Vintage & Antique Fishing Reels
Antique and vintage fishing reels such as the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000, Pflueger Templar, Vom Hofe 550, and classic fishing reels from Penn and Shakespeare on sale.The oldest fishing reels were essentially just spools on which the fishing line could be stored. That all changed in the 1800's, with the development of high quality multiplier reels, drag mechanisms, and fixed spool spinning reels. Collectors seeking vintage Kentucky reels, New York reels by Ocean City, and early spinners can find all their favorites here, with a fresh selection of antique fishing reels daily.
| Subcategories: | |||
18,460 items
Vintage Garcia Mitchell 440 Spinning Reel w paperwork and box USED
- Details »
- Buy Now for $60.00 »
- Shipping: $8.25
- Time left: 2 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Somerset, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: norcalpicker007
Feedback: 1,175 / 99.7% - See other items for sale from norcalpicker007
PFLEUGER AKRON Vintage MODEL 1893 LEVEL WIND BAIT CASTING REEL - AS FOUND WORKS
- Details »
- Buy Now for $11.99 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 17 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Dunning, NE, USA ZIP 688**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: stoolshed
Feedback: 40,058 / 100% Top-Rated Seller 
- See other items for sale from stoolshed
PRISTINE GARCIA MITCHELL 300A BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE SPINNING FISHING REEL
- Details »
- Buy Now for $60.00 »
- Shipping: $12.54
- Time left: 23 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Somerset, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: norcalpicker007
Feedback: 1,175 / 99.7%
- See other items for sale from norcalpicker007
1972 Vintage Garcia Mitchell 300 Spinning Fishing Reel Collector Rare SN B572423
- Details »
- Buy Now for $50.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 39 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rio Linda, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Seller: a-list_seller
Feedback: 382 / 98.7% - See other items for sale from a-list_seller
2 Shakespeare Wonderflyte No.1765 Push Button Fishing Reel w/ BOXES + Brochure
- Details »
- Buy Now for $49.00 »
- Shipping: $12.80
- Time left: 40 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Somerset, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: norcalpicker007
Feedback: 1,175 / 99.7%
- See other items for sale from norcalpicker007
Vintage Sportfisher 2100 Spinning Fishing Reel Collector Rare Kmart Sport Fisher
- Details »
- Buy Now for $40.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 45 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rio Linda, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Seller: a-list_seller
Feedback: 382 / 98.7%
- See other items for sale from a-list_seller
VINTAGE RYOBI SILVER CLOUD SX2N SPINNING REEL
- Details »
- Buy Now for $25.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 55 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Sahuarita, AZ, USA ZIP 856**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: tacklej_32 Feedback: 9 / 100%
- See other items for sale from tacklej_32
Vintage, South Bend, OREN-O-MATIC, Fly Fishing Reel, No.1125
- Details »
- Buy Now for $12.00 »
- Shipping: $5.00
- Time left: 56 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Arizona City, AZ, USA ZIP 852**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: fuzzy_4706
Feedback: 1,240 / 99.6% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from fuzzy_4706
Vintage Shakespeare fishing reel push button Wondercast No.1773 with pole
- Details »
- Buy Now for $29.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 59 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Cleveland, OH, USA ZIP 441**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: nazar-1999
Feedback: 40 / 94.7% - See other items for sale from nazar-1999
Arm Pick Up Piece Mitchell Reel 496PRO Bail Wire Mount Real Part 81518
- Details »
- Buy Now for $6.18 »
- Shipping: $7.97
- Time left: 1 hr 8 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: France
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: beaffairesfishing44
Feedback: 1,795 / 99.3%
- See other items for sale from beaffairesfishing44
Lot of 2 Bronson Reels Bait Caster w/ Bakelite Side & Hawk 903 LQQK!
- Details »
- Buy Now for $65.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 19 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Ellenville, NY, USA ZIP 124**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: 2010youneverknow
Feedback: 4,728 / 100%
- See other items for sale from 2010youneverknow
Ice Reel Sword Aluminum Alloy Stainless Steel Left/Right-Handed Fishing Wheels
- Details »
- Buy Now for $8.64 »
- Shipping: $1.78
- Time left: 1 hr 21 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: China
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: fairiland
Feedback: 458 / 99% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from fairiland
Vintage Martin Aut Automatic Model No 3 Shore Co Fly Fishing Reel Collector Rare
- Details »
- Buy Now for $40.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 26 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rio Linda, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Seller: a-list_seller
Feedback: 382 / 98.7%
- See other items for sale from a-list_seller
Lot of 3 Vintage Reels Penn No. 85 Ocean City 1600 & Japan Bait Caster LQQK!
