Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Cleaned this a bit for my buddy. It was his grandfather's on Long island in the 50's, he has some great B/W photo's of his grandad on his boat with this rod catching tunafish.

Cool real.  That appears to be a non-numbered early 16/0.  Has the linen line, 3-piece spool, German silver parts, etc.  It may even be prewar (i.e. ca. 1942), but is likely from just after the war.  I have a 10/0 with similar characteristics, and a 12/0 , and 14/0 that are first gen (older gear box config.).  Cool looking rod too.  Do you have any more info on it (i.e. Varma reel seat, Mildrum guides, any markings)?  

*This post should go in the antiques and collectable section.

It's a 118. Not much for markings. Plain jane seat, split cane rod, ring guides of undetermined origin (could be Mildrum but whereas Mildrum rollers are readily identifiable, these could be anything). Rod foregrip looks to be an early synthetic so my guess is the rod is post-war. Mostly in good shape. I cleaned about the top 75 yds of linen as well. This was before I got on AT or I would've done a better job on pics; I may get it back for more so you guys who know what to look for can date it properly.

That's pretty neat.
John, How can you tell that spool is a three piece with the line on?

Quote from: Shark Hunter on October 27, 2015, 09:51:00 PM
That's pretty neat.
John, How can you tell that spool is a three piece with the line on?

I am not 100% certain, but I think the outter portion of the flange is a bit more 'bell-shaped' on the 3-piece..so far my educated guesses on 3-piece spools with line on them have been correct.  Maybe just lucky guesses? 

This is definately an early reel, and could likely be considered 'rare', if not 'scarce' given the model.  A photo showing the underside of the star, having been removed, and a close up of tye model stamping would prove useful.  Also be interesting to see the gear (maybe a deep steel, with shallow chanel cut into it..guess?)

Cool reel.

I see what you are saying about the edge of the spool. You learn something new every day.

That's a useful piece of knowledge I was waiting answer to. My 117 came with about a mile of 80 lb Dacron on it and has been on the wall. I want to go through it and reline with 130 mono, but then I started thinking about a potential three piece spool under serious constriction from mono wound under pressure. I'm stripping the 80 lb either way but was considering 130 Dacron backing topped with 600 yds 130 mono if I have the three piece spool. The knees have no intention of reeling in not 600-and-one yards of 130 with a bass plug on it while standing up anyway, much less with something heavy as me pulling back. Daron is welcome to that fish! I bought cat-daddy T-Bar handle already and need tail plate outside beauty ring and posts as it is, so not looking a new spool.

Mine came with the counter balanced handle looking way too small for a 14/0 so I'm guessing it predates power handles and thus likely has three-piece spool.   

John

If You have a Harness and belt. Its not that Bad John.

If it is indeed a 3-piece spool and you plan to fish it, you will likely have to swap it out for a newer spool.  At that point you might consider just selling the reel as a collectable (or just the spool), since finding a spool, and the cost associated with it might be prohibitive.  Do you have a close up photo of the model stamping?  It likely has the model number, and your gearbox /bridge appears to be the full sized one which would likely put this reel in the 1947-1950 range.  A lighthouse box 16/0 is a desirable collectable.  I would consider leaving the reel 'as is' and putting it on a shelf, or sell it and use the money to buy a more modern reel to fish, IMHO.