What reel is this?

[Mike Franzen]

Now that I've got some time off for Christmas I get to play with my reels. This one comes from England and is simply marked "Surfcasting" on the face plate. Everything is made of polished brass except the handle which is wood. It's extremely well made and estimated to be late 1800's. It does not show any indication of having ever been used. Anyone know anything about who the maker was?

[RAM]

Mike: Pflueger made a similar reel marked simply Surf Casting.The end caps, crank shaft, milling, possibly the pillar shoulders, and serif lettering on your reel are similar to one I once had. It was nickel plated. That one you show may once have been nickel plated as well.The crank counter balance is bit questionable. The Pflueger model dated from 1900 to perhaps 1907. Will look but I think I traded that one, although I can look at the 1900 and 1904 catalogs and get back to you.

Merry Christmas-Bad Bob

[Midway Tommy D]

Mike, here's some "Surf Casting discussion from a couple of years ago.

BB, I think the Plueger you are talking about is at the bottom of that discussion in Brian's post.

There's a lot of similarities in all these "Surf Casting"s. Plueger trade, maybe?

[Mike Franzen]

I googled "Pflueger Surf Casting" and this is one I found that appears to be exactly like mine except it is silver. I guess it's a Pflueger reel. Needs a thumb break though. Thanks again for all the help. Happy I'm a member.

[wrong99]

Yours was silver (nickel plated) at one time.
Mark

[Paul M]

It may still have the complete nickel finish but there is a patina on the silver that would wipe off if you cleaned/polished but it looks good to me as is.

Paul

[BILL HOERTER]

Mike your reel is a Montague. Yes Pflueger made a reel just like your reel & if you look in the Montague 1907 catalog you will see your reel & if you look in the Pflueger 1907 catalog you will see that the Pflueger reel does look a lot like the Montague but there are some subtle differences. Come to the ORCA National Convention in Branson, Missouri Sept 6th-10th 2017 & I hope to have some Pflueger - Montague Salt Water reels look a likes there so you can see how to tell the difference between the two every time. Bill Hoerter

[Mike Franzen]

Thanks for the invite Bill. This old reel is a world traveler. It was resting in England for years before I found it. I don't it is chrome or nickel plated. It's brass. Hope to meet you. Best, Mike

[RAM]

Mike: Don't want to wait nearly a year. What are the subtle differences?

Bad Bob

[Mike Franzen]

Good question!