Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

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Teal
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Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by Teal »

I'm working on an article and am citing a report of a tour of the Heddon factory in 1957. The reporter penned the following about an (unidentified) Heddon baitcasting reel:

“a reel … that you can take apart, clean, and oil on the spot. A twist of the side plate removes it — exposing all working parts — and no fear of pieces dropping in the boat.”

I'm not familiar enough with Heddon baitcasters of the era to make a positive ID -- is this the Heddon Heritage reel? Does it have a take-apart feature that twists the side plate off? If not, does anyone know what Heddon reel this might be?

-- Dr. Todd
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john elder
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by john elder »

Er....doesn’t this reel reported on in 2012 by Dr Todd Larson (Fishing for History) qualify??

http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2012 ... llman.html
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Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
wrong99
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by wrong99 »

I agree. has to be the Heddon #P-41 "Pal" reel. The Heritage wouldn't show up until years later and it wasn't a take-apart model. The #P-41 was built by and supplied to Heddon by the Bronson Reel Co. It can be seen on our Bronson site.
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colby sorrells
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by colby sorrells »

Could also be the P51 which was a little later. Both would seem to fit. Keepin' It Fun! Colby
wrong99
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by wrong99 »

I forgot about the #P-51. Good call. However, it was long gone before 1957.
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Teal
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by Teal »

I was assuming since the article talked about new tackle the reel being referenced was a mid-1950s model, and I thought the Heritage was out around that time. Threw me off completely! Never thought of the P-41 as I think of it as a 1940s reel ... Walter Willman designed it. Ron Gast has photos of some prototypes on his amazing web site. I feel foolish!

-- Dr. Todd
wrong99
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by wrong99 »

Yes, it's obvious to us all that you know very little about vintage reels.
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colby sorrells
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by colby sorrells »

P 51 was introduced in 1952 I believe. Not sure when they stopped selling them though. CS
wrong99
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Re: Help Identify A 1950s Heddon Reel By Description Only

Post by wrong99 »

Only sold for two years.
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