Post questions about this reel in this thread
As I mentioned in the 26 thread, I had a neat one for my daughters Christmas gift this year...this little beauty belonged to a Montgomery Wards Executive named Laurence Odell...and I'm not sure he ever fished it! Here he is with his wife Mabel (not sure who the younger gent is).
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/Laurence%20Henrt%20Odell%20and%20Mabel%20Marie%20-%20VP%20Montgomery%20Wards%20in%20the%201950s_zpsp60octss.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/Laurence%20Henrt%20Odell%20and%20Mabel%20Marie%20-%20VP%20Montgomery%20Wards%20in%20the%201950s_zpsp60octss.jpg.html)
I received it in decent condition...but from the original photos I wasn't sure if it was fuchsia or a lighter maroon...so I took the gamble and bought it for a very fair price. Upon opening the box I was thrilled!
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/FullSizeRender_1_zpsmj8cu208.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/FullSizeRender_1_zpsmj8cu208.jpg.html)
So, upon removing the line I was pleased to find the spool in perfect condition...so I kept going...
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/IMG_8020_zpsqxvg4gpj.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/IMG_8020_zpsqxvg4gpj.jpg.html)
A final inspection and cleaning of the parts confirmed my original thought...this reel was rarely if at all ever fished...no wear on internal items and just a hint of the original grease.
So now back together and a bit higher exposure as this color is very hard to photograph...the 'lipstick color' is fantastic...
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/FullSizeRender_4_zpsec4k0cgj.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/FullSizeRender_4_zpsec4k0cgj.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/FullSizeRender_3_zpsgw8gspek.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/FullSizeRender_3_zpsgw8gspek.jpg.html)
Note the reflection in the spool tensioner...that is a metal shelf system in the background with my car washing bucket :o
Best part of all was my daughter screaming "A PINK REEL!!!!" Christmas morning ;D
I love the fact that this reel comes with some history too...makes in even more valuable to my daughter and I. Thanks for reading!
Beautiful color on that unique reel Dan, but I feel as I've seen it already :-\ ;D
That's a beauty Dan. "lipstick" has always been my description of this color too.....just not the lipstick you'd want to see on your wife or daughter :D :D
Very nice piece!
That's a really cool piece.......fish it a couple times and retire it......it would be a shame to infect that Monofil with boat rash......Bill
No water time for this little gem...I'm building a shelf for her room and it will sit there for a while...
For a show piece on a shelf, that was $61.50 well spent.
looks like a candy apple red to me... beautiful color!
Andy
Looks lika a pink-lemonade shooter to me. Really nice.
Glad she likes it.
Ron
Great score Dan! I've been hunting this reel...they are hard to find at a good price. 8)
Monofils and Squidders are some of my favorites! The first couple of pics are 27's and a bunch that were converted to 27's. Most have 29M-27 or 29M-100 or 29L-100 spools. All have handle upgrades and my Custom Acrylic knobs.
I have all the original parts for each and every one of these reels cataloged so I may return them to their original condition and models at any time.
Sorry on the last pic as I got a bit carried away. I haven't had them all out in a while! There's some 25's and 26's that shouldn't be in this post. There are several of the rose 27's and 1 or 2 are the lighter ones. There's also more boxes in the stash and some are totally complete with wrench, literature, and grease.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I.
Have a great evening, .. Lou
Holy Buckets Lou...those reels are beautiful! :o
Lou... :o...do they have a Monofils Annonymous? You may need to attend :D. Beautiful collection.
Dan, I know I need help. But, the fact that I'm aware of it makes it all OK ??? Correct ;D.
I also have a few unique Monofil customs that I've been working on for over a year. Hopefully I'll finish them soon and post them up. They're real lookers!
All the best, .. Lou
Lou, those look great! I'm also a fan of the smaller reels as Squidders, Monofil and Surfmasters. Oh I almost forgot the 9, 109,10...you know what? I just realized I like them all ;D
Your custom knobs really set them off. Most give you a great feeling being able to create your own little treasure.
Very nice Lou.
Sal
Thank you Sal! You have been the inspiration for some of my work as well as many others here and its appreciated!
It all looks like we're on the same boat, but we don't need help, do we ???
