Help identifying vintage reel

[njg425]

Hello everyone, I was recommended that I try you guys to try to figure out what this is. Poking around on here and elsewhere I haven't been able to pin it down. I found this old reel that I believe to be my great grandfather's which would date it sometime pre 1945-50ish. I'm curious as to what it is and what it was used for. Its a small levelwind reel with solid bakelite side plates. It doesn't have a drag or any way to disengage the crank handle. However, it does have a clicker mechanism and when I had it apart it to clean it up it seemed to me that the mechanism is identical to the Penn reels I have seen. There are no markings on it inside or out other than a made in USA stamped into the reel seat. Thanks in advance for any insight you guys might have!

[john elder]

I believe you have a Bronson trade reel there. It was one of numerous economical freshwater casting reels that they made for a number of different companies...thus the term "trade reel"...often unmarked.

If you want to chase further, you can browse around the Bronson website hosted by ORCA

http://www.bronsonreelphotos.com/bronso ... sears.html

I did not see your exact reel, but it's similar to some models made for Sears (JC Higgins)

[njg425]

Thanks for the info. Your're right, it nearly matches that Sears J.C Higgins. Very interesting. I'll keep digging

[darylrose61]

looks to have ocean city knobs ,my 2 cents Daryl.

[sdlehr]

The stand is also very Ocean City-like.

[wrong99]

Unmarked Ocean City trade reel, along the lines of their "St. Claire" and "St. Paul" models.
Mark

[sdlehr]

Check out the second set of photos on this page

[Midway Tommy D]

It sure looks like the St. Clair except it isn't black. Maybe it's like the No. 21 General Service and came in more than one color.