Since we're talking about boxes lately....

[Jim Madden]

...I thought I'd make a shameless plea. The plastic SB treasure chest display box is from 1951. It did not accompany the cheap 300 or 400, but I believe the #666 reel would have had one. Does anyone have the #666 or any chest box not shown in the pic. There might be a #55 but I doubt it. I'd like to at least know about them if I couldn't buy them outright. The L stand for aluminum spool. And, Travis, welcome back. It'll be great to swap stories with you. Good luck on the Douglas. Jim

[Jim Madden]

I hope!

[SWIM JIG]

Jim, those plastic boxes remind me of coffins, must hqave been when South Bend stoped making Quality? when reel backlashed you had a coffin to bury it in? On a serious sode I recall on my (ship) airplane I flew in the mid 50s there was a reel and other hooks, line and a reel with line on it , brown NYLON line the extra line was green on a hand reel. 2 packs of matches, and some sealed meat item all in a aluminum can that had a key that opened it like a coffee can , that reel was a SOUTH BEND and so marked as same. How I wished I had a kit unopened now! The reel looked more like the aluminum Bronson and was a anodized finished! because I had opened it and the Major found out, I got the luxury job of Pulling Targets for the next 30 days, you can wage your best South bend I or no one else in the squadren ever opened anything again when told not too! Col. m. Lorens aka SWIM JIG

[Jim Madden]

Milt, I never thought about those looking like coffins, but you're right; the quality took a big dip right after that. The only SB reel that was a natural anodized color in that time frame was the #650. It was last made in 1942, but reels sometimes do get packed away for a long time. It would have been a good one for your collection, but I know you sure had another job to do at that time. Jim

[Harvey]

If we are going to debate the looks of those boxes between "Treasure Chest" like and the "Coffin" look, I vote for the latter. After all, they did contain a Shakespeare "Trade" reel.
Either way, Great collection Jim,
"H"