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The Fishing Reel Patent Archive

The mechanical heart of American angling

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Bevel-gear reel

Patent drawing of a fishing rod reel showing a metal reel-case with an internal geared spool, a folding crank handle that pivots into the rod, and a sliding line guide along a slotted case, with a separate close-up of the detachable crank and screw shaft.

IMPROVEMENT IN FISHING-LINE REELS.George Trowbridge Copeland · September 25, 1877

United States patent drawings and specifications are works of the U.S. government and are in the public domain — they were never copyrighted. Download them, print them, frame them. Our commentary and descriptions are © 2026 The Fishing Reel Patent Archive.

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