Jack Welch hand-made tournament reels

[kyreels]

ORCA has long collected lists of serial numbers for many manufacturers. I have an idea to build a tool on our site to allow any member to contribute a manufacturer, serial number and description, thus crowdsourcing a list for all to review. I have been thinking about how to do this for some time. If you think I should kick this up in priority, let me know.

[castmaster54]

I think this is a great idea!

[colby sorrells]

Mike,
Please add Welch reel 240 to the list. Levelwind. Thanks. Keepin' It Fun! Colby

[Mike N]

Updated 3/2/25

KNOWN Jack Welch handmade reels (58 now reported) serial numbers summary (ca.1931 to ?):

I. Narrow spool tournament (no level wind mechanism) (14): #13,18, 22, 25, 29, 33,44, 60, 67, 68, 70, 75, 76,77

II. Wide spool tournament (no level wind mechanism) (2): #54, 279*

III. Level-wind reels (42) # 0101, 0103, 0120, 0121,0127, 0129,0133, 0152LH, 0153, 0161, 0170, 0171, 0176, 179, 188, 192, 195, 201, 203,206, 230,0233, 237, 238, 240, 243, 250, 252,264, 266, 267, 270, 275, 285, 298, 299, 0304, 307, 316, 337, 345, and 346

*#279 on the wide spool NLW list is pending further review.

[Mike N]

Mike,
I am aware of but do not own, Jack Welch wide spool tournament reel, non-levelwind, #279.



Purchased directly from Jack Welch in the 1950s along with 4 more.

Keepin' It Fun!

Colby

If anyone has some clear photos of serial #279 wide spool tournament, I would like to examine them for any evidence that the level wind mechanism has simply been removed, since this number is clearly an outlier in that three-digit sequence. Thanks.

Mike

[Mike N]

A little more on Welch reel #279



This reel shows a cover where the levelwind gear should be and you can also see the holes in the tailplate BUT the reel was sold as a non-levelwind reel! Was Welch running out of parts and made do with what he had left?

Keepin' It Fun!

Colby

Thoughts on whether 279 should be moved to the level-wind category based on all the data and serial numbers we’ve now accumulated that all the non-level winds had a serial number below #77?

Colby- does the box show the serial number and state it was sold as a non-level wind reel? Thx.

Also, some photos of #54 (the only other reel categorized as a NLW widespool tournament) would be helpful.

Mike

[colby sorrells]

See Keysreels posting Nov 11, 2022 in this thread for photos of No. 54.





Here's photos of the numbers and both of the reels.

I'll talk to the owner of No. 279 again and get more details.

Keepin' It Fun!

Colby

[Mike N]

Thanks, Colby.

The empty level wind mechanism holes on the triple digit 279 make it a non-starter for me absent an original box or invoice showing it was sold as a non-LW, based upon the other data we’ve accumulated. I added an * to #279 on the list above pending further review.

Also, I suppose if we are going to give ORCA acknowledgment that #54 is the only known wide spool NLW, we should include #54’s interior spool width measurement vis-a-vis the other NLWs with double digit serial numbers. It should be greater than 1-1/4”.

The #13 narrow spool has an interior measurement (below) of 1-1/4”.

[KeysReels]

Well, seeing as I am the proud owner of the only known wide spool , non level wind
Welch reel I would like to share that the spool width is 1-5/8" wide.
Cool!
Bill Graves

[colby sorrells]

Thank you Bill.

Mike,
I'll update the info on the No. 279 after I get with the owner.

CS

[KeysReels]

Here are photos of both the wide spool and narrow spool. Bill

[colby sorrells]

Thank you Bill. Good stuff!!!!

Keepin' It Fun!

CS

[kyreels]

Bill,

Have to ask you your thoughts on the line wound on the wide-spool NLW reel. It appears to be 20 lb flax or other heavy line. It certainly was not rigged for tournament casting. Curious if the previous owner had some non-typical usage and if you ever thought you might just strip it off.

Just curious.

[KeysReels]

Hi Matt,
You're correct , the line is definitely heavier than the normal thin lines. It is fairly light and soft , much lighter than the lines I usually find on reels used for fishing. I don't know the back story on the reel..If it had been used for fishing. As a matter of course, I always remove line from reels. For lines that look to be original tournament line I rewrap onto woods spools that held thread and display near the reel.
I did remove the line before hoping there was a wooden spool, but there was not. I re- wrapped the line onto the reel for convenience.
As a side note. I was pleased to find your book, TOURNAMENT CASTING TACKLE , sitting under the Christmas tree. A valued addition to my library for sure! Thank you for making the book a reality!
Bill

[Mike N]

Here are photos of both the wide spool and narrow spool. Bill

Excellent! Thank you.

Mike