W. R. Products 'SPEEDIA' 4'' narrow drum, Mk1.3 1946-48. Exquisite restoration by a brilliant craftsman using all original parts to BETTER THAN NEW condition – this may seem an exaggerated claim but the finish truly is better than when it left the factory c. 1947.
All aluminium back and spool flanges, the front with 8 ventilation holes and trademark attractive orange waisted bakelite handles. Rim check lever operates a 'V' spring check. This model is the immediate predecessor to the Mk2 (1949-54) and is the first model to feature 10 line lays (8 previously) and the last to have screwed handle fixing. It also features the brass foot and brass rim mounted check lever which were both replaced by aluminium in the Mk2. This is also the first model to feature the 'raised tit' on the centre boss – previously they had been plain 'pill' shape.
The SPEEDIA had begun to take on a different look with the death of the original senior engineer who was killed by a V2 bomb in 1945. From here on the spool flanges and backplate were cast and finished by hand (new chief was a castings engineer) whereas the first version (flat back) reels (1943-45) had been entirely turned by hand. This is a wonderful example and will be a joy to use and own.
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