3" is a wonderful size, but if there's a problem with the prewar reels, it's the length of most of the brass feet - 2-5/8", which fits a limited number of applications. Most modern reel seats won't take a reel foot longer than 2-1/2".
I have several with 2-1/2" and 2-3/8" feet - the 1917 Hardy St. George I treasured and fished until its value burned a hole in my pocket had a 2-7/8" foot.
Next to Rupe Atwood, who has all the JW Young wholesale catalogs, I'm the JW Young historian - certainly on our side of the pond.
They say the best of both worlds is an American-made (cane) rod with a Brit reel, and I certainly agree with that sentiment.
The reel I showed above is a Young pattern 8, the mini-Cooper of prewar fly reels, in that, they made scads of them, sold under everybody's marque.
FE Thomas of Bangor, Maine imported the Young pattern 14a and 15a, and sold them along side Thomas Special rods as the Thomas Special reel. (Several other US and especially Canadian importers of Young reels).
Thomas Special rod and could be Thomas Special reel, but marked a Lyon & Coulson (of NY) Varden
Young pattern 16a on another Thomas Dirigo rod
The reel is marked as an Allcocks Stockbridge
2-1/2" Young pattern 5 on Phillipson MF66 glass
I think this reel is marked for Cummings
2-1/2" pattern 1 on Lami 605
the reel marked JB Walker