The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

These 2 beautifully engineered 4½" centre-pins are both marked on the inner reel foot with the initials T. K. and have been attributed to Tommy Kelsey. The build quality is excellent and the spools are transferable. The 12 spoke reel pillars are 66% threaded top and bottom while the pillars on the 6 spoke are all riveted. The 12 spoke is marked "TK 10 2001" and the other "TK 2 2002". This second reel has a hand written label attached to the inner back plate. Neither Garry Mills or Rupe Attwood know anything or have had any contact with the elusive Tommy K. They know of him but that is all. Considering the Youngs / Allcocks connection between Garry and Rupe we can safely dispense with the myth that TK worked for Allcocks. All routes appear to head back to my neck of the woods and Specialist Tackle of Romford.
So this asks the question, apart from being a very talented reel maker, who is Tommy Kelsey? Did anyone in TFFLand ever meet him?

Nice to see an Aerial with a lever to work the a/r....

That badge does look very like a Specialist Tackle one...are they actually identical?

He seems to be one of several makers who were known via Specialist Tackle. I too have a 12 spoke but with rim ratchet.

Terry Daniels is another maker.

View:- http://www.collectablevintagetackle.co. ... -centrepin for more Special Tackle reels.

Darren who repairs Optonics and worked in Special Tackle may know?

Apart from the obvious, 12 spoke and Micky Mouse badge, the are identical to the mm.

I have a reel from Specialist Tackle which looks very similar, reel foot, ratchet mechanism etc.
Inscribed TD (Terry Daniels? ) dated 22/3/93







Pete

I find it difficult to believe that any reel maker worth his salt would go on to roughly scratch his initials and date on the reel. This reel maker was no fool.

There are narrow and wide drum examples of this reel each with TD and a date scratched on the foot fitting. It seems much more likely that TD was the owner.

I would love to know where the statement that TD = Terry Daniels originated and hear anything known about Terry Daniels (angler and/or reel maker).

Deaf Cat wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 8:51 pm ......
There are narrow and wide drum examples of this reel each with TD and a date scratched on the foot fitting. It seems much more likely that TD was the owner.

I don't know if the inscription TD stands for Terry Daniels or not but in the case of the reel I've pictured it's definitely not the owner's initials. This reel came to me from a good friend who bought it directly from Specialist Tackle.

Pete

And now, as if by magic, I am made to doubt my previous statement!

(And thank you CrayCane, so these must be makers’ marks.)

There is currently a reel on that auction site described as a Tommy Kelsey reel which has “TK 6 2002” scratched on the foot fitting.

I have been scouring the interweb for information on Specialist Tackle and Free Spirit. Both Terry Daniels and Tommy Kelsey are posited as reel makers but I am still searching for anything concrete about either of them.

Similarly the relationship between Specialist Tackle and Free Spirit remains foggy!

I shall continue searching!

I have the No:5 of TK dated 2002 which is identical - - - except for 2 tiny screws on the backplate - - (possibly for a line guard) - - to the one on that auction site!

Darren's father once owned Specialist Angling - the best person perhaps with the answers.

Maybe Tim Lennon at https://www.collectablevintagetackle.com/ could help with information on these makers.
I think I've seen a number of Specialist Tackle reels go through his website.

Pete