Hello, I'm fairly new to the collectibles side of the craft; all my vintage gear gets a healthy dose of saltwater right alongside their modern counterparts... ;D That being said, I've been poring over the postings here and you folks have inspired me to start a more serious collection--beginning with Penn's 6/0 Senator models. Ideally, I'd like to have a clean and accurate representation of each generation 114/114H that was produced, along with their corresponding boxes if possible. The following photos are of a 50's era reel I thought to start with, but now I'm not certain if it's a worthy candidate.
For one thing, the spool, star, and right-outer trim ring will need to be replaced--in addition to polishing the handle and buffing out a few light scratches elsewhere on the chrome. The box itself has no rips or tears, but it does have bad oil stains and what appears to be a few runs of paint over the picture. Mechanically the reel is mint; it's the aesthetics that concern me. Do you think a better representation could be had, or would I still come out the same if I sourced period-correct parts to replace those corroded and damaged? What's a good rationale for making these types of decisions?
Appreciate the insight as my game plan for now seems to be if it looks old, appears decent, and is priced right--then buy it...;)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/20160212_144401.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160212_144401.jpg.html)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02-12%2014.48.31.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02-12%2014.48.31.jpg.html)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/20160212_185914.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160212_185914.jpg.html)
Thanks, Chad
PS,
All I did before the photos was a light cleaning, oiling of the bushings, and removal of corrosion from the spool.
Other than that, the reel appears as it was when I received it.
Chad
That looks like a keeper to me Chad. Those rings look really nice.
I bought one of these a long time ago in great shape.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_22211_zps17337e87.jpg)
Its not perfect, but I think its plinth worthy. ;)
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_22061_zps54f05105.jpg)
Nice photos Daron, that reel you're showing looks almost like a twin!
Chad
I'm not a collector in the sense that other people are collectors. I collect reels to fish.
My philosophy is life is short, might as well not drive yourself crazy. I realized that nothing can ever be perfect; there is only near perfect. I used to be a real perfectionist. I gave that up.
I think that reel looks pretty sweet. I don't think something has to be perfect in order to be collectible, it just has to mean something to you.
I think you should just keep as it is. I wanted to clean up a 6/0 I had. I ordered the parts and they ended up cost more than I paid for the reel! Now I'm trying to get my money back out of them as I have a bunch of bills to pay....
Chad,
I am not a collector, although I own far more reels than I can ever use!! ;) From your pictures of the reel and box, I would say your reel is definitely worthy of being in a collection. Either way congratulations on a great reel!!
TomT
Hello Chad,
The reel you have shown here is a collectible. The condition it is in makes it desirable, having the box adds to that. The box can be dated to 1957, 58 or 59. Deciding what to do with any collectible is totally up the individual. There are collectors that want their pieces to shine better than when they came out of the factory. Others are more concerned with keeping a survivor out of the garbage. There really are no rules, you do what makes you happy. In terms of resale, keeping the reel in the best working order it can be brought back to using the original parts, or you may want to turn it into a Tani Tank, so you can catch fish with it that it was never intended for. Either way,the criteria is to enjoy the project any way you can.
Welcome to this site. You find some of the best minds in the sport right here in these pages, and I am here too!........................................ ;D
agree with above advice. that is a nice reel, very collection worthy. if a nicer one came along then great. I recently bought a more recent 6/0 114 in unfished condition. it is very nice, but still not perfect, small scratches, etc. and the top is missing off the box. I would like to replace the box, but enjoy the reel as is. I feel that nice penns will hold and appreciate in value. and yes, you have come to the right place for advice/help. oh, and continue to post pics as your collection grows
Nice reel and box Chad. Those 1950's boxes are my favorites. Great find !
Fish!!
Shew, that is an awesome piece. I would stick it on the shelf, you can get another 114 HL or 114 HLW for around $75 - $100 (Used - USA Made) on eBay or your local craigslist. Either way you choose, nice reel!
Quote from: coastal_dan on February 18, 2016, 02:35:34 PM
Shew, that is an awesome piece. I would stick it on the shelf, you can get another 114 HL or 114 HLW for around $75 - $100 (Used - USA Made) on eBay or your local craigslist. Either way you choose, nice reel!
