OK
Here we go
I got a very early Penn 9/0 Senator in the mail today. This reel is definitely a thirties reel and could be a first year model or very close to a first year model. The Senators first came out in 1936. I got the reel on flea bay for 72 bucks. Comments please.
The reel has no marking on the stand or on the nuts for the handle or levers. There are no markings on bushings. The handle is made of plastic or Catlin. The left side plate is blank without any fishing seen.
A Mother of a penn reel
I will try to get some pictures of the handle. I have a Penn long beach with the same ornate plastic handle and the same lack of markings. I think I have the date nailed down to a four year period but I would like to get down to the year and with the unusual handle I might just be able to do just that. The handle looks like the handel on the Penn advertisement for senator on the history section of the Penn website. You will see a picture of the senator and the words “In 1936, PENN introduced its most famous reel, the Senator." . There is a picture of a early Squidder below the picture of the senator. If the picture of the senator is a 1936 model, than I have one just like it.
http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?1930s.htm
http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?1930s.htm
Probably a '36 or '37 Senator. By '40, possibly '39, they had gone to the more familiar plastic torpedo knobs. Then there's the rosewood torpedo knob in between, like the early version I found.
I'd thought the early bobbin knobs were wood. What is "Catlin"? Many Ocean City & Pflueger's of the era used hard rubber.
I'd thought the early bobbin knobs were wood. What is "Catlin"? Many Ocean City & Pflueger's of the era used hard rubber.
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
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It's Catalin...it's a clear plastic much like bakelite, but not the same:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&clie ... ic&spell=1
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&clie ... ic&spell=1
Not to mention http://reeltalk.orcaonline.org ... .php?t=964