Reel Repair by Alan Tani

First post. 
Just recieved a mystery box of reels.  Inside was a penn long beach 60.  No big deal but.... ive never seen a handle like this before.  Aluminum torpedo, looks factory made.  Any ideas?

yup, this is a first for me.  welcome!!!!!

Welcome. A first for me also.  Dominick

Yup. Welcome

Your handle looks like some one cast over the old Knob with lead or something. Can you post a pic of the back side of it

It may be factory made, but not at the Penn factory. Looks like someone put a non-Penn handle on that reel. Besides the knob, it is too long, and the counterweight structure is not Penn.

It resembles the same profile of a penn handle, minus the knob of course.  But its longer than ive seen too.  And the hole that mounts on the sleeve is sort of chewed up.  Might have been cut out to fit. And the counterweight looks like its one piece to the handle.  Penns have a dimple on the back.

If I was a betting man I'd wager this reel once belonged to a machinist and this was a DIY project. Pretty cool.

 The "4 stack" counterbalance is definitely not a penn product. Someone did a very nice job of mimicking a penn handle. I have seen a few of these pointy aluminum knobs on what looks to be a penn handle, but upon closer inspection, it turned out they were not Penn at all. If it's factory made, it is definitely not typical. I do notice no set screw hole, and also the backside of blade on counterweight appears attached without a thru hole, and rivet that holds on the knob shaft is definitely not a Penn product, but not ruling out someone at Penn making it for himself. Either way its a cool piece !!

 This one is on a long beach 68. 3 of these were made by a penn factory machinist at the factory in the early 50's. Nothing here would make you think otherwise. Myself and another collector bought all 3. The seller was the son of the guy that made them. He said his dad worked in the machine shop at Penn late 40's thru early 50's. He said his dad made these and brought them home one day and put them in "the junk drawer", and that's where they stayed for over 60 years. All 3 were made just as you see this one. approximate length is 8"

 Mo said it best about this handle. "It's so long it has 2 zip codes"

Great story. Helps with the mystery. 8" handle! Wow.

The one i acquired is actually very well made.  Why im thinking factory. Its definitely worn from use but still good.  Maybe ocean city, dolphin, etc.  And the weight of the knob is almost the same as the counterweight.  Its very well balanced. Feels great reeling.

If you Blow the Picture way up you can clearly see it has been made to fit the Penn Sleeve by filing  inside the inside of the Hole.


and Ted I only see 3 rings on the Counter Balance plus see NO signs of how the Balance is attached must less How they Peened the Knob to the bar .
May have come off an Old Coffee Grinder and almost Sure it is NOT OCEAN CITY. 

A few years ago I posted a handle with an aluminum knob, I think it was on a 155 or something small. Couldn't find the old post but I'll see if I can scrounge up the handle

And im not a collector. I do repairs and service as a side business. I put all my profits in my kids bank account.  Hes 8 months old already!

So if any collectors would like to purchase the handle......

Remember.... its super rare and probably worth millions

I'll take that handle, just waiting on the prince from Nyrobi to deposit the funds into my bank account 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Hahaha. 

But seriously, if anyone has an interest, let me know.

Ill even make a trade.  I need a penn 9/0 bridge if anyone has one lying around. 

Ok.  I found where its from.  The reel on the right is a horrocks ibbotson 250.