Jack Welch reel

[Paul M]

James Frank contacted ORCA through its Facebook page asking if anyone can provide info about this reel marked:

JACK WELCH / DOWAGIAC MICH. / HAND MADE

Looks like a winner to me. What can we tell James about his reel?

[Paul M]

See more pics in original post

[wrong99]

Tell him to go to our Reel Research Site where there is some info on Welch's reels. That is, if he can find it. Seems all three of ORCA's reel research websites are rather hidden on this site.
Mark

[john elder]

Jack made some of the finest baitcasting reels ever made...the gearing in those reels is just incredibly smooth...no play..not a sound. Jack was responsible for the design of the early heddon reels and his input made them some of the finest of the day...nice combo! $600-800...high end with that case plus paperwork and pawls, MHO.

[Paul M]

Tell him to go to our Reel Research Site where there is some info on Welch's reels. That is, if he can find it. Seems all three of ORCA's reel research websites are rather hidden on this site.
Mark

Thanks Mark! Here is the page link , arranged alphabetically.
http://www.fishingreelresearch.org/reel-makers.html

[Paul M]

The 4 scribe lines on the foot are interesting.

[Warren Platt]

Tell him odds are it was made around 1950. A very nice reel and I'd love to own it!

Warren Platt

[Paul M]

I learned this morning that James got the reel from his grandfather who is alive. Given the sentimental connection, James does not intend to sell. (Sorry Warren!) I have invited James to join the discussion here. He said he would ask his grandfather about how he came to own the reel. I wonder if he knew Jack Welch?

[Teal]

As the envelope for the Pawls is dated 4-1956 we can pretty much be assured this is an early-to-mid 1950s model. At $75 it was almost certainly the most expensive bait casting reel available in its era. I wonder what the four scratches on the foot mean? I think John's evaluation is right on, although didn't one in the Lang's auction go nearly four figures?

Would love to see a better photo of the paperwork. It's a truly great reel.

-- Dr. Todd

[James.frank89]

Hello guys and gals, sorry it has taken me a while to chime in on this conversation. This reel was given to me by my grandfather a few years ago. I was told it was his fathers. Anyways I plan to keep the reel as it is a family heirloom and has more sentimental value to me than monetary value. I am working on a quality picture of the paperwork. It is very worn and tattered so I must be careful when unfolding it. Thanks for the information and interest!

[GLD56]

I was wondering how close in construction and parts the Welch reels are to the Heddon's such as the 3-35 and 3-25.

[Warren Platt]

I'd say this is a very hard question to answer.

While Welch designed his reels and the good Heddon reels of the early 1920s, the Welch reels were pretty much made and used for tournament casting and the Heddon reels were pretty much made for fishing. This Welch level wind reel is the only reel that I can think of that he made for fishing also, and I think he waited until almost 1950 to begin making it, (Most listings for this reel date it back to the 1930s, but I don't agree.)

I own and have fished with this reel and a Heddon #3-35 and they're not alike. The real difference is that the #3-35 has a heavy spool and the Welch Hand Made has smoother gears and a very light spool. The lighter spool is (once you get use to it) much easier to cast, but requires more skill to use.

I'd say the mass production of the #3-35 would keep it from being as smooth as the hand made reels of Welch.

Sorry for this poor attempt at an answer to your question, but as I said "A very hard question to answer".

I hope someone else can give you a better answer.

[GLD56]

Thank you very much. I thought you gave me as good an answer as someone could have expected.

[Willis Logan]

Warren

Your post was too good----I learned something and I thought I knew it all!

Fun Hobby!

[James.frank89]

Alright guys, here is an update about the reel. I was able to talk to my grandfather over the thanksgiving holiday and here is what he told me.

The reel belonged to his grandfather who originally purchased a Heddon reel that was made by Jack himself. He had an issue with the reel and had to send it back for repairs. Jack recieved the reel and realized it was one of the first reels he had ever made and contacted my ( i guess great great grandfather) and asked him if he could keep the reel for his own personal collection. In return, he offered to send him one of his new handmade reels (the reel we are discussing now) in exchange for the older heddon. So Jack sent him the hand made reel and according to my grandfather, he doesnt recall the reel ever being used.

I was really excited to hear this information, it just made the story of the reel that much cooler.