Dating of a Penn Master Mariner 349

[B.Mac]

I have a master mariner 349 it was my grandfathers. I wonder if anyone can tell me the year of the real. I don't have a box or any literature that goes with it.

[Wayne B.]

The 349 was first introduced in 1957 and discontinued in the mid 80's. I can't get any closer without the box and paperwork.

[B.Mac]

Is there a date stamped on the inside of one of the side panels? I really don't want to take it apart. It's in such a nice shape.

[wrong99]

Is there a date stamped on the inside of one of the side panels? I really don't want to take it apart. It's in such a nice shape.

No.

[B.Mac]

Anyway to give an approximate date?

[wrong99]

Read Wayne's answer above. He made it pretty clear that it can't be dated without the box and paperwork.
Mark

[m3040c]

By the style of your handle knob and the black side plates, I would estimate your reel in the early 1970's. All through the late 1950's and 1960's, the 349 was Maroon. It changed to Black in the early 1970's. These are approximate dates because the other members are correct. To accurately date this reel you would need the box or catalog that came with it.

There is another trait of the reel which can directly affect its performance and value. Your reel is a non-convertible model (only one control lever on the head plate displays that). It may also be a standard model, with the slow retrieve ( 2 1/3 to 1 ). The high speed 349 (3 1/4 to 1 retrieve ratio ) is a much more common reel.

[Wayne B.]

Convertible - Non Convertible....how do these differ?

[m3040c]

Convertible - Non Convertible....how do these differ?

The convertible feature simply means that the second control lever mounted on the head plate will enable the fisherman to engage or disengage the auto-reverse function. Basically converting the reel to a auto or non-auto reverse reel. This feature allows the fisherman to feed out line using the handle, rather than just putting the reel into free spool mode.

Here is a Penn Master Mariner 349 with the convertible feature:

Notice the second lever on the head plate. The reel presented here by B.Mac does not have the convertible option.

[Wayne B.]

Thanks Mike.

[m3040c]

You are welcome Wayne...

[OCauto]

The #25 CATALOG Copyright 1963 introduced the new narrow spool Master Mariner
3 Models
349 Single Lever Black Plates
349H Single Lever Maroon Plates Blank/Boss where second lever wasn’t
349HC Double Lever Black Plates 31/4 to 1 Ratio
The very early models had knurling on the lever knobs and the counter weights
The color of plates remained consistent on all models

[m3040c]

349 Single Lever Black Plates

I do not see anywhere in the #25 catalog that says the side plates are black.

[OCauto]

349 Single Lever Black Plates

I do not see anywhere in the #25 catalog that says the side plates are black.

Have you ever seen a 349H single lever with maroon plates?

[kingfisher]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Penn-Master-Mar ... 43db551f2b

There are 4 x #349's with single levers and maroon plates on Ebay at the moment . This is the best one to see the maroon colour . I have noticed many times that they appear black in photos but often show the maroon tint when you see the bakelight between the side plate rings.

[m3040c]

Thank you Ray, the answer is Yes, I have seen 349's with single levers in Maroon. I do not believe that Penn made the 349 in different colors in the same year. I see no reason why Penn would vary the side plate color according to model type; but. as I have said many times, "As soon as you think you know all the answers about Penn reels, someone will prove to you that you do not."

BTW,

The very early models had knurling on the lever knobs and the counter weights

You are correct about the knurling on the levers on the early models; but, all 349's have Power Handles, which do not have counter weights.

[m3040c]

Since this thread is about Dating the 349, I feel that getting the introduction year correct for the sake of this thread is important. The Penn 349 was introduced in the Penn #20 catalog of 1957. In its introduction year there were four models, which were later reduced to three;



In Catalog #24, the 349C model was discontinued, making that particular model the hardest one to find of the group. Finding any slow speed 349 today is harder than the other models, simply because most buyers wanted the high speed model, consequently increasing their production when compared to the low speed models.

I wish I could have included all this information in my book; but, if I tried that, I would probably still be writing it. There are a massive amount of quirks about the brand.

[Wayne B.]

I think there is an error in the Penn catalogue page that Mike posted. Shouldn't the four models be 349, 349C, 349H, and 349HC? I noticed this because I have a blue, one-piece box for a 349HC. Unfortunately my 349 reel only has one lever so my reel and box don't match. Once again a "Reel Talk" thread has me shopping again!

[m3040c]

I think there is an error in the Penn catalogue page that Mike posted. Shouldn't the four models be 349, 349C, 349H, and 349HC?

No, in catalog 24, the 349C was discontinued. So, after 1962, there are three 349 models, the 349, 349H and 349HC.

You are correct about the reel you have being incorrect for the box you have. You should check the retrieve ratio of your reel. If it is a slow speed reel (349), you have the hard to find model, the high speed, single lever model (349H), is much more common .

[Teal]

Wow ... you Penn guys sure know your stuff!!!

[1badf350]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but are the spools interchangeable between the slow 349 and 349H?

[m3040c]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but are the spools interchangeable between the slow 349 and 349H?

Yes, the spools are interchangeable. The difference is in the gearing and with Penn. the spools do not carry the pinion gear, it stays in the side plate and engages or disengages from the spool.

[Nick in NY]

Learn something new everyday! There what l call a narrow Senator unless you're dealing with the out of states wide spool made for South African market. Tight

[m3040c]

Learn something new everyday! There what l call a narrow Senator unless you're dealing with the out of states wide spool made for South African market. Tight

Hello Nick, long time no see!!. Splitting hairs here. The wide spool designed for the South Africa market was a 49, not 349.
The wide 349 is the one known as the Wahoo Special. Very different design reasoning behind each reel.