David Slater

1880

David Slater worked in the coach making industry but made fishing rods in his spare time. The demand for 'David's rods' steadily grew until he eventually started making rods at 9 Portland Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire. In 1881 he began to make reels as well. He was granted a patent (No. 2551) on 22nd May 1883 for his 'Perfect Combination Center Pin' which was usually made with ebonite back, wooden spool and annular line guard. He applied for a number of Patents but there is no record because he never sealed and completed them. One such Patent was probably the 'Slater Latch', a small latch near the center of the reel plate which could release the drum instantly. Many other manufacturers took advantage of this and incorporated the idea into their reels.
In the early 1890's Slater decided to retire and so sold his tackle business. It traded under the name David Slater & Co. so he must have retained some connection with the company as it expanded into gunmetal reels for fresh water, light sea fishing, as well as mahseer and salmon. In 1894 the business address was 60 Harcourt Street very close to another tackle dealer, Charles Smith & Co., trading in Lombard Street. A surprise advert appeared in the 'Fishing Gazette' on 29th June 1895 offering the company, David Slater & Co., for sale at £3000 due to ill health of the proprietor. Later that year on 31st August the 'Fishing Gazette' announced David Slater had again taken over

David Slater worked in the coach making industry but made fishing rods in his spare time. The demand for 'David's rods' steadily grew until he eventually started making rods at 9 Portland Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire. In 1881 he began to make reels as well. He was granted a patent (No. 2551) on 22nd May 1883 for his 'Perfect Combination Center Pin' which was usually made with ebonite back, wooden spool and annular line guard. He applied for a number of Patents but there is no record because he never sealed and completed them. One such Patent was probably the 'Slater Latch', a small latch near the center of the reel plate which could release the drum instantly. Many other manufacturers took advantage of this and incorporated the idea into their reels.
In the early 1890's Slater decided to retire and so sold his tackle business. It traded under the name David Slater & Co. so he must have retained some connection with the company as it expanded into gunmetal reels for fresh water, light sea fishing, as well as mahseer and salmon. In 1894 the business address was 60 Harcourt Street very close to another tackle dealer, Charles Smith & Co., trading in Lombard Street. A surprise advert appeared in the 'Fishing Gazette' on 29th June 1895 offering the company, David Slater & Co., for sale at £3000 due to ill health of the proprietor. Later that year on 31st August the 'Fishing Gazette' announced David Slater had again taken over

the company and was trading in his own name. Slater continued to develop new reels and by 1912 had moved into Charles Smith & Co. old premises in Lombard Street and continued to trade from there until the 1920's. Slater produced some of the best made reels in Britain which are highly collectable today for their elegant appearance.
Adapted from 'Fishing Tackle - A Collector's Guide - by Graham Turner'.

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