms fitted into a net block. Because the front was steel it did not give like leather and could be used to push through weeds. The handle was the same as the Landem net made from Aluminium Tube and covered with dark green Xylonite. There was another Aluminium Tube inside the first and this had a square profile to stop it twisting when being used. It was featured in the 1911 catalogue and like the Landem net did not appear in the 1927 catalogue.

Seat Box

This box was designed by Percy Wadham in 1903 and was introduced into the 1911 catalogue. The box was made of three-ply wood and then painted in imitation Wicker either in Olive Green or Brown and sold in two sizes. It did not appear in the 1920 catalogue but did reappear one more time in 1923. Also for one year in 1923, a plywood square box was sold for pier or sea fishing but this did not have the imitation wicker on it.

The Wadham Spinning Lead.

This lead was designed by Percy Wadham to reduce line kinking it was made in sizes from ¼ to 2 ounces and appeared for the last time in the 1923 catalogue along with the Ideal spinning lead made by Milwards which would replace it.

The Waterworth Sea Lead

This was invented by C. Worsley Waterworth for paternostering and deep-sea fishing and was included in the 1911, 1913 and 1920 catalogues only. The advantage that this lead had over others was that it was possible to remove sections of lead without removing the line. Each section of lead was held in place by a clip simply by pushing down on the loop at the top and then compressing the clip so the lead could be slid off. 

    

Casting Weights.

With both Percy Scott and Percy Wadham taking part in various Casting Tournaments it is no surprise that they should offer casting weights for sale. They were only featured in the 1911 and 1913 catalogues. The Rubber Bag Casting Weight was made by the company out of canvas and rubber and was the official weight for the British Amateur Casting Club for the 1½ and 2½ ounce events.

The American Tournament Swivel Leads could be supplied covered in white celluloid so that the caster could see the weight easily. They were sold in six sizes from ¼ to 2½ ounces. The celluloid casting plugs were sold in the same sizes but obviously much cheaper.

Bait & Tackle Boxes.

The Adjustable Bait Box No. 1 was according to the catalogues covered by a registered design and was launched in 1911. It looked like many other bait boxes of the day except that it had celluloid partitions that could be moved to accommodate any size of bait. The lid was fitted with a gusset envelope made from celluloid and was used for carrying traces. It was sold in three sizes and was dropped from the 1923 catalogue.

The Adjustable “Clip” Bait Box No. 2 was similar to the No. 1 but it had sliding clips to hold the baits rather than the partitions and because of this was only suitable for hard baits. It was sold in three sizes but only appeared in the 1911 catalogue.

The Adjustable Bait Box No. 3 was made from aluminium rather than black Japanned tin and was only sold in one size. It was ideal for holding baits for trout spinning and had the same internal features as the No1 box.

The Adjustable Bait Box No. 4 was introduced in 1911 and had the divisions running the length of the box so that larger baits could be carried. It was made from black Japanned tin and had two celluloid envelopes that fitted in the lid. It last appeared in the catalogue in 1920.

Tubular Bait Boxes

These consisted of celluloid tubes in three sizes that held an individual bait. There was a leatherette case like a tool roll that held either two or four tubes. The tubes could be bought individually as well and were ideal for carrying loose baits in the pocket.

Sundry Novelties

Listed under this section was an eclectic selection of weird and wonderful items manufactured and sold by the company.

The waistcoat pocket Pike Gag was registered by the company and was 2½ inches long when folded.

Anti-Kinker

This was made out of celluloid and was suggested to the company by Leonard Crosslé. It was placed between the reel line and the trace and was especially useful when spinning in shallow water as it kept the bait off the bottom.

Ground Bait Grip

Another design suggested to them by Leonard Crosslé was the ground bait grip and this one was a registered design. It was made out of celluloid and was invented to overcome the problem of casting out and the ground bait flying off in one direction and the hook bait in another. It was placed on the line above the top shot and the ground bait squeezed around the grip. The bait was then cast out with everything landing in the desired spot. It was sold from 1911 to 1920.

Fly Vice

Claimed to be the company’s own design it was the neatest, handiest and cheapest on the market. It was sold from 1911 to 1923

New Pattern Shot Carrier

This was a two-section celluloid tub that held two sizes of shot. At each end was a revolving cap so that the shot could be removed. It was registered and was sold in the 1911 and 1913 catalogue.

Celluloid Shot Carrier 

Introduced in the 1920 catalogue this was a four-inch long tube that held a single size of shot. It had a celluloid spring that ensured that the shot was dispensed one at a time. It was dropped after the 1923 catalogue.

Fly Tying Materials.

At the suggestion of R. B. Marston the company designed two boxes suitable for holding fly tying materials. The first was the “R.B.M.” No.1covered and lined with xylonite it had two partitioned trays with X-ray covers that were to hold hackles, feathers hooks etc. The lower tray was fitted to take tweezers, silks, vice and varnish. The bottom of the box was for capes wings etc. all held in transparent gusset envelopes.

The “R.B.M.” No. 2 Pocket Box was suitable for carrying in the pocket and was made of aluminium fitted with various compartments to take hackles, dubbing hooks silks etc. and was ideal to take on a fishing excursion. It only appeared in the 1911 and 1913 catalogues.      

