William Billinghurst Side-Mount Fly Reel
William Billinghurst made and sold his reels in Rochester, NY. There are two models of Billinghurst side-mount fly reels that are usually found. The oldest has a single patent date of Aug 9, 1859 stamped on it. The more common model also has the 1878 date stamped on it. These reels were light weight and fairly fragile. The earliest models were all brass and later ones were nickel plated brass. Some models have been found made of nickel silver (German silver).
The Billinghurst Reel, New York, Circa 1879
1881 Conroy, Bissett & Mallesson's Catalog Page