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 Greg Reynolds |
Hardy Marquis Markings |
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Posts: 1972 06/21/2009 11:41 Orvis Database Founder |
I recently aquired a 1990s-vintage 2 7/8-inch Marquis marked "Made by Hardy Bros Ltd England"--well after they started using the "Made by House
of Hardy" on the other reels. Did they ever switch to the new mark on the later Marquis reels? I can't tell from the catalog photos.
Thank you... |
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Shoeless Joe |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 991 06/21/2009 15:01 |
Greg Reynolds wrote:Greg ... pictured below, is a Marquis bearing the 'House of Hardy' script. This particular reel dates back to late-1998 ... I swapped the sterile all-gray drum and modern drag regulator knob (pictured) for polished-rimmed and "arrow" counterparts, respectively. It is commonly held that the "Brothers" to "House" transistion occured late in 1985, but judging by your '90s Marquis, apparently there were exceptions. 
The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him ~ GK Chesterton |
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ibookje |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 1591 06/21/2009 15:34 |
I never understood why the Marquis doesn't get the attention like the other Hardy models.
Nice reels. |
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Greg Reynolds |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 1973 06/21/2009 16:27 Orvis Database Founder |
Thanks Joe. It came as new with the original box, blue vinyl case & paperwork, all of which are marked "House of Hardy." Perhaps the reel dates
closer to the transition period.
Jay, in my case, I managed to ignore the Marquis reels for about 30 years, buying most of the Lightweight range, several vintage Uniquas, a Perfect and a St. George Junior repro instead. However, I've come to love the little Marquis. It has a lot of character and I'll probably buy others as needed. |
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kimk |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 674 06/21/2009 16:41 |
I have a #5 Marquis which was ordered for me by a local fly shop in, 95 or 96 I think. So I suspect it was fairly new inventory. The reel is marked Hardy Bros.
but the original blue zipper case is marked House of Hardy. This does seem to have been a transition period.
ibookie -- you are spot on, the Marquis is a marvelous little reel and never got the recognition it deserved. But don't spread it around. The lack of recognition is a boon for us who are buying. I see there are a few on the auction site. AgMD |
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Shoeless Joe |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 992 06/21/2009 22:48 |
kimk ... just out of curiosity, does your #5 have the raised spindle boss akin to the one on my 2/3 or is it like the earlier black spindle-nut cap found on
Greg's #4?
Secondly, regarding both of your blue vinyl reel cases ... do they have brass zippers? Lastly ... Greg, I should have mentioned this earlier, but that certainly is a fine photo up top. The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him ~ GK Chesterton |
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Greg Reynolds |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1976 06/21/2009 22:54 Orvis Database Founder |
Joe, thanks and the case does have a brass zipper.
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 Riffling Hitch |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 83 06/21/2009 22:59 |
I own several of the marquis/SA reels and there are some differences that I have always wondered about. I am understanding that the SA's were first but
some of the marquis versions change. I have a late dating Salmon 3 that has the marquis marked horizontal, like shoeless joe's pictured, rather than
curved to the reel circumference. I think those might be the last run. I know the light grey spool with silver rim were the first and then they moved to the
dark grey and silver rim but I have also seen some solid colored spools without the silver rim. I have also seen some brass foot marquis like my salmons but
have seen some with the alluminum foot like the sa's. I also have the SA anniversary system 5 and it has the screw in spinal rather than the plastic nut
cap.
If anyone can shed some light on the slight differences I would be interested. I really like the reels. Russell |
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kimk |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 676 06/22/2009 16:55 |
Black plastic "lump" over the spindle back end. Brass zipper. The original spool is gray centered with a silver rim. I also have two spare spools
which are all gray and one which is all silver. If memory serves-- the Marquis #5 sold for $180 back in 95 or 96. I traded a shotgun for mine. Most of the
other models were similarly priced. I always thought that one of the reasons the Marquis never got the respect that it deserved was price. There were a lot of
attractive reels just over $100 at that time and until you picked up and held a Marquis in your hand, it was hard to understand why it should cost more.