Dan, I like the way you think.. ;D
Chad
I would fish it! Reels That Are not Fished are like cars or bikes that are not driven.
guns that are not fired, just preserved resale value for the next owner. Semper Fi, Richie
Quote from: Penn Chronology on February 18, 2016, 01:05:12 AM
Hello Chad,
The reel you have shown here is a collectible. The condition it is in makes it desirable, having the box adds to that. The box can be dated to 1957, 58 or 59. Deciding what to do with any collectible is totally up the individual. There are collectors that want their pieces to shine better than when they came out of the factory. Others are more concerned with keeping a survivor out of the garbage. There really are no rules, you do what makes you happy. In terms of resale, keeping the reel in the best working order it can be brought back to using the original parts, or you may want to turn it into a Tani Tank, so you can catch fish with it that it was never intended for. Either way,the criteria is to enjoy the project any way you can.
Welcome to this site. You find some of the best minds in the sport right here in these pages, and I am here too!........................................ ;D
Hi Mike, I really appreciate your input and info on the reel. You put to rest my concerns about this reel being collectible-quality. I suppose browsing through all the beautiful examples shown on this forum influenced me to set the bar way up in the stratosphere..;)
Quote from: FatTuna on February 13, 2016, 07:40:49 AM
I'm not a collector in the sense that other people are collectors. I collect reels to fish.
My philosophy is life is short, might as well not drive yourself crazy. I realized that nothing can ever be perfect; there is only near perfect. I used to be a real perfectionist. I gave that up.
I think that reel looks pretty sweet. I don't think something has to be perfect in order to be collectible, it just has to mean something to you.
I think you should just keep as it is. I wanted to clean up a 6/0 I had. I ordered the parts and they ended up cost more than I paid for the reel! Now I'm trying to get my money back out of them as I have a bunch of bills to pay....
Thanks for your input. I also also have a tendency to be a perfectionist at times, sometimes it's worth it in the sense that it brings laser-like focus to a task or problem; Other times it can be a stumbling block preventing one from moving forward, it's good to be reminded of that.
Quote from: TomT on February 14, 2016, 05:59:44 AM
Chad,
I am not a collector, although I own far more reels than I can ever use!! ;) From your pictures of the reel and box, I would say your reel is definitely worthy of being in a collection. Either way congratulations on a great reel!!
TomT
Thank you Tom!
Quote from: vilters on February 18, 2016, 01:57:45 AM
agree with above advice. that is a nice reel, very collection worthy. if a nicer one came along then great. I recently bought a more recent 6/0 114 in unfished condition. it is very nice, but still not perfect, small scratches, etc. and the top is missing off the box. I would like to replace the box, but enjoy the reel as is. I feel that nice penns will hold and appreciate in value. and yes, you have come to the right place for advice/help. oh, and continue to post pics as your collection grows
Thanks for your perspective vilters, I ended up taking the reel apart for a full cleaning and service, will post some photos when I get a chance. Good luck with your new 6/0.
Quote from: Max Doubt on February 18, 2016, 02:00:58 AM
Nice reel and box Chad. Those 1950's boxes are my favorites. Great find !
Hi Ted and thanks! Older Senators in good condition are very hard to find where I'm at. Most of them saw duty for countless hours on the water and have the battle scars to show it. I believe it was one of your posts that sparked my interest in collecting and restoring older Penns. The photos shown in that post would have done old Otto proud.
Chad
Quote from: surfcaster on February 19, 2016, 12:21:30 AM
I would fish it! Reels That Are not Fished are like cars or bikes that are not driven.
guns that are not fired, just preserved resale value for the next owner. Semper Fi, Richie
Quote from: DaBigOno on February 18, 2016, 05:19:35 PM
Quote from: BMITCH on February 18, 2016, 03:20:22 AM
Fish!!
X2
Quote from: BMITCH on February 18, 2016, 03:20:22 AM
Fish!!
