Penn fans, need reference help?

[hurdpete]

Just a note on the line numbers referred to in this thread - the line sizes that Harvey indicated are for linen lines sized in "threads" - a size 9, or 9 thread line, is 27 lb. test (one thread = 3 lb.), 12 thread = 36 lb., and so on. That's why you see a lot of old nylon saltwater lines with 18, 27, 36 and 45 lb. tests- they're a carryover from the older linen line sizes. The even number tests, like 20, 30, 40, etc. didn't come in until the advent of monofilament.

[Araye50]

Kewl! I did not know the Penn F free spool operated like that. Those reels were genuinely Bakelite, the name of a unique material that has been applied to many old plastics that were not. I'm still curious how you found your F. Most of my reels have come from flea markets & yard sales, only a few from collectors, B&T/repairmen, or ebay.

I don't think I've ever seen one, even before I started collecting & looking for old Penns. Wonder how often they come up on ebay? I had not known to look specifically for a Model F, but none were on ebay, active or completed auctions when I did. The searching is like a fishing trip, a great part of the pleasure of collecting.

Had the opportunity to visit NZ. In the small world dept, old friends from Florida married & moved to Dunedin. She got work doing illustrations for a NZ professional friend in paleontology. We toured widely while I was there. Then I got a rental car & made my way to the north island to look around & visit a SAAB car enthusiast I'd done some trading & corresponding with.

[Araye50]

Harvey,
Alas, I'm a poor boy who used to join all kinds of enthusiast groups & now find myself gullible enough to think the WWW access I pay for is a better way. I was in FATC for awhile & have attended many of their shows, FATC of course deals mostly w/lures. I've come to appreciate the wheat from chaff phenomenon, even reel enthusiast newsletters have predominantly information that is of little interest to me. I was in 2 International Harvester groups while I was active with 1 IH model line. Sure, I have passing interest in many other tractors & appreciate the many benefits.

I went thru the list of back issues & topics, noticed just 3 articles over 10 years on Penn & 2 on Mitchell, 1 being about the Roberts book. Those 3 specific articles on Penn, in spring issues of '95 & '97 and the summer '96 may be worth their weight in gold, but w/gas prices being what they are I'll have to wait before ordering them for $20 to find out. By way of comparison the 2 Penn 4/0s, Penn 150, & Mitchell 302 & 300 cost a total of $30. When you're poor you've got to sacrifice & pick carefully.

[Reel Geezer]

There were a lot more articles on Penn and Mitchell than you found in your count. We had a whole series on Mitchell and a column on surf reels that covered Penn many times. These were not listed along with lots of other stuff.

Back issues and catalogs are available only to ORCA members.

[fish collector NZ]

Hello again from NZ
Sorry Araye, I forgot to tell you my Model F was infact found on Ebay.
Just remember not everone is an expert when it comes to listing a common "Penn Reel".

[Araye50]

Yes, if I have the time & patience I'll look at everything & should do it more often. After years of searching I finally found a holy graille of my Mitchell collection, a half bail pre 302. It was misidentified as a common, late, less desirable model & the thumbnail photo left doubt that it was even a Mitchell! The seller knew nothing & was unresponsive to questions. No doubt all factors for why I won the auction.

[Araye50]

Thanks for the tip about the history article on the 1st Penns in their 2005 catalog. Very nice, it did take a minute to realize that the 3 reels on the 1st page are the same reels as on the 2nd page. Readers should note that the toll free phone number posted (877 477-7200) gets you a Penn clothing & accessories dept, that can not provide catalogs. They give you this number: 215 221-1123.

To expedite, I tried my local B&T 1st & was able to acquire a copy the same day.

I also acquired a Penn BAYHEAD reel to refurbish, it becomes the oldest Penn in my collection & only 1 w/wood knob. Possibly as old as the late '30s, it shares many features of those 1st 2 models. It has the K star drag (looking) side plate, but is w/o inside chrome rings like a model F. However, it has the familiar 'Penn wrench' handle nut, instead of the earlier hex nut AND it has the familiar hex spool bearing cap instead of the earlier round knurled oiler.

What sold me though was another of those crude 'scrimshaw' scenes cast into the side plate peeking out from beneath the grime. Unfortunately all 6 photos in the '05 catalog are crank side views, so I can only guess how those looked on those earliest models, 1933-34 or so. The scene features a shore w/fishing pier, lighthouse & sailing ship. The only ID is PENN BAYHEAD Pat'd. & 250 on the base, which prompts the question, when did Penn go to it's standard parts numbers? Collecting reels is such a slippery slope. Guess the K & F models are the holy graille, records show that less than 2,400 side plates, so marked, were made before Otto Henze decided to rename the reels as the (F) SEAHAWK & (K) BAYSIDE. I'm still confused about the introduction of the star drag (LONG BEACH), Penn is including it w/those 1st 2 reels, but believe the new names might have been on boxes holding F or K reels until the side plates were used up.

[fish collector NZ]

Greetings from NZ
Hi Araye, congratulations on your latest find. I also have one of these Bayheads. Unfortunately I can't help with an exact year of manufacture.
Is the clicker button flat in shape with a thatched wafer pattern? If it isn't, then your reel probably isn't an early edition from the period you suggest.
However don't be too disapointed there are many good reasons to collect the various models of Penn reels, apart from date of manufacture. As you have discovered, some of the art work in the moulds that produced some of the side plates is interesting. The first Penn reels didn't have any of the elaberate art work. My earlier models, Model F, Sea Hawk, and early edition Sea Ford (three space bars only, not four) have no decoration apart from the nice looking early model stamps.

[Araye50]

Thanks, it was a good afternoon, I lucked into a 1st ever attempt to have an antique tackle sale at the local B&T. Oddly I had called to ask for a'05 Penn catalog & specifcally asked if it had the history article & the clerk did not mention the sale & I did not expect to have time to go that day. Then when other plans fell thru I had time to catch them before closing. The fellow w/BAYHEAD was nearly packed to leave & unseen outside the building! His dad started a B&T in '53 that only closed last year, he has a ton of stuff! We exchanged numbers. I expected to see him there today, but he did not show, so I'll be visiting, he has neurological problems & must liquidate. Just from the walls of the B&T he took down over 500 reels! He has sold most of the NOS, but has tons of parts & as is reels, I'll need to bring the check book.

The BAYHEAD does have an interesting clicker button that I think is as you describe. A rather flat dome shaped button that is crosshatched at right angles by 10-12 rows, & a nice pattern of tiny squares. Penn seems to remain consistant about never showing the back sideplates. The BAYHEAD 'illustration' in my #8 catalog is a BRIDGE CITY w/wood knob! Also, now understand how the #32 NEWPORT fits in, basically an F with paired posts & open top. Believe me, I'm happy to find virtually any preWW2 reels these days & the farther gone they are often the better I like it.

I also have a SEAGATE w/broken plastic spool & early Delmar 285 w/half a back sideplate, hint, hint. Suspect they're both prewar. Am considering moving the crusty chrome spool into the SEAGATE, its got another scene, the 285 had the field of dots. Also working on freeing up a couple of early handles, got both plastic knobs off today.

So short of getting more input on those scenes & dates, who has parts? Definitely want to get a wider assortment of old Penn catalogs too.

[Gabby]

If I ever get my butt in gear, I can at least provide you with catalog dates and a few other goodies. I'll post to the board this winter with what's done. Hey, These look good next to the lures