Justus and Ark

A description of the reels appeared in a newspaper article May 1927: SOMETHING SPECIAL- The 'Justus' Casting Reel. The strongest and best casting reel in the world. The barrel Is made of well tested and seasoned wood, the inner flange of which is backed with heavy brass, preventing warping. The back is polished cast aluminium and unbreakable. The adjustment is of the spring and nut principle, with a set screw to prevent nut from falling off. Brass line guard, self-looking, adjustable at four angles- 3 1/2 inch, 32/6; 4 1/2 inch 40/-.

The Nottingham reels were branded 'Justus' or 'Ark' and came in only 2 sizes. The Ark had 'Just' written in mirror image on the inside of the back-plate. They were produced in 4 inch and 3.5 inch. Len Butterworth described a reel which matches the backless Justice Side cast Reels. When I was 15 (1930) and working at Jim Hamilton's as a tent maker, Hamilton secured the agency for M.B. Rag. Rag's sent up a reel, I don't know who made it; it could've come from England as Rags were the agents for Allocks for the UK. The reel has had the best ratchet I have ever seen, Jack Hamilton gave me one to try as he knew I was a junior member of A.F.A. THE RATCHET down the center of main spindle a hole was board. Inserted in this hole was another small spindle which had a screw type nob attached. When the nob was turned it pushed up a small bearing to a cog. To tighten the ratchet it just meant turning the screw a bit more if you wanted a light ratchet then only a small turn is required. Very effective. The reel had a jump up action not a Ferguson patent. It had one fault, it was a very heavy reel.