by readyfisher » September 21st, 2010, 12:58 pm
I did some research on another site , and it turns out that the "badge" refers to James S Oneill , owner of a large hardware store in Fredericton,New Brunswick. Tackle was often sold through hardware stores back then , and today in more remote locations. That area is in the middle of fishing country. How it got to Tennessee , where the previous owner was from, is a mystery. His father gave him the reel ; perhaps the father was up there in Canada on a fishing trip of his own.