A scarce Thompson No. 500 fly reel, 3 3/8″ diameter and set up for RHW. These reels were made in California in the late 1940’s and similar in style and performance to the classic Hardy Perfect, (but considerably more scarce). This one is in excellent overall condition and shows few signs of having been fished. It does have a scratch in the finish near the tension adjuster and there is a little blemished area on the frame edge near the edge of the winding plate, but otherwise the reel is exceptionally clean. Circular line guard and full-length, unmolested smooth brass reel foot measuring 2 1/2″ in length. The No. 500 was built to handle 6/7/8 weight lines. This drag system was unmatched in the American market back in the 50’s. This is the ultimate steelhead and light salmon reel for single handed rods. This one also comes in the original Thompson box with the paperwork inside, something that I’ve seldom seen. A very nice example of this scarce reel.