Bretton-built 306-39910 JC Higgins for Sears

[CincyDavid]

This reel arrived today, decent shape, but I have never seen this particular style of crank handle on a Bretton. The older ones like this that I have seen previously have a rounded-bullet shaped base, not the flat one on this reel. Not quite sure what the story is, but it seems to work OK.

[CincyDavid]

I belatedly noticed that the metal nameplate is cockeyed in its opening. I don't know if it was sloppy assembly or it fell off and whoever reattached it just slapped it on there.

[oldmanjoe]

       " Friendly Banter "   I would skip a nap today and fix it .

[CincyDavid]

" Friendly Banter "   I would skip a nap today and fix it .

I know it's gonna bug me, but I don't want to deform the metal plate, it's very thin. I was expecting it to be a foil label but it's actual metal.

[akroper]

I have successfully removed a number of metal labels/tags, even the jumping trout on DQ spinners, by careful, judicious use of a heat gun to soften whatever adhesive was used to attach them.  I soften the adhesive and then slide an exacto knife under the tag to lift them off.
Your mileage may vary.  Careful and judicious are the key words.

[Midway Tommy]

You can also do it as akroper suggested using a hairdryer if you don't have a heat gun. I've done it numerous times. It's not difficult, it just takes a little time & patience. I use epoxy for glue rather than contact cement because I want them to be waterproof over the long haul.