Value N.O.S. unused 1930's Pflueger Interocean Reel

[Ray Hencken]

Here is an N.O.S. unused 1930's Pflueger Interocean 1885 reel which was found with its hang tags, including a price tag from Edw.K.Tryon Co. 910-912 Chestnut St. Phila. Described in a Pflueger 1934 catalog as a "Free Spool Surf Casting and Fishing Reel", Black Bakelite and Nickle Silver, Gear ratio 3 to 1, 1 7/8" Pillar, 2 3/4" Plate.
The nickle silver has acquired a patina from 80+ years in storage. Estimates of the value of this reel would be appreciated.

[wrong99]

$3.75. Very nice reel from Tryon, Ray.
Mark

[john elder]

cute, Mark :-].....Ray, not high $ but NOS is always a winner. I would venture $65 plus/minus 10...perhaps better from a serious Pfluegerite.

[Tightlines666]

I'm not a serious Pfluegerite, (more of an armchair Pfluegerite), but I would certainly offer you $55+shipping for this reel. NOS is cool.

[Ray Hencken]

Thank you for the offer. I will pm the particulars.

[Tightlines666]

Ok, now that the reel has arrived safely in her new home, can someone (Dr. Brian?) Provide a bit more insight on what year/time frame this reel came from? I would guess second version ca. 1935-42 period... though not sure if this one was still being produced up until the ca. 1956 time frame. Guess I had better brush up on my Pflueger.

[Brian F.]

This timeline came from my friend, the late David Percival's article, Adams to Worth. He noted that catalogs showed that version of the Interocean as being sold from 1934 to 1952. My guess is that it's on the earlier end of that range due to the doorknob shaped hard rubber handle knob (vs. the grey plastic torpedo shaped version). Nice Reel!

[Ray Hencken]

The price tag on the reel is $3.75. My 1934 Pflueger catalog lists the price as $4.00 and the 1937 lists the same price. Does the price tag indicate that the reel is pre 1934 or post 1937? I don't know. I believe that the hard rubber round knob predates the plastic torpedo shaped knob.
The 1937 catalog has a note - "When ordering No. 1885 state if intended for use on Fresh or Salt Water Rod". Why? Perhaps the reel seats were of different sizes.

[RAM]

I covered these reels in some detail as to style, model versions in a Pfueger Pfacts column. Will look it up for anyone who needs the info. But I also wrote two bibliographies covering every Pflueger article by all ORCA writers to reference any reel, truly more info in some than a normal person would need. But, of course, anyone who spends as much time as I have on reels "ain't normal"!

Cheers for inquiring minds! Bad Bob

[Brian F.]

The price tag on the reel is $3.75. My 1934 Pflueger catalog lists the price as $4.00 and the 1937 lists the same price. Does the price tag indicate that the reel is pre 1934 or post 1937? I don't know. I believe that the hard rubber round knob predates the plastic torpedo shaped knob.
The 1937 catalog has a note - "When ordering No. 1885 state if intended for use on Fresh or Salt Water Rod". Why? Perhaps the reel seats were of different sizes.

Ray, I think it's pretty common for a retail price to vary from the catalog price. Catalogs also show the hard rubber knob predating the plastic torpedo shaped knob. Not sure why they asked about use prior but in the 1950s catalogs, there is an 1885F for freshwater and 1885S for salt. Can't remember what the difference exactly was but also leaning towards it being the seat type. Bob's info will set us all straight!

[john elder]

With most reels where they did that, it was a heavier foot for the saltwater version. I seem to recall Mike C. writing about that for some Penn reels??

[Robin Sayler]

John is absolutely correct. The salt water version has a bigger foot that would not fit on most freshwater rods.