Neat Ocean City Long Key..help!

Post by **john elder** » Thu May 01, 2008 8:05 pm

I just picked up a really nice OC Long Key the other day. Must be an early one and is very well-made...puts the later OC reels to shame, IMHO. It is 6/0 diameter, but the width of the reel is 5 inches!...sorta like the Black Marlin version of the Penn 6/0. It needs a handle knob, but I'm not sure what was originally on it. It had a home-made T-handle on it...might have been the plastic torpedo-type, but i think it's older than that...anyone have info to share about age, etc ...and if you have the right knob or know what goes on there, pls share!

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:31 am

John, I think the patent for that clutch was filed in 1934. Here's a 1932 catalog pic of a Long Key, but that's probably an earlier version than yours.

You might consider having the reel gilded, and no one would notice the missing handle.

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:12 am

The Long Key reels, after the model shown by Steve, were all the same diameter, and capacity was changed by increasing the width. Catalogs list the diameter as 4.5", and the No. 110 (6/0) has a spool width of 2.25", the 115 (8/0) has a spool width of 2.75", and the 140 (9/0) has a spool width of 3.75". The crank knob was a torpedo type, with oil zirk in the center. They sold for $20-25 in 1941.

Post by **john elder** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:54 am

thanks, guys. I would assume this is the 4.5 " diameter spool...5 inches including sideplates. Steve, it's early but that pic looks to have the "penn"-type freespool lever rather than the typical early OC lever that the handle knocks back in gear?

I guess either could break, but it probably makes sense that the missing handle was the big torpedo-type, since they were always deteriorating.

Steve...at over $1000 an ounce, gilding might be at the edge of cost/benefit...however, gelding might be an option...just leave off the knob...so to speak

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:10 pm

that pic looks to have the "penn"-type freespool lever...

You have a '30s mind. The OC lever was shown in an OC patent filed in 1929, when Penn was just a twinkle in Otto Henze's eye.

And even that wasn't very original, e.g.:

(JVH from Lang's Auction pic)

BTW, that has to be one of the best gelding jokes I've heard in years. jester

Post by **john elder** » Fri May 02, 2008 3:03 pm

LOL...it's kinda like "half-bail"...dead wrong, but everyone gets it

Jeff Johnson · Post by **Jeff Johnson** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:09 am

John - Ive got an identical reel as yours and its the 1st one pictured with the large black torpedo handle. The 2nd reel is the same exept it is unmarked ( does not the Long Key emblem on it ) and has a smaller handle. I have several smaller Long Keys of 450 and 500 Yds and they use both style handles. Jeff

Post by **john elder** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:36 am

Perfect, Jeff..thanks! just what i hoped to learn from this post. My guess is that the torpedo took the usual dive on this one and the owner just replaced with a wooden one that got the job done. I'll have to see if I can round up a replacement...if anyone has a beater reel where the knob somehow survived, would love to hear from you!

Post by **Brian F.** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:15 pm

Unfortunately, those style torpedo knobs "shrink" just like the Pflueger knobs in that style. I had one of those knobs on a reel sitting in a cloth bag for several years and it seemed just fine. But then I got a correct box for the reel and kept the reel in the box wihout the bag for about a year. Next time I pulled it out, the knob was "sweating" oil and it had begun to deform. Cardboard acid?

Araye50 · Post by **Araye50** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:39 am

Pretty nice OC you got there. I think I've seen just 3 OCs in 6/0 size.

What's the L of the blade on that handle? I've got a big OC handle, might be 4/0 size, blade L is 4 & 5/16". Typical OC handle hex wrench/nut lock screwed down by counter weight & square 1/4" hole to fit shaft.

Knob is marbelized translucent, white & off white 2 piece plastic, w/oiler cap that's ~3/8". The knob's torpedo is hollow, factory glued together, w/seam line all around. No doubt the hollow assembled design contributed to many failures.

Post by **john elder** » Sun May 04, 2008 7:28 am

Thanks for the reply...I think I'm going to wait for a black handle, just for esthetics (mine). I will likely put on a straight wooden knob for now or a torpedo in wood. I had an old torpedo that was separating that I tried to re-glue yesterday, but it shattered when I put it under clamping pressure...good news is that I now have an original shaft that can be used for a manufactured knob...no better for collector value than the stick that was on there, but will look nicer!

Add...I checked handle length and it is 5 inches...here's a "before" pic..hopefully, I can improve on that one:

Araye50 · Post by **Araye50** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:04 am

Was it another hollow, 2 piece, torpedo w/seam at midline?

"I had an old torpedo"
"good news is that I now have an original shaft that can be used for a manufactured knob"

Is the original shaft like Penn, a peened brass post w/spinning brass sleeve, retained by a 'head' on the post & a press fit plastic knob?

Post by **john elder** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:23 am

I'm out of town at the moment, but will post a pic when I get home. It is brass..fastens by nut after passing thru the handle...if it ever had a washer, it's long gone. Certainly at this point in its life, the knob would not turn freely on that shaft...not sure if it shrank against the shaft or never was intended to swivel...and yes...hollow with separating seam .

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:41 am

...gelding might be an option...

...fastens by nut...

You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:09 pm

Do I dare post that Steve's post is funny?