penn 10/0/12/0 question

[darkarcher1175]

hello, i have a 116a and 116L but i was wondering if Penn ever made them with the marlin pictures like the 117/118 have and if so does anyone have any side plates they would consider selling/trading?

[1badf350]

They did prior to the mid 50s or so when the spools ran in bushings instead of ball bearings. Not sure why they stopped. Maybe they didn't want to pay to have the engraving done on the new tailplate molds when they switched.
Your best bet would be to just buy an early reel.