Just arrived today so I took it apart to see what's inside. It is a narrow 6/0 with a chromed spool just under 2" in width. There are 6 posts and a 3-screw stand. It has external drag access with 4 metal washers...I think it's missing one leather washer. The closest Penn comparison that would have been in production at the same time would probably be the 349 in width and the 114 in size and strength.
This reel has a strong frame with beefy and tight internals. Internal mechanics are slightly different than Penn but appear to be intelligently applied....see the A/R dog and eccentric arrangements. I'd fish a 605 with confidence.
That keeper for the eccentric might give you fits if it ever swung open, though.
If you notice anything missing, please let me know. I'm not familiar with this one.
Good Find!
You have one of Ocean City's Best Reels .
A Real Workhorse and very Hard to find ANY THING made today that will hold up to it . The later versions before they went Belly UP only had 4 Side plate screws on each side Exposed .
They made several diferent widths in the 4/0 series as well as 6/0 series . 9/0 etc.
I should add that the gears weren't in the best shape. Looks like they were chromed steel and had been neglected. Much of the chrome is gone and the pinion should be replaced.
Also, I think the spool is stainless, not chromed. It's very heavy and at least 1/2" thick at the arbor. OC didn't machine the inside ends to the contour of the spool. Never seen that before. It's either a labor savings decision or the injuneers wanted more potential energy.
Any idea how much these went for in the stores?
They were around 35 bux back when @1940's
Which was more than a WEEKS Salary for a lot of folks .
I paid almost twice that for it, so fuzzy math says I did OK....even though I'm losing 10 times that every month right now. ???
The price in 1940 would be over 700 bux in today's money.