- Details »
- Buy Now for $40.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 26 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Ellenville, NY, USA ZIP 124**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: 2010youneverknow
Feedback: 4,728 / 100%
- See other items for sale from 2010youneverknow
Vintage H-I Horrocks Ibbotson Automatic Fly Fishing Reel Collector Rare Model 1
- Details »
- Buy Now for $35.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 30 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rio Linda, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Seller: a-list_seller
Feedback: 382 / 98.7%
- See other items for sale from a-list_seller
Vintage Shakespeare Silent Tru Art automatic fly fishing reel no.1837. Used
- Details »
- Buy Now for $18.95 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 30 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA ZIP 532**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 4 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: simple.shoppers
Feedback: 395 / 99.5% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from simple.shoppers
Lot of 2 Vintage Spinning Reels Garcia Mitchel No. 304 & Trimline Trim-Sport
- Details »
- Buy Now for $75.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 34 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Ellenville, NY, USA ZIP 124**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: 2010youneverknow
Feedback: 4,728 / 100%
- See other items for sale from 2010youneverknow
Vintage Shakespeare 2001 spinning reel Dark Red
- Details »
- Bid on This Item (0 bids) »
- Buy Now for $19.99 »
- Bid: $9.99
- Shipping: $9.99
- Time left: 1 hr 38 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Woodland, WA, USA ZIP 986**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: desal_2057
Feedback: 25 / 93.1%
- See other items for sale from desal_2057
Pflueger Reel Capitol Model No: 1989, great Reel made in the USA
- Details »
- Buy Now for $24.99 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 1 hr 44 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Seattle, WA, USA ZIP 981**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: the_storage_sphinx
Feedback: 1,196 / 100%
- See other items for sale from the_storage_sphinx
Vintage SHAKESPEAR "Criterion Deluxe" 1960AS Fishing Reel & Box
- Details »
- Buy Now for $65.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 1 hr 55 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Mesa, AZ, USA ZIP 852**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: kestraleye
Feedback: 1,168 / 100%
- See other items for sale from kestraleye
1 ABU GARCIA AMBASSADEUR GARCIA 4” WEDGE DECAL TACKLE BOX BAG TRUCK CAR STICKER
- Details »
- Buy Now for $2.75 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 1 hr 59 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Pilot Point, TX, USA ZIP 762**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: alph73159
Feedback: 2,106 / 100%
- See other items for sale from alph73159
Swift-660/F Autocast Spinning Reel w/ Operation Manual
- Details »
- Buy Now for $10.50 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 2 hrs 6 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Dwight, IL, USA ZIP 604**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: jhoy46
Feedback: 1,191 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from jhoy46
Vintage Aqua Spin Fishing Reel Parts Only Made in Japan Rare VTG
- Details »
- Buy Now for $9.99 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 2 hrs 19 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Spokane, WA, USA ZIP 992**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: northwest.salez
Feedback: 574 / 100% Top-Rated Seller - See other items for sale from northwest.salez
Coil Reel MITCHELL 298 Alu 298 GV Nautil 6500 GV Real Part 181447 Bobina
- Details »
- Buy Now for $9.90 »
- Shipping: $16.00
- Time left: 3 hrs 10 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: France
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: beaffairesfishing44
Feedback: 1,795 / 99.3%
- See other items for sale from beaffairesfishing44
Mitchell Sports 498 Pro (Custom Tournament) -extremely rare, only 500 made!