Have a great day, .. Lou
Now I know where all the monofils went, lol. Love the dressed up ones with your handles ...it adds a little panache to a Monofil. ;)
Beauties Lou!
Dom
Very impressive Lou.....plugs, handles, and Monofils.......what else do you have up your sleeve ???....Thank you for sharing brother....Bill
Hello,
I picked up this reel a few years back and was wondering if anybody could give an approximate age of when it may have been built by Penn. This was a garage sale find and the reel was not fully stock. The reel came with a Newell spool and I installed Carbontex drag washers.
I know it is hard to see as I took these pics inside at night but the reel is a chocolate brown color which I assume is bakelite. The reel has the usual steel pinion gear but also has a steel main as well. When did Penn go from a steel main to brass in the Monofil's, and could this help date the reels age?
Also you can see in the pics where I changed the stock handle to a 24-65. I made this change because I still fish this reel when feeling nostalgic and slap it onto my California Tackle Co., Super Sabre rod.
Anyway if someone could help me narrow down the age of this reel it would be much appreciated. I don't need the age of the CN spool or new handle as I have a pretty good idea about these.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/IMG_0681_zpsh3md9vl7.jpg)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/IMG_0684_zpsayylmism.jpg)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/IMG_0682_zps6c89pyq2.jpg)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/IMG_0683_zpsrkylwzli.jpg)
This last pic shows the reel with the stock handle by its side, if this helps?
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag355/SoCalAngler1/IMG_0685_zpsxywoqxwv.jpg)
The best I can give you is Post 1954, when they were introduced....Bill
Quote from: TARFU on January 15, 2017, 04:56:59 PM
The best I can give you is Post 1954, when they were introduced....Bill
I'll go with that.
Sal
I believe this reel was produced with unique bright Maroon coloramic side plates from 1955-57, then they went back to dark brown and finally black. This suggests the reel was produced post 1957.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on January 15, 2017, 06:52:20 AM
The reel has the usual steel pinion gear but also has a steel main as well. When did Penn go from a steel main to brass in the Monofil's, and could this help date the reels age?
Now there's a question many have asked. Actually, I'm not sure brass ever even followed steel. I've seen many instances where
both were manufactured side by side. I've seen instances where the brass
preceded the steel. I may be all wet here...but I'm thinking gear material was more a choice of manufacturing cost than anything else. The only two agreed facts about gears are:
1. Steel is stronger
2. Brass is smoother
I use both types depending on which characteristic better serves my needs.
Quote from: mo65 on January 16, 2017, 12:19:22 PM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on January 15, 2017, 06:52:20 AM
The reel has the usual steel pinion gear but also has a steel main as well. When did Penn go from a steel main to brass in the Monofil's, and could this help date the reels age?
Now there's a question many have asked. Actually, I'm not sure brass ever even followed steel. I've seen many instances where both were manufactured side by side. I've seen instances where the brass preceded the steel. I may be all wet here...but I'm thinking gear material was more a choice of manufacturing cost than anything else. The only two agreed facts about gears are:
1. Steel is stronger
2. Brass is smoother
I use both types depending on which characteristic better serves my needs.
You nailed it Mo. I've witnessed the same things you described. I have a long beach from the 40's with
brass main and pinion, go figure.
Quote from: STRIPER LOU on December 30, 2016, 01:46:47 PM
Dan, I know I need help. But, the fact that I'm aware of it makes it all OK ??? Correct ;D.
I also have a few unique Monofil customs that I've been working on for over a year. Hopefully I'll finish them soon and post them up. They're real lookers!
All the best, .. Lou
Depends who you ask Lou, but I'm thinking we don't see those on the market anymore cause you own em all. Nice going, and please post up the customs your building.
-Ted
Quote from: Maxed Out on January 16, 2017, 07:11:33 PM
Quote from: mo65 on January 16, 2017, 12:19:22 PM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on January 15, 2017, 06:52:20 AM
The reel has the usual steel pinion gear but also has a steel main as well. When did Penn go from a steel main to brass in the Monofil's, and could this help date the reels age?
Now there's a question many have asked. Actually, I'm not sure brass ever even followed steel. I've seen many instances where both were manufactured side by side. I've seen instances where the brass preceded the steel. I may be all wet here...but I'm thinking gear material was more a choice of manufacturing cost than anything else. The only two agreed facts about gears are:
1. Steel is stronger
2. Brass is smoother
I use both types depending on which characteristic better serves my needs.
