Boxes and Literature Page

On this page we will show some pictures of the reel boxes, box papers, catalogs, schematics, parts lists and different literature we have acquired that was used by the Bronson Reel Company throughout the years.

  The first are the maroon boxes, which would be the oldest.  Most were used pre-1930. The red, white and blue boxes were introduced in 1930. The first Gold Seal reel boxes we believe were used from 1931 to 1935? All of them had “Bronson Reels sell by the Thousands” on the top of the box. These were basically color coded to each individual model.
Next would be the silver, red and black boxes, which housed the Gold Seal reels after 1935 or so. The other less-expensive reels of this time came in the orange, red and black boxes, from about 1935 to 1938. After those, all would come in the newer black boxes up to the change when True Temper bought out Bronson in the 1960 ‘s. From then on they would all come in the blue boxes. The rare yellow box shown below is believed to be the “Intro” box for the “Lashless” model, C.1940. It’s the only example we have seen to date. The last boxes used were the “blue” versions, like the one shown below for the Invader.
Bear in mind there were exceptions along the way. For example, the see-through Warrior models came in a beautiful yellow and orange “Sunburst” box, while an old-style maroon box for the Retriever wasn’t used until 1938.
The two brown cardboard boxes shown together are factory repair boxes. This is what you got your reel back in from the factory after it was sent in for repairs. They were a little larger than the normal size 100 yd. casting reel box. The one on the left is dated 1955. We can not read the date on the other one.
Also shown below is what is believed to be an “intro” box for spin-cast reels, circa 1958-1959. It housed a first year “Savage” model, but might have been used for other models, as well. It’s the only example we’ve ever seen. It also came with unique instructions and box catalog we had never seen before (shown farther down this page under “Box Papers” and “Catalogs”).

  Now this is something different. Bronson also used these bags to ship back repaired reels from the factory. Back in the good old days (this one dated 1952), when we could ship items like this and not have to worry about a tracking number. OR DAMAGE! Try shipping something in a cloth bag today. Pictures are courtesy of Ron Kurtz Jr.

  Shown below are some of the front covers to several of the Bronson & J.A. Coxe catalogs that we have come across so far. If you have one that is not shown, we would like to buy, borrow, rent or trade for it. They are not necessarily shown in order. It’s believed that catalogs from 1936 and 1937 do not exist. Starting in 1968, Bronson and Coxe reels were only offered in True Temper catalogs, which we won’t show here.

Just discovered: The 1946 Bronson/Coxe Catalog (Mailer), with Letter, shown below.

  Here are some box papers and inserts. Most are for the 100 yd. casting reels.

  These screwdriver wrenches were included in boxes for a few select models, like the No.4700 “All-Star”, several different salt water models and some Symploreels.

  Found this in a 1932 Belknap Hardware catalog. It’s a counter display stand that holds an actual partially disassembled reel. The back of the stand listed info on the Bronson line of reels. Very unusual and early.