Penn Reels - just as you find them

[Penn Chronology]

.....Mike\Ted are there any specific photos you need of this 286 for your research or would you like me to send it to you for a hands on inspection?  Bill

Thanks Bill. No need for inspection. This reel is cut and dry. It is a non-cataloged Penn Delmar 300 yard model. There is no mystery here, just a hard to find reel in a really hard to find box. I have one in a home made box with a copied label. I have had many of the reels and when I sell them I have received from $50 to $100 for the reel alone, depending on who is bidding. The box brings the package to a different level. No telling how much it would sell for if it was presented properly. Sometimes you get two very motivated bidders and the prices can go sky high. Sort of depends how the listing goes.
                   Or list it for a $250 Buy It Now and see if it sells. You can always go down.

[coastal_dan]

Awesome find!  Congrats, beauty of a piece, thats for sure.

[mo65]

   Great find Bill!

[Tightlines667]

I found a prewar Penn 155 after digging through a box of reels at a local pawn shop.  


A good buy @$10.

[Bill B]

That's a deal, like the chocolate handle, and is lt non numbered? Bill

[mo65]

   Nice buy John! Judging by that coin edged counter weight and old style handle it's non-numbered alright.

[sdlehr]

and is lt non numbered? Bill

Same as saying "pre-war", unless you're talking about WWI... numbers showed up around 1950.

Sid

[broadway]

Bill,
  I have no idea how I missed that one, but I'm glad you got it. That package is worth $300 in my opinion on Ebay. I would buy it right now for $150 for sure!
Congrats on your treasure, bud.
Enjoy it,
Dom

[Bill B]

Thanks brother Dom....I've been mulling over the box repair....as I will only get one chance at it....just thinking it through....I will keep you in mind if it ever goes "up for sale"...Would want to keep it in the family....Bill

[broadway]

Bill, You have the right idea...Take your time.
Keep me in mind but enjoy your find for now as we're just temporary caretakers of these relics.
All the best,
Dom

[mo65]

   Hey Bill, I just wanted to say Superhook's suggestion of light clear drying glue and rubber bands works great for box repairs. I've fixed many this way, on some boxes it is hardly noticeable. As far as taking away value...how can you hurt something that's already in pieces? A seriously damaged box probably isn't really worth much...so having it in one piece can only be an improvement.

[basto]

This is how my 155 looked when I got it and I put new posts and a stronger stand on it, but it is not as smooth turning and does not have as good a free spool as when in original form.
This also happened with my 259.
Basto

[RowdyW]

Maybe the left bearing is adjusted to tightly. It should have .005-.010 side play. Did you polish the spool shaft?                    Rudy

[basto]

Rudy
I put all the old parts back on my 155 and it is as smooth as could be and with good free spool again.

I remember putting a 500 aluminium spool on my 259 and it did not like it either.

Basto

[oc1]

They say that if you replace a main gear you should replace the pinion too because they wear together to find the path of least resistance.  Maybe spools and bearings and stands do the same thing.  They have all worn and adjusted themselves to the total reel.
-steve