Old Penn 10/0 on Bamboo Pole

[Gfish]

Cool!
The first thing that comes to mind if yer gonna fish it, is an ss gear sleeve. This'ed be hidden when assembled, keeping the reel original lookin.

[xjchad]

Wow, what a great find Darin!
I can't wait to hear the story behind it!
If it were me, I'd keep it as is and put it on a wall with the history in a frame next to it.

[1badf350]

Wow, what a great find Darin!
I can't wait to hear the story behind it!
If it were me, I'd keep it as is and put it on a wall with the history in a frame next to it.

This is what I would do

[Alto Mare]

Beautiful combo, you don't find these often.
I'm with the two gentlemen above, it would brighten any room.

Sal

[mo65]

That rig has character...I'd be tempted to leave it as is.

[Rivverrat]

Wow, what a great find Darin!
I can't wait to hear the story behind it!
If it were me, I'd keep it as is and put it on a wall with the history in a frame next to it.

This is what I would do

I've got to agree. I wouldnt clean that reel up much. Any thing I did would be to preserve the condition it's in. However I've guns over 100 years old that I've preserved in the  condition I purchased them but I still shoot them. I really dont like the idea being a wharehouse for some one else. By just keeping stuff I never use. That rod & reel would look great on the wall any ones man cave... Jeff

[Swami805]

I think I'd strip the line off to makes sure there's nothing funky going on down there,other than that keep it OG. Might want to jot down the story that goes with it and keep it with the set up.

[Darin Crofton]

It looks like wall hanger is the consensus for most here. I'm not sure I have a wall to hang it on, my little corner is full, lol.
Where's all the rod gurus? Should I post something in the rod section?
Thanks for all the comments!

[Maxed Out]

 The reel dates to 1950's

Sometime around 1960 the logo moved above the eccentric to 12 o'clock position....your logo is below the eccentric

[Rivverrat]

Wow ! So this combo just raked in more cool points... Jeff

[xjchad]

It looks like wall hanger is the consensus for most here. I'm not sure I have a wall to hang it on, my little corner is full, lol.
Where's all the rod gurus? Should I post something in the rod section?
Thanks for all the comments!

Darin,
You can hang it on my wall, I've got plenty of room!

[Darin Crofton]

The reel dates to 1950's

Sometime around 1960 the logo moved above the eccentric to 12 o'clock position....your logo is below the eccentric

Wow, thanks Ted, I appreciate the feedback and info!

[Darin Crofton]

It looks like wall hanger is the consensus for most here. I'm not sure I have a wall to hang it on, my little corner is full, lol.
Where's all the rod gurus? Should I post something in the rod section?
Thanks for all the comments!

Darin,
You can hang it on my wall, I've got plenty of room!

I'd have to throw a few more reels in the box tomorrow, Chad... lmbo

[oc1]

I would be afraid to fish with the rod Darin.  The oils could be dried up in the wood and it may not be a strong as it used to be.  I still think it's hickory.  No one would have made a hickory (or any wood) rod after the very early 1950's.  The wrappings and the way the handle fits into the reel seat makes me think it was either home made or rebuilt.  Someone may recognize the reel seat manufacturer.  The ring guides look like Mildrum.  Never seen anything like that roller tip though.  Have no idea what the foregrip is.  The foregrip looks like alligatored varnish in the photo.  Seems like it would have been wrapped with something but the wrapping may have rotted away.  The line is Dacron.  Most likely Gudebrod green spot.  Those pitted ring guides would chew up Dacron line immediately.  If you remove the line and find the spool is corroded you can wash the line to get the salt out and dry it.  You would need to cobble together a line dryer spool though (some scrap plywood for the flanges and welded wire for the arbor is cheap and easy).

It's all just cool as heck.  I would keep it as-is and not mess with it.  Replacing that broken ring might cost more than getting another project reel.

-steve

[Darin Crofton]

I would be afraid to fish with the rod Darin.  The oils could be dried up in the wood and it may not be a strong as it used to be.  I still think it's hickory.  No one would have made a hickory (or any wood) rod after the very early 1950's.  The wrappings and the way the handle fits into the reel seat makes me think it was either home made or rebuilt.  Someone may recognize the reel seat manufacturer.  The ring guides look like Mildrum.  Never seen anything like that roller tip though.  Have no idea what the foregrip is.  The foregrip looks like alligatored varnish in the photo.  Seems like it would have been wrapped with something but the wrapping may have rotted away.  The line is Dacron.  Most likely Gudebrod green spot.  Those pitted ring guides would chew up Dacron line immediately.  If you remove the line and find the spool is corroded you can wash the line to get the salt out and dry it.  You would need to cobble together a line dryer spool though (some scrap plywood for the flanges and welded wire for the arbor is cheap and easy).

It's all just cool as heck.  I would keep it as-is and not mess with it.  Replacing that broken ring might cost more than getting another project reel.

-steve

Steve,
Between you and Ted I believe I have a pretty good idea what we're looking at here.
Thank you for all the details of my find I was looking for! It's hard to stop looking
at it, wondering what it was like to use it so many years ago.
Darin