Help with James Heddon and Sons reel

[Gunner1961]

Need some help with a reel I picked up today. It is a James Heddon and Sons Dowagiac Mich. Winona. I've seen these but this one is different than what I'm use to seeing. On the foot it is marked Pat. Pending the only other mark is a oval with 105 in it. Below the oval is the letter E . The reel appears to be nickel silver and should clean up nice.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. After a closer look with a glass it looks like it may be a 103 in the oval.

[wrong99]

Should be 105 or 108. I don't know what significance the "E" has, if any. I'm not too familiar with these, but I think the patent was assigned to Heddon in 1929, so yours could be earlier? I don't think it's nickel silver, either, but hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Mark

[Gunner1961]

I took a polishing cloth to the foot and it shines up just like nickel. Thanks for the info!

[wrong99]

Nickel plated, more than likely.
Mark

[Don Champion]

It is missing the line guide which attaches to the two holes seen on the back side. On most of these someone always removed the line guide. It's a piece of wire that is bent around the front with an agate guide in it.

[Jonathan P. Kring]

I may have around a dozen of them.( Don't tell my wife!) These two about the same, both have the line guides. Neither of these are agate. Some of mine have guides, some don't.

[wrong99]

I think your reel is the earliest "Winona" reel marketed by Heddon after they purchased Benson or Kaufman of Wisconsin. Maybe 1927-1928? I can't remember exactly, with what remains of my brain. Yours is the Benson-style example, with all the holes? Used to be called the "Benson"? Hopefully, somebody knows what I'm talking about?
Mark

[Jonathan P. Kring]

I have got one old Benson. I was noticing the holes looked much the same as on his.

[Gunner1961]

Gentleman i appreciate the information. I will have to keep my eyes open for a downer to possibly replace the line guide. Even without it I think it's a dandy reel. Mark, you are correct about the nickel plate. I'm not sure why I threw the silver in. I will post some more pictures once I have it all cleaned up.
Thanks

Scott

[oc1]

When using a Wainona or other Indiana style reel for bait casting you will get much more distance without the reel line guide. Put the striper guide on the rod at about 24 inches from the arbor and lean it to the right if necessary to align it with the spool. This will take care of line lay on the retrieve.
-steve

[Jim Schottenham]

I think the maker you were thinking of is Charles Boyer (not Benson), who patented his Winona series of reels in 1923 - Pat. #1471377. Heddon did acquire the rights to these years later.

A few boxed (and non-boxed) pre-Heddon examples:




And yes, they were nickel silver with some aluminum parts.

[Jonathan P. Kring]

I meant to say Boyer. "Old Age" or perhaps "CRS". Got both! Not sure I have a Benson, do have an old Boyer! Thanks.

[wrong99]

Yes, I distinctly said "Boyer" in my post, too. Someone was able to change it without me knowing (probably to make it look like I didn't know what I was talking about). Kidding, of course. Thank you, Jim. Those boxed examples are awesome.
Mark

[Brian F.]

Mark, sorry, don't know what happened but Len, John E and I don't have time for that kind of stuff much less any desire to. The Russians, however.......

[Jonathan P. Kring]

I'm on the phone with D.T. right now!

[wrong99]

Jon,
Try to get him into fishing. It's our only chance!
Mark