An exceptionally rare Hardy Cascapedia salmon reel, the original model made by Hardy from 1932 to 1939. Inarguably the most desirable of all Hardy reels, and certainly one of the most desirable fly reels ever made, prized and coveted by collectors worldwide. Hardy made only 113 of these reels during its nine year production run and they were designed primarily for the American market to compete with Edward Vom Hofe as the reel of choice on North America's best salmon rivers. This 3/0 size is 3 5/8" in diameter with 1 3/8" spool width. This is the later model introduced in 1937 made of duralumin with black anodized duralumin sideplates, which make up 43 of the 113 total. The reel boasts a 1.75 : 1 multiplying retrieve, and was designed to fish "rings up" positioned on top of the rod with the spool rotating in the opposite direction of modern reels. Good overall condition with some line marks to the duralumin bar and frame edge near the revolving pillar, and there are cosmetic scratches and anodizing loss in several areas on the backplate and the front plate. Several of the screw heads also show signs of wear. The ribbed foot appears unmolested with the patent stamped into its side, and all three medallions are intact (one is rotated slightly) which note the model size and House of Hardy stamp, the royal warrant to King George V, and the royal warrant to the Prince of Wales, respectively. Mechanically the reel is excellent with a smooth pleasing click and the disc to engage and disengage the check works flawlessly. There is a seven position drag adjuster on the backplate and the drag becomes shockingly strong when the adjuster is moved progressively through its settings. The reel packs into an original Hardy leather block case especially designed for this model that is in excellent condition. As collectible reels go they don't come rarer or more desirable than this.

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