Penn 920 with no lube

[johnachak]

I just picked up a very nice used Penn Levelmatic 920 off eBay. When I received it, the reel was pretty smooth but louder than others I have and have played with. I opened it up and (unfortunately, I didn't take any photos) there was no lube of any kind to be seen. Not believing this, I disassembled it. The only sign of any lube was a small smudge of varnish on the eccentric block. The bearings, gears, etc, all clean (Of lube or varnish) and dry. The levelwind and pawl, bone dry. I have seen dried up / varnished lube in older reels, but none? Never before. All I did was wipe off the metal powder where things had chafed due to no lube. I lubed it up, reassembled it and WOW, it's really smooth. I just wonder if anyone else ever had an experience like this?