Orvis 50A Mystery
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Orvis 50A Mystery
I just got a very clean Orvis 50A. The bail has been soldered next to the bearing (see picture). At first I thought this was a repair, but a good number of otherwise pristine 50As on eBay have the exact same configuration, so it looks to me like it is a variant and not a repair. There appear to be at least two other variants. If it isn't a repair, I'm surprised that Orvis would do this since it is not up to the quality standard that they tried to present. Does anyone know the story on this?
Kevin
Kevin
Kevin Haney, Vintage Anglers
http://www.vintageanglers.com
http://www.vintageanglers.com
- john elder
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Re: Orvis 50A Mystery
No factoids to add, Kevin, but i’m betting thats a post-production modification to add Some strength to an area that would be easily bent during use.
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
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
Honorary Life Member
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
- Midway Tommy D
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Re: Orvis 50A Mystery
The 50A had multiple bail variations throughout its evolution. That may have happened during the change over from Zangi to Coptes, but I'm not sure. I would guess Sergio should have some insight on how and when those variations took place.
One type is a straight wire attached to the bail arm line guide bracket. Another is a two piece taper to the bail arm line guide bracket. A third is conical cover on the end of the bail wire that attaches separately to the bail arm.
Here's my straight wire 50A:
Here's one that I heisted from JE's P Bucket account that is just like yours:
Here's one with the conical cover:
One type is a straight wire attached to the bail arm line guide bracket. Another is a two piece taper to the bail arm line guide bracket. A third is conical cover on the end of the bail wire that attaches separately to the bail arm.
Here's my straight wire 50A:
Here's one that I heisted from JE's P Bucket account that is just like yours:
Here's one with the conical cover:
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)
Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
Re: Orvis 50A Mystery
Greetings to everyone. Rest assured it is not a modification but completely normal in the first versions, it is a normal reinforcement also present in the other Zangi models. Renzo Di Paolo ANTIPES
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Re: Orvis 50A Mystery
Thanks for all of the information everyone! I'm glad it is not a repair but like I said in my original posting, I'm surprised that Orvis would have visible welds on a high end reel.
Kevin
Kevin
Kevin Haney, Vintage Anglers
http://www.vintageanglers.com
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Re: Orvis 50A Mystery
- john elder
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Re: Orvis 50A Mystery
Ha! I’m glad somebody can get pics off my old PB account, Tommy! They spammed me to death and I finally stalked off! Sorry for the misleading comment, Kevin. I was thinking that it was a Mitchell modification “post-production”, not by some garage hack like me...ie, they made without it and quickly realized the reinforcement was needed. Obviously, this was an issue that required yet further consideration over time. Nice newsy post, Folks!
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
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
Honorary Life Member
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