Wheeler & McGregor, Milwaukee, WI
The "Milwaukee" reel made by Wheeler & McGregor was the first commerically available level wind reel. It came in two different spool widths and were marked the No. 3 and the No. 4. The reel was sold by the Wilkerson Co. in Chicago for only a few years. It came in a nickel silver (German silver) and nickel plated brass versions.The reel has two patent dates of May 29th and June 26th, 1894 marked on the reels. The patents were for the level wind and for the direct drive of the crank handle to the level wind worm gear, respectively.
The NO. 3 MILWAUKEE Reel, circa 1895
The NO. 3 and No. 4 MILWAUKEE Reels, circa 1895