Percy Wadham having trained as a naturalist was in an ideal position to supply feathers and it is interesting to note that he offered among others skins of the Blue Chatterer, Golden Bird of Paradise and many other endangered species.

Isaac Walton Relief’s

The cover of the first five catalogues had a relief of Isaac Walton on the front cover that was modelled from the portrait in the National Gallery. The company offered to supply these made out of Ivorine and mounted on a board. It was only offered in the 1911 catalogue.

Jewellery

The company offered to mount any salmon fly listed in the catalogue on a pin or broach and in addition, they could mount it in a celluloid oval case with the name of the fly. All of the Nature Series of baits could also be mounted on a pin or brooch. Hat pins described as “Aquarium Hat Pins” were offered and these consisted of two small fish with weeds and rocks mounted on a clear transparent celluloid oval. In the 1914 catalogue addendum, the range was extended with chars being available. They were dropped from the 1923 catalogue.

Collapsible Drinking Cup.

In 1913 the company introduced a ½ pint collapsible drinking cup made from xylonite along with a ¼ & ½ pint non-collapsible version. It was only listed for one year.

Lightweight Celluloid Folding Bait Can

Another innovation for 1913 was the folding bait can eight inches in diameter and one inch deep it extended to 4½ inches and came with a celluloid top so that the angler could see his baits. It was only in the 1913 catalogue.

Catherine Wheel Gut Fly & Point Holder.

This was introduced in the 1913 catalogue and was registered. It consisted of a coiled circular tube fitted to a washable celluloid tablet. You simply pushed the bunch of flies in and removed one as required. It was sold in three sizes and had the advantage that it could also act as a damper for the gut simply by putting water in the tube. It did not appear in the 1923 catalogue.

Unbreak Dead Bait Bottle.

Introduced in 1911 it was another registered piece of tackle it was available in three sizes and had a seal top lid so that it would not be attacked by Formalin or Glycerine substances used to preserve dead baits.

Celluloid Float Caps

This was offered in the 1913 catalogue and consisted of a tin with one dozen assorted-size float caps in various colours. To increase the size of the cap all you had to do was put some boiling water over the cap and widen it with a stick while it was still pliable.

The Humwell Pike Gag

This was introduced in 1914 and was manufactured at the suggestion of one of the company’s customers. It had the advantage that a very wide gape could be achieved, locking the mouth of the fish open. Once the hooks were removed the gas was easily disengaged.

Treble Hook Protector.

This was introduced in 1914 upon the recommendation of Prince Pierre D’Arenberg the famous French tournament caster. Made from celluloid it enabled a spinning bait to be carried in the pocket. It was only available for this year.

Celluloid Clip

This was another invention of Leonard Crosslé that the company took up. It was ideal in the making of paternosters, for fitting a flying lead or for ledgering.

Celluloid Disgorger

This was introduced in the 1920 catalogue and was 4 inches long with a hole at one end so that it could be attached to a piece of string.

Sea Tackle

In 1920 the company introduced two pieces of sea tackle a 3 Hook Paternoster and a Straight Pull Sea Boom. These were made out of transparent celluloid and due to the nature of their flat construction swung whichever way the tide was flowing.

The View all Celluloid Bait Boxes

Two models the No. 5 and No. 6 were introduced in 1923. They were made out of celluloid and the No. 5 had seven partitions to take as many as eight baits up to 1¾ inches long. The swivel end of the trace was kept in place by means of a rubber band and the trace could be wound around the box keeping everything neat and ready to hand.

The No. 6 was the same size but had three partitions running along the length of the box enabling four baits up to 3½ inches to be stored. Both boxes were withdrawn from the 1927 catalogue. 

X-Ray Bait Box No. 7

This box was made from Tortoiseshell pattern celluloid with a clear celluloid lid and came in two sizes. As it was made from celluloid it was particularly suitable for saltwater fishing as it could not corrode. It was only available in the 1923 catalogue.

“Roll Up” Minnow Case.

On similar lines to the Tubular Bait Boxes, it was ideal for carrying baits spoons and spinners. Sold in three sizes the pockets were made of celluloid and they were fitted on to rexine. It only appeared in the 1923 catalogue.

Celluloid Floating Weight.

This was designed by Percy Wadham and was a very ingenious device. It worked on the principle that sometimes fish would be feeding sub-surface and a conventional lead would take the bait below their feeding depth. This weight enabled the bait to be cast out and would either float or be sub-surface. It was possible to fill it with four different fluids to give four different weights. It was sold in two sizes and could be supplied either filled or empty. The fluids were Medicinal Paraffin, Water, Glycerine and Water glass. It was only sold in the 1923 catalogue.

Line Greaser

In 1923 the company introduced its own line of greasers and again they turned to celluloid to find the answer to the problem of how to stop the grease seeping through the traditional leather case. By using celluloid they overcame this problem. The item was last shown in the 1939 catalogue.

Natty Ledger Attachment

Introduced in 1923 I do not know if this item was made by the company but it was used in conjunction the invisible Paternoster and other sea fishing traces.