You nailed it Mo. I've witnessed the same things you described. I have a long beach from the 40's with brass main and pinion, go figure.
When I am just building reels for folks to use -- and not collect -- I use one steel and one brass.
An older gentleman tackle master I learned much from in my younger days always taught me to do this -- it is smoother and quieter, because of the harder and softer gear meshing, and he would generally go with a steel pinion and brass main (the pinion turns many times faster than the main, is smaller, and cheaper. Old school logic that has served me well.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: STRIPER LOU on January 16, 2017, 08:03:49 PM
Hey, on the LB 60, I have one I'm working on and can use your help. Its going to have a Tib frame that I got from Randy Pauly. It actually fits a 2/0 frame and its a rare bird made for HI's (special). Randy says he's only seen 2 of them and this may be a one of a kind custom build.
No kiddin?...a 2/0 Tib frame?? You're killin' me Lou! :o
I've been thinking about dating SoCal's 27 and there really is no way to narrow it down to less than the dark brown side plate era. No matter if it's a '58 or a '75...it's a great lookin' Monofil 27! 8)
I do not want to hijack the thread . I bought a rare Penn #27 box for a Left Hand reel .
I am after a LH Head plate for a Magenta #27 failing that a Maroon #27LH Head Plate. I know that there have been Green #26 reels but I have not seen a LH #27 in my searches.
I guess there must have been one some time to fit this box.
(http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m531/kingfisher57/Penn%20Monofil%2027SLH--Box%20%20Contents%20010%20-%20Copy.jpg) (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/kingfisher57/media/Penn%20Monofil%2027SLH--Box%20%20Contents%20010%20-%20Copy.jpg.html)
If anyone can help I sure would appreciate it. Thanks, Ray.
Ray - There was a LH 27 Pink/Fuschia for sale on eBay a few weeks back, not sure if it ever sold. It did not have the LH on the side plate though. Let me see if I can find it...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Rose-Fuchsia-Penn-Monofil-No-27S-Left-Hand-Reel-Collectors-LH-/232234509928?hash=item3612416668%3Ag%3AowAAAOSwEzxYROyk&nma=true&si=NHe6KWCnoEpROn%252F2DS%252FJWNzqGog%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Looks like it did end up selling...
Thank you very much Dan. That gives me hope to find a #27LH reel . Timing was a bit out otherwise I could be laughing now. Mike tells me it should be a Maroon reel not a Magenta but we all know he would not have a clue ;) ........so I better look for a Maroon #27LH. I'd think a better chance . It would be hard to knock back a Magenta #27LH though.
Ray, what is that catalog you are showing with your 27SLH box ??....BTW, very nice box. Label do bright I needed my shades on to look at it.
-Ted
Quote
Looks like it did end up selling...
This listing is telling. It tells us that the LH reel is not marked LH even though the box is. Which means, with the right parts, a standard maroon 27 side plate can be built into a left hand reel and be a correct reel.
The price on Ray's box places its production, according to the catalogs between 1957 and 1959 inclusive (catalogs #20, #21 or #22). It is a three year era for the box and technically not a Magenta reel; but, I am sure that in 1957, Magenta models were still being placed in 1957 boxes until all stocks were used up and Penn changed over to maroon. The Colormatic years ended in 1956, but, nothing is 100%. I would think a Magenta 27 in Ray's box would simply place the box into a early 1957 category.
Wow Mike, you're the fishin' reel Sherlock Holmes. The head plate looks completely symmetrical front to back in the photo. If the gears are straight cut, all you would need is a left-handed sleeve and star
-steve
I down loaded Left and Right photos from the Ebay reels. While they are the same externally . Parts are different inside and they were supplied as two different Head plates ... a Left and a Right Head plate . The original parts are all available except a LH Pinion and the actual LH Head plate. You can get a Main gear/Pinion set upgrade replacement .
