OK, dumb question here....eccentric lever directions

[Gulfyakr]

I have taken these reels apart to the last tiny screw and dog spring and reassembled them, but just realized today that the freespool lever directions differ between my Jigmasters and my 309. Jigmasters go into freespool when the lever is moved backwards(these are all right hand retrieve reels, BTW). My 309 pinion, however, retracts into the freespool position when the eccentric lever is moved forward. I don't think reassembly went awry somewhere, and I have the 309 right side plate off now and all looks OK, but....

If this is the correct orientation, does anyone know why Penn designed these similar machines to freespool in a slightly different manner?

[Bunnlevel Sharker]

All the new ones are like that

[George4741]

Gulfyakr,
Your 309 is assembled correctly.  All of the reels that use the 11-60 eccentric jack function that way. 

[Gulfyakr]

Thanks....can't believe I've just noticed that

[erikpowell]

I first noticed that with my Del mar and Long Beach out at the same time... I thought it must be based on some ancient SoCal rivalry between fishermen.

[Gulfyakr]

You know, it could be as simple as that.

Was it a "levelwind versus conventional" design choice at Penn?