Karwartha reel questions

[gwb]

I am new to ORCA. I have a fly reel collection, but I was wondering about an old Karwartha reel I have and may want to sell, maybe not. If you sell one you may end up selling them all. I have seen some pics and mine has the screws, not rivets.
It is missing one cap nut on the spool. Mechanically, it seems to work fine. There is rust on spool, but does not seem to be pitted and should clean up. It is made in Canada and I did some research and see that it was made in the 1940s in Ontario. I was wondering if it is possible to find the spool cap nut that should set next to the handle. Should I clean the rust off the spool or not? Is there a value range for this reel so I can see if it is worth trying to clean up and find the cap nut. Is it worth my time to take a pic and post if anyone would be interested. So, If you have a cap or you are interested in the reel please let me know.

[Lostinfrance2014]

I am new to ORCA. Is it worth my time to take a pic and post if anyone would be interested. .

Image tells a thousand words, if you are seeking to value, parts we all see an image and Bingo you may be in luck

Just my two bob's worth

[gwb]

Thanks lost in france 2014
I should dig out my camera and learn how to post images on this web site. I will do that. It is an interesting old reel.

[Lostinfrance2014]

Uploading is easy:

1 - Look on the left side where is says (Message Body) as you type to add
Hit "Upload Image"

2 - Then look above the message line, and you will see a link to Upload all.

3 - Hit the one you want to post and you will see it auto inserts it

4 - if no more to add or comments in the message reply hit - submit and it will re-load and show you your post with Image

1/2/3 easy

[fish2458]

My understanding is these reels were made in Peterborough, spell check please, in the Kawartha region, They do not seem to be a high quality product but still an interesting piece of Canadian fishing history. The name of the company building these leaves me for the moment but you might find more info on the " Ontario Vintage Lures" site. As for value they are at the lower end of the scale. I"ve got a parts reel complete with end caps, if your interested, pm me Glenn Grady

[fish2458]

A little more information on the Kawartha reel taken from the "The Examiner " from Peterborough Ontario. Branson Manufacturing, The company on McGill Street in Peterborough was founded by Jack Russel. In 1936 they made a large lake trolling reel for Frank Edgar of Lucky Strike ( a limited run of a 1000). Branson also made a very nice level wind reel called the Kawartha and thereby earned its spot in Canada"s fishing tackle history. In the mid 1950"s they manufactured a metal collapsible survival rod for the Canadian Air Force that contained hooks, lures and line in the handle. It and a matching reel were attached to the pilots ejection seat so a stranded pilot could catch fish until he was rescued. This article was written as a supplement for the local paper, in Peterborough,by Jim Greenaway, to coincide with the tackle show by CAFTA.

[gwb]

Thanks for the information fish 2458. I thought the reel had something to do with the military from the bit of research I had done. The reel actually says Karwartha which is probably a misspelling made by the company. It also says made in Canada which is what caught my interest. I will try to get a picture of it posted this weekend.

[gwb]

Well, It has been almost a year and I finally got some pictures taken and I hope I can upload them. I will post a group picture which includes the Karwartha reel, an old record swiss made reel, an old Daiwa 2100b reel and one that I hope someone can identify the brand name for me. It is the red one that is made in Japan. It has an embossed image of a fish jumping with an angler on the side, but no brand name. I will start with a group picture of the reels and can post individual pics with details if there is any interest. Thanks for looking and any replies that tell me more about these reels.

[gwb]

well, my mistake, I don't see any pictures. I will have to try again after a bit of research. Thanks for your patience.

[gwb]

I am still trying to post images on my site, but I am having some difficulty. Maybe this will work. I dragged and dropped the image into this post and it seems to have created link to a picture of 4 reels I had mentioned earlier, the Karwartha, Swiss made Record, Daiwa 2100B and the reel of unknown origin other than Japan. Maybe someone will know what it is. I can post individual pics with details if anyone is interested. Thanks for any replies.



(I edited to put the right code around the url for your image. Seems like you were able to upload ok but to insert them into the message, just click on the url address one time and you don't need to drag it. clicking will insert it into your message with the correct code. - Brian)

[Paul M]

Karwatha's are fairly tough. The ultimate Branson find would be a blue Karwartha with the integrated take down fishing rod with tackle in the handle as supplied to the airforce. Not many were ever made and folks that have them are not selling. I was recently offered a rare green version but passed due to the asking price. Here are mine- sorry for the cropped right side.

[gwb]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the pics. Yours are much better condition than mine. Mine has some rust on the spool area and is missing a nut on the spindle next to the handle. I am also on the quest to find out more about the Swiss record reel. It has a strange bail or release "trigger". The reel is similar to the 600 model but must be an older design. I have learned how to attach the pictures finally so here are some of my karwartha. It works fine mechanically, but maybe that it is only good for parts or maybe I can find some part for it. Also a pic of the Record reel.

[Paul M]

The leftmost Karwartha in my picture started out like this before I applied some of the cleaning techniques discussed in the ORCA guide, so there is a shred of hope LOL. You can see all the before and after shots by searching for my prior posts on "Karwartha".



Maybe the plating on your spool is gone. Maybe it is just tarnished and can be polished back to silver. I have been fooled before.

The "reeding" on the bearing cap on my riveted model is a little less refined than the other one. You probably have one on the rear plate that are not shown in your pictures. At least in the case of my NPB versions, the bearing caps are not fit identical. The thread on my older riveted version is wider diameter and thread depth is significantly different. Maybe the TPI is also different, so you need the right one for correct fit. I just went though other similar looking compression bearing caps on Shakespeare, Pflueger and South Bend reels but none of those fit.

I am sure another Karwartha parts reel will pop up here in Ontario, especially if one tries to find one but I would expect the cost to be many times any common parts reel. The next likely events would be the Marmora old tackle show in May and at the next CAFTA show (TBA) later in 2016. I'll keep my eyes peeled if you want me to look. Also if nobody on this ORCA-online site has parts to offer the best alternative would be to ask on http://www.ontariolures.com as Patrick's site is THE go-to bulletin board for collectors of old tackle in Ontario.

[Midway Tommy D]

I am also on the quest to find out more about the Swiss record reel.

They were manufactured by the Record Reel Co in Zurich, Switzerland in the early '60s and sold as both the Record & Hi Record. The Hi emblems said "Record 600 (or) 700 Hi Designed & Produced Exclusively For Horrocks Ibbotson Co Utica NY". Hi imported them to the US. Both styles are, similarly, medium sized.

The 600 is an above rod reel.


The 700 is an under rod reel.


Tom

[gwb]

Thanks a lot Paul and Midway Tommy,
I think you have solved the mysteries of my old reels. they were buried deep in my basement along with old fishing gear. Mostly I have fly fishing rods and reels, a few old Hardy's, but the spin and bait casting reels were a mystery to me. I don't even remember how I came by them, but it would have been over 25 years ago at least. I am still trying to find out about this old reel from Japan with no brand name. It only has an embossment of a fish jumping with an angler on the side of it.
Gary