Frank Fullilove - Owenton, KY
The Frank Fullilove Crown reels are his most well known accomplishment. He was a jeweler in Owenton, KY and sold his reels out of his store. It is not know exactly when he started making his reels, but he received a patent for them on March 14, 1905. Perhaps he felt he needed to patent his reel to protect its design features. There is evidence that he had already been making the reel for a number of years. It is interesting to note that none of the early Kentucky reel makers patented their reels. Granville Medley was the only other Kentucky reel maker to patent his reel. The Frank Fullilove "Crown" reels were made of nickel silver and had an ivory knob. Fullilove only made one known reel model and named it "Crown". Perhaps he did so because he felt it was fit for a king. I agree. The Crown reel did come either with or without jeweled bearings. A note of caution for anyone trying to take off the crank handle. The nut holding the handle on has left-handed threads. The Crown is one of the great reels made by the Kentucky reel makers.
The FRANK FULLILOVE "CROWN" Standard Reel
The Jeweled FRANK FULLILOVE "CROWN" Reel, circa 1893
The Fancy Model FRANK FULLILOVE "CROWN" Reel
The FRANK FULLILOVE Right Hand Crank Handle and Left Hand Cap Nut Threads
The FRANK FULLILOVE "CROWN" Head Plate Inside View
The FRANK FULLILOVE 1905 Patent
The FRANK FULLILOVE Grave Marker
Photo courtesy of Doug Carpenter
Outing Magazine, "Evolution of the Kentucky Reel", by Dr. James A. Henshall, Dec. 1900
Forrest and Stream Magazine, "History of the Kentucky Reel", Interview with J. L. Sage, Jan. 1915
Forrest and Stream Magazine, "More About The Kentucky Reel", Dr. James A. Henshall, Feb. 1915
Field & Stream, "The Kentucky Reel", by Robert Lincoln Page, March, 1930
Field & Stream, "My Old Kentucky Reel", by A.J. McClane, January, 1953