Thanks guys, I will admit that strapping this reel onto an old Sabre or Harnell 550 and going fishing is a tempting prospect.
Chad
Cleaned and serviced. I wiped the spool down with Reel-X and loaded it with some vintage blue-spot dacron I had kicking around..:)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/20160217_173529.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160217_173529.jpg.html)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/20160217_174020.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160217_174020.jpg.html)
Chad
Put that baby on the shelf Chad, as Mike mentioned you have a reel from the mid 50's. I actually thought it was a couple of years older, I purchased 4 of them new without boxes 4 years ago from the same guy that sold me those Fenwicks. I think I gave him $50 a piece and sold all for $150 a piece.
It still bothers me that I sold them, the money is long gone and so are the reels.
The seller told me that his dad purchased those around 1954-55. You have a unique clicker button and the oil port on the handle is larger than the later models.
Nice reel!
Looks Great Chad.
Chad, Sal is right IMO.
There is something different about the clicker. Also the shield around the oil port on the handle knob is the large one that was discontinued mid to late 50's after that the shield around the oil port got much smaller. The Penn logo on your reel is below the eccentric at the 3 o'clock position. That logo moved up top around 1959/60 on all senators. The red knob on your reel is the least common and yours is in great shape. If you want a 114 to fish with, spend $40 and buy one that isn't so darn nice. ;D ;D
Ted
Damn, that thing cleaned up nice.
Sal, after weighing everyone's input, this reel is officially the start of my collection. It sounds corny, but I put the old dacron on only because I love how it looks..;) I feel your pain on selling those 114's, did the same thing to my set of swirly Lee-Pro plates and still regret it to this day.
I also agree with you and Ted about the clicker button. The thin ring stamped just inboard of its circumference was what stood out to me when I first examined the reel, but I mistakenly thought that feature was normal for older models. Looks like I have a lot of homework to do; I already contacted Mike about his books.
Ted, appreciate the additional info regarding the knob and oil port. This reel also has what appears to be a chrome-plated steel main gear. I have never seen anything like that before in a Penn, is this also something you would consider to be uncommon?
Chad
Quote from: cbar45 on February 19, 2016, 06:47:16 AM
Sal, after weighing everyone's input, this reel is officially the start of my collection. It sounds corny, but I put the old dacron on only because I love how it looks..;) I feel your pain on selling those 114's, did the same thing to my set of swirly Lee-Pro plates and still regret it to this day.
I also agree with you and Ted about the clicker button. The thin ring stamped just inboard of its circumference was what stood out to me when I first examined the reel, but I mistakenly thought that feature was normal for older models. Looks like I have a lot of homework to do; I already contacted Mike about his books.
Ted, appreciate the additional info regarding the knob and oil port. This reel also has what appears to be a chrome-plated steel main gear. I have never seen anything like that before in a Penn, is this also something you would consider to be uncommon?
Chad
Not sure about that one Chad. I know that Penn made lots of internal changes thru the years and the only people that can answer that question retired from penn 50 years ago lol.
I have seen lots penn gears made from numerous different materials. The era of your reel is the peak of the Harley Earl era where if it didn't have major bling, then it didn't sell as well, and it wasn't just about cars, it was everything. Every kitchen appliance was polished chrome or had chrome trim. Your reel is no different, they just had more bling back then.
Ted
Very interesting Ted, I did not realize my reel coincided with that time period.
I wonder if the plating may have been a selling point in line with the times, or perhaps an attempt at corrosion resistance?
It certainly doesn't add anything strength-wise.
Here are some photos of the gear in question. Notice how some of the plating is flaking off, exposing the base metal beneath:
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/20160224_163911.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160224_163911.jpg.html)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/unchained_colors/Mobile%20Uploads/20160224_164322.jpg) (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/unchained_colors/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160224_164322.jpg.html)
It's hard to tell, but in person the color of the main gear is a few shades brighter than that of the familiar stainless pinion.
Chad
Those are plain steel gears, the pinion is stainless steel...very early set. When that plating does peel off, it will be very hard to keep the rust under control, but with regular maintenance it can be done.