(http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m531/kingfisher57/27%20LH%201_1.jpg) (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/kingfisher57/media/27%20LH%201_1.jpg.html) 27 LH 1 (http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m531/kingfisher57/27%20RH%201_1.jpg) (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/kingfisher57/media/27%20RH%201_1.jpg.html) 27 RH 1
(http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m531/kingfisher57/27%20LH%202.jpg) (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/kingfisher57/media/27%20LH%202.jpg.html) 27 LH 2 (http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m531/kingfisher57/27%20RH%202.jpg) (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/kingfisher57/media/27%20RH%202.jpg.html) 27 RH 2
QuoteI down loaded Left and Right photos from the Ebay reels. While they are the same externally . Parts are different inside and they were supplied as two different Head plates ... a Left and a Right Head plate . The original parts are all available except a LH Pinion and the actual LH Head plate. You can get a Main gear/Pinion set upgrade replacement .
Identical on the outside, internally I expect they look like this Penn 85 Left Hand model.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Penn%20Left%20Hand%20Reels/Figure15%20625%20x%20561_zpsht4triop.jpg)
Basically, everything in the head plate is identical to a right hand side plate except for the fact that the anti-reverse dog moves to the opposite side of the head plate. I would like to open a Left Hand drive Model 27 to verify this; but, I think by the 1950's, this is how Penn was converting their reels to left hand operation. The difference is the change of location for the dog creates a need for the other screw area to be milled out to allow for the flush mounting of the dog. In time Penn will mill both dog locations on most of their reels to creates side plates that can be built in right of left hand drive configurations, you simply needed the correct metal pieces.
QuoteWow Mike, you're the fishin' reel Sherlock Holmes. The head plate looks completely symmetrical front to back in the photo. If the gears are straight cut, all you would need is a left-handed sleeve and star
-steve
Sherlock Holmes,,,, Ha,,, I don't think so. More like Inspector Jacques Clouseau.............<:O)
No straight cut gears in Penn production reels.
Thanks Mike,
That's simpler than they did in the 30's . You can see where they were heading .
Channels and pin for L&R dogs and springs both in the one head plate would make for quicker production .
Ray
QuoteThat's simpler than they did in the 30's .
Yes Ray, in the 1930's Penn was feeling out the left hand drive engineering. They built the reel keeping the dog in the same location and simply milling out the plate to allow the dog to engage with the bottom side of the sleeve gear. The dog then was spring loaded upward rather than the normal downward spring loading as seen in this old picture. The plate on the left is right hand drive. The plate on the right is Penn creativity at its best al la 1930's.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Penn%20Left%20Hand%20Reels/Figure6%20814%20x%20385_zpsa9muc30u.jpg)
I cannot remember if you bought this reel from me; but, if you have it, the configuration of the Left Hand 27 may be the same in this reel. This is a rare reel, it is the first 1949 Penn 180 made in the left hand option.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Penn%20Left%20Hand%20Reels/Figure9%20-%20Copy_zpskngym5ri.jpg)
Mike,
I gotta ask... How do you know that's the first 1949 180 lefty Penn made??
Thanks
Dom
Dom,
'47 looks like the first year the RH was $6.00 and a lefty would cost you a dollar more . Referencing to Mike's yellow covered book's catalogs.
Ray
Ray,
I thought Mike was saying that was the first ever made 180LH from the Penn factory, but I guess he meant first year. Also, I didn't think that plastic handle was a 1949 handle... good to know.
Thanks for the clarification,
Dom
The 180 was not offered from the factory in Left Hand drive until 1949. When the 180 was introduced in 1939, Penn offered a Left Hand operation; but, at this time Penn was converting the reels one at a time on request of a customer. Doing that the old fashioned way with the small head plate must have been sketchy, so they stopped offering the Left Hand Model 180 in 1940 and brought it back in 1949. If you check the yellow book you will see the Left Hand drive is not offered from 1940 to 1948 for the Model 180.
The 180 box looks to me to be a 1949 box; but, it could also be a 1950 box. With that slanted model name printing, I would think it is more likely to be a 1949 rather than a 1950 box. The reel may not be correct for the box because I see a part number on the handle retaining screw; but, who is to say that the handle was not added later.
Thanks for the knowledge, Mike. I just wanted to make sure that it's not the first 180LH off the line because I would love to know how you'd come to that conclusion.
I'm pretty sure that handle wasn't the around in '49 as I've never seen it on a Penn reel until years later but you would know better than me.
Thanks
Dom