www.fishing-reel-research.org

Home Glossary Manufacturers Patents Trademarks Search Contributors
   

Bronson Reel Company

Bronson, Michigan

The Bronson Reel Company was organized in June 1922 by E. J. McMahon, who formerly had been the sales manager of the Shakespeare Company. When the factory started there were 15 people working in a small store building on North Matheson Street in Bronson, Michigan. By 1950 they were employing 300 people during peak times, and had a payroll in excess of $750,000.

In 1928 they built a new 15,000 square foot factory on North Douglas Street (shown to left). By 1948 the building had been added on to until it was three times the original size. Just prior to World War II they had 135 different reels in their line, with a price range from 25 cents to $750 for the largest J.A. Coxe Salt Water reel. In 1931 Bronson purchased the famous Meisselbach-Catucci line of reels, and continued to produce many of the Symploreel models until WW II. They also purchased the previously mentioned J. A. Coxe Reel Company in 1934 (date not confirmed). The Coxe reels were some of the most famous big game reels ever produced, and Bronson/Coxe also developed a line of high quality level wind casting reels.

In the 1940s and 50s Bronson claimed to be the largest manufacturer of fishing reels in the world. They had produced up to 9,000 reels in a single day, and throughout the early 1950s they were building in excess of 1,000,000 reels per year. They held over 62 patents for reels.

The Company was sold in the 1970s, and closed down a short time later. During their heyday they produced reels for every taste and pocketbook, but in later years specialized in lower priced serviceable reels, and generic reels that were sold by some of our major mail order companies such as Sears Roebuck and Wards.

Back to Manufacturers

If you have any additions, corrections, etc., please email: Fishing Reel Research

All material on these pages is © 2005 by Fishing Reel Research Organization