Milward Gyrex - help with ID please?

DoctorFly

I've just picked up this aluminium Gyrex fly reel.

It's 3in diameter, marked "Gyrex Made in England" on the rear, and what looks like "M.C.Lo" moulded into the inside. It also shows die-casting marks, and has a check system I've never seen before.

The only other Gyrex reels I've seen have been bakelite casting reels.

Can anyone plese help me date this one?

Many thanks.

Doc

Ron Mc · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

prewar reel.

Definitely shows up in my 36 and 37 Milward's cats.

DoctorFly · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ron, you're a star!

Regards,

Doc

Ron Mc · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject:

I've been not-so-earnestly looking for one of these - been outbid on some very nice ones over the years... Cool

DoctorFly · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject:

I know that Milward's reels of the '50s and '60s, such as the Flymaster, were made by J.W. Young & Sons, but there seem to be significant differences between the manufacturing process of this and other pre-WW2 Young reels (certainly those few in my posession Embarassed

).

In addition to from the "M.C.Lo" marking, this seems to be a relatively sophisticated die-casting, incorporating the rear "bulge" for the spindle mounting, as well as the base mounting for the single spring of the check. (The "on-off" mechanism also involves an almost flattened V shaped path to ensure it is locked).

I'm sure that Ron has more pre-war Redditch reels than most of us (individually) on both sides of the Atlantic, so can you, Ron, or anyone else, cast a light on Milward's reel manufacturing in the '30s?

I love buying reels that teach me more. Very Happy

Thanks,

Doc

Ron Mc · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:24 am Post subject:

no question they sold Young-made reels (maybe mostly) as did Farlows and Many Other catalog merchants selling Redditch tackle (and Heaton-made reels...).

But likewise, Farlow's did make a few of their own reels. Certainly Milwards was making rods and we wouldn't put it past them to make a few models of reels - especially with a stamp like that one.

Young-made Milward's Flycraft, c. 1937 (at least that's the year they coined the name)

37 cat - every reel on this page was made by Young

Trisantona · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:52 am Post subject:

Hi all,just found this site,looks great, Millwards also made a Gyrex casting reel which was a centrepin with a casting brake along the lines of the earlier Hardy reels,there were two models of which i have one of each,one has six holes in the face and the other which i think is rarer has twelve and also a braking handle to stop a running fish.would be interested if these are in your catalogue Ron mc. Smile

Ron Mc · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject:

1936

Trisantona · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:35 am Post subject:

Thanks for that Ron,mine must be a no 10 and 12,interesting that the brake almost doubles the price,will have to give em a go fishing,tried once but could only cast about 15 yds.probably need a much bigger bait to get distance,will keep my eyes peeled for one of those at the bottom of page,they look really good,thanks again. Smile

Ron Mc · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:56 am Post subject:

the Easicast is a joy. It works extremely well.

Trisantona · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:03 am Post subject:

Mine have the same braking system but lack the end float adjusting screw so probably don't spin so well,they have a fair old bit of float for a real of this quality,considering all the other gadgets on them. Wink