- Details »
- Buy Now for $999.00 »
- Shipping: $33.00
- Time left: 3 hrs 22 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Sweden
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: soders_fotoservice
Feedback: 1,385 / 100%
- See other items for sale from soders_fotoservice
Vintage USSR fishing reel spinning Inertialess Soviet Russian. 60s. Rare
- Details »
- Buy Now for $25.00 »
- Shipping: $17.00
- Time left: 4 hrs 19 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Ukraine
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: falkon5599falkon5599
Feedback: 871 / 99.2% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from falkon5599falkon5599
⭐️ANTIQUE ARROW BRASS RAISED-PILLAR TROUT CASTING REEL 2 1/4" WIDE
- Details »
- Buy Now for $23.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 4 hrs 31 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rio Linda, CA, USA ZIP 956**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: greatvintage4u
Feedback: 270 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from greatvintage4u
DAIWA BW2 CASTING REEL RT HANDED 2BB WORKS GREAT USED SHAPE LQQK
- Details »
- Buy Now for $30.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 5 hrs 1 min
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: York Haven, PA, USA ZIP 173**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: kakstang
Feedback: 19,460 / 100% Top-Rated Seller - See other items for sale from kakstang
Vintage Daiwa Silvercast 212RL Fishing Reel - Left or Right Hand Retrieve
- Details »
- Buy Now for $18.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 5 hrs 13 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Belvidere, IL, USA ZIP 610**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: agnitsch
Feedback: 2,706 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from agnitsch
SUPER RARE C. FARLOW & Co. BRASS CRANKWIND FLY REEL. (71mm DIA, APPROX 2.75 in)
- Details »
- Buy Now for $459.00 »
- Shipping: $35.99
- Time left: 5 hrs 31 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: South Africa
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: tuffyzn
Feedback: 340 / 100%
- See other items for sale from tuffyzn
Early SOUTH BEND FINALIST 1144 FLY REEL EXTRA SPOOL w/FLY LINE (2)
- Details »
- Bid on This Item (1 bid) »
- Bid: $6.79
- Shipping: $8.90
- Time left: 5 hrs 32 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rochester, NY, USA ZIP 146**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: upstateny33
Feedback: 3,268 / 100%
- See other items for sale from upstateny33
VINTAGE LOT OF 3 FLY REELS - PFLUEGER NEEDS REPAIR - CLEANING
- Details »
- Bid on This Item (0 bids) »
- Buy Now for $22.99 »
- Bid: $14.39
- Shipping: $9.30
- Time left: 5 hrs 32 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Rochester, NY, USA ZIP 146**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: upstateny33
Feedback: 3,268 / 100%
- See other items for sale from upstateny33
Vintage Zebco Lancer 4040 Spinning Reel w/ High Power Gear Ratio
- Details »
- Buy Now for $26.00 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 5 hrs 35 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Pensacola, FL, USA ZIP 325**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: usrobe.v7cv4
Feedback: 2,388 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from usrobe.v7cv4
LOOP/KARPENS 3W very rare and early orginal salmon fly reel.
- Details »
- Buy Now for $495.00 »
- Shipping: $35.00
- Time left: 5 hrs 45 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Sweden
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 2 business days
- Seller: 6916sabrina
Feedback: 105 / 100%
- See other items for sale from 6916sabrina
1960s Sears Gamefisher SP/25 Large Surf Fishing Reel Made in Japan
- Details »
- Buy Now for $34.99 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 5 hrs 56 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Littleton, CO, USA ZIP 801**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: grzzhackle
Feedback: 5,648 / 100% - See other items for sale from grzzhackle
VINTAGE SHAKESPEARE COMBO 400 ROTOR AND BAIL #RC-369 CRAZY LOW PRICES
- Details »
- Buy Now for $4.99 »
- Shipping: $3.50
- Time left: 6 hrs 7 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Brooksville, FL, USA ZIP 346**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: recastreels
Feedback: 724 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from recastreels
VINTAGE SHAKESPEARE COMBO 400 USED PARTS KIT #RC-370 CRAZY LOW PRICES
- Details »
- Buy Now for $4.99 »
- Shipping: $3.50
- Time left: 6 hrs 9 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Brooksville, FL, USA ZIP 346**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: recastreels
Feedback: 724 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from recastreels
Garcia Mitchell 302 REEL HANDLE TORPEDO KNOB #2 FIT 302 306 FRANCE 28 mm X 45 mm
- Details »
- Buy Now for $3.41 »
- Shipping: $8.33
- Time left: 6 hrs 12 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Canada ZIP L7E1N1
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: kenyboyskidog
Feedback: 10,150 / 100%
- See other items for sale from kenyboyskidog
Shakespeare 1700 Reel EC With Box And Instruction Folder Vintage
- Details »
- Buy Now for $28.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 6 hrs 46 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Export, PA, USA ZIP 156**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Seller: choppere1
Feedback: 232 / 100%
- See other items for sale from choppere1
Liquid Bearings, TOP 100%-synthetic oil for vintage Ambassadeur casting reels!