Considering the recent re issue of the Marquis in Salmon sizes and the re issue of other models, I wonder if the Brothers Hardy might be planning a re issue of the Marquis in the smaller trout sizes. Given the popularity of smaller rods and lighter lines, in bamboo and graphite, I would think that Marquis in 2/3, 4 and 5 could become quite popular if they were given the proper exposure/marketing. AgMD |
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pszy22.fiberglassflyro... |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 6 06/22/2009 18:10 |
If it helps, here's a early 80's SA
 
"People tend to get the politicians and the fishing tackle they deserve" - John Gierach, Fishing Bamboo
Fountainhead Fly Fishing Furled Leaders Just in Case Fly Rod Bags |
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Flyman615 |
Hardy Marquis reels | #10 | ||
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Posts: 3286 06/22/2009 19:13 |
Fellows:
I have related before on this Forum, the friendly, ongoing "reel rivalry" between myself and my fishing partner of many years. He used and preferred the "System or Marquis" reels, while I was a "Lightweight Series" guy for many years. As for me, I didn't like the plastic spindle boss and tension adjustment knob. And fragility of the palming rim was disconcerting. Nevertheless, recently I acquired a very nice SA System 4 reel with original case and an extra spool. And I find I like it after all. Better late than never! Best regards,
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WatercolorMan |
Marqus Markings | #11 | ||
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Posts: 1421 06/23/2009 03:44 |
I have one of the newer versions of the reel with the darker colored spools.
Very usable reels and a great sound when the line is being ripped off the spool. Alan
Last Edited By: WatercolorMan 06/23/2009 03:47.
Edited 1 time.
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CBO |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 59 06/23/2009 05:26 |
Riffling Hitch wrote: I have two of these, they seem a bit rarer then the other models? If anyone knows more about the solid coloured spools that match the grey of the rest of the reel I'd be interested to hear about it as well. When were they made, were they a 'special' model (maybe for the eastern market?) or could it be the solid colour only indicates the spool on the reel is a spare spool? |
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Shoeless Joe |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 996 06/24/2009 18:06 |
CBO wrote:CBO ... if you're referring to dark-gray frames/spools, those would have been regular production run Marquis reels, manufactured from approximately 1996-97 right up until 2001. The Marquis (frame) pictured in my earlier post was such a reel, until I swapped the updated drag regulator knob and (solid) gray-colored spool, for older-style and polished-rim counterparts, respectively. When I queried a co-worker in Alnwick as to why Hardys discontinued the polished-rim, his reply centered around Japanese-made Marquis clones that were enjoying a receptive audience here in the States ... gray in color and also sporting polished-rim drums, Hardys simply did not want their Marquis reel to be mistaken for those less-expensive and somewhat inferior clones ... enter, the solid gray drum. The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him ~ GK Chesterton
Last Edited By: Shoeless Joe 06/24/2009 18:10.
Edited 1 time.
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Riffling Hitch |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 85 06/24/2009 18:42 |
Here is another question I have wondered about. Do the marquis spools fit the ll bean marquis reels? I know that the SA reels are interchangeable with the
marquis up to the SA 10 but I have never heard if the ll bean reels (GQS?) that dated to the late marquis production with solid colored spools and drag knob
like joe's will interchange with any of the marquis. I know most of them I see are disk models but there is pawl models and maybe the disc fits the
marquis disc spools.
Anyone? |
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CBO |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 60 06/26/2009 08:44 |
Thanks for the info Shoeless Joe, much appreciated!
I suspect at least one of my reels is older and got a full grey spare spool at a later point. The regulator is the same as what you switched your reel to and the foot is brass ribbed which makes me think it's an older reel. The "Made by Hardy Bros Ltd England" on the back supports that thought as well. Does anyone know when they changed from a plastic to an aluminium spindle cap on the back? Looking at the #4 Greg posted and reading Joes comments could it be it's not a '90s reel but earlier? I have the 1984/5 catalogue here and the reels in there read Bros Lts. on the back and have the plastic spindle cap. I have a similar reel to your reel Greg, just a bit bigger.It also has an aluminium foot and the spool is the same grey as the back side and has a polished rim. I never figured out exactly when it was made but my best guess is late '70's early '80s. The pouch it came with is black with a brass zipper so maybe it's a bit earlier then yours? I'd rather not rely on having to date the reel by the pouch though as I have no idea of knowing if that's the original pouch or not. Both the #4 and the #2/3 you guys posted look very nice btw! Very nice picture Greg, the reel looks great on that rod laying in between the leeves. 
I had the chance to buy a new #4 last year that I passed on, stupid! I got an MK IV instead but think the #4 might have been nicer to fish ... I know you guys are coming from. I started fishing the Lightweight series reels as well but think the Marquis is definitely underrated and it's a very nice reel to fish. Can't make up which Hardy is my favourite but the Marquis certainly ranks very high! I really like the palming rim and the reels are super durable which I think is a nice thing as well. Greg, I'm sure you'll get a few more once you fish this one a little 
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