- Details »
- Buy Now for $13.99 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 6 hrs 48 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Saint Petersburg, FL, USA ZIP 337**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: kentara9614
Feedback: 26,092 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from kentara9614
Liquid Bearings w/ EXTRA-LONG 3" needle 100%-synthetic oil for Ambassadeur reels
- Details »
- Buy Now for $14.99 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 6 hrs 49 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Saint Petersburg, FL, USA ZIP 337**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: kentara9614
Feedback: 26,092 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from kentara9614
DAIWA WAVE FISHING REEL IN FAIR CONDITION
- Details »
- Bid on This Item (0 bids) »
- Buy Now for $7.00 »
- Bid: $5.00
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 7 hrs 3 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Cape Coral, FL, USA ZIP 339**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: recg-11
Feedback: 59 / 97% - See other items for sale from recg-11
vintage fishing spare line reel mitchell large case & line reel france
- Details »
- Buy Now for $21.75 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 7 hrs 3 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Canada ZIP L0L1K0
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Handling Time: 5 business days
- Seller: agls57
Feedback: 3,471 / 100%
- See other items for sale from agls57
fishing reel mastercraft model 810
- Details »
- Buy Now for $22.70 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 7 hrs 3 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Canada ZIP L0L1K0
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Handling Time: 5 business days
- Seller: agls57
Feedback: 3,471 / 100%
- See other items for sale from agls57
Vintage Shakespeare Silent Tru-Art Automatic Fly Reel Model GD # 1837
- Details »
- Buy Now for $13.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 7 hrs 19 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Lebanon, PA, USA ZIP 170**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: tostau-45
Feedback: 279 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from tostau-45
SOUTH BEND NO.666 FREECAST vintage bait casting fishing reel collectibles
- Details »
- Buy Now for $2.00 »
- Shipping: $11.99
- Time left: 7 hrs 19 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Lakeside-Marblehead, OH, USA ZIP 434**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: daddysboat
Feedback: 4,834 / 100%
- See other items for sale from daddysboat
Vintage Fishing Reel's Bronson Green Hornet No. 2200 & Shakespeare Triumph 1968
- Details »
- Buy Now for $25.99 »
- Shipping: $8.45
- Time left: 7 hrs 25 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Mentor, OH, USA ZIP 440**
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: us1943
Feedback: 1,884 / 100% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from us1943
Lot of 2 Vintage Fishing Reel, Pflueger No 1893 Level Wind + x3C Comet Jupiter
- Details »
- Buy Now for $38.99 »
- Shipping: Free
- Time left: 7 hrs 29 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Highland, IL, USA ZIP 622**
- Shipping Type: Free
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 1 business day
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: thisbids4u
Feedback: 4,639 / 99.7% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from thisbids4u
Meisselbach & Bro. Amateur #1 Reel Lot MB-7
- Details »
- Buy Now for $35.00 »
- Shipping: Based on Zip
- Time left: 7 hrs 31 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Saint Augustine, FL, USA ZIP 320**
- Shipping Type: Calculated
- Expedited Shipping
- Handling Time: 10 business days
- Returns Accepted
- Seller: barracudaguy
Feedback: 5,529 / 99.7% Top-Rated Seller
- See other items for sale from barracudaguy
Wooden Side Cover Plate Fit For Abu Zebco Cardinal 4 44 &44x -Set C
- Details »
- Buy Now for $54.00 »
- Shipping: $6.00
- Time left: 7 hrs 31 mins
- Item Condition:
- Item Location: Malaysia
- Shipping Type: Flat Rate
- Handling Time: 3 business days
- Seller: ngkaheng
Feedback: 980 / 100%
- See other items for sale from ngkaheng
Interested in the history behind these vintage fishing reels? Check out the Fishing Reel History page of the Old Reel Collectors Association.
Extensive information on antique fishing reel collecting, including photos of old reels, historic articles on reel manufacturing, and a very informative Frequently Asked Questions section, can be found at the Antique Fishing Reels web site.
The primitive little wire basket reels that mount sideways on the rod have their own little world: Side-Mount Reels.
Learn the basic types of reels, reel parts, manufacturers, and models of vintage fishing reels at the Reel World.