Looking for some information on this JVH reel

[LeVan49]

I recently picked up this JVH / Conroy silver king 5/0 size reel . I am trying to nail down a rough Estimate of what year it was made and how many of these 5/0 size reels are still around . Also there is a #1 stamped on the inside of each throw off . Would this be a serial # for the reel ? It’s the only number I see stamped on it besides the 5/0 on the bottom of the foot . Some before and after photos posted













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[Steve]

That 1911 patent date should give you a hint as to the date of manufacture. By 1915, it probably would have evolved into the B/Ocean.

[john elder]

Nice rescue! Beautiful, well-made reel! Most i’ve seen of this model are smaller sizes, but can’t speak to rarity,. but i would be gripping it tightly if i found it!

J

[LeVan49]

Nice rescue! Beautiful, well-made reel! Most i’ve seen of this model are smaller sizes, but can’t speak to rarity,. but i would be gripping it tightly if i found it!

J

Thanks , I’ve been able to find some smaller versions and saw a few early catalogs that made it look like the 5/0 was a added model and the largest size made in this reel( I’m not sure if that’s correct ) . Normally I can find at least one sold listing but I came up empty on this one .

[LeVan49]

Thanks Steve , this #1 is stamped on the inside of each throw off . Would that be the serial number ? I was hoping someone else would have the same model and be able to confirm .

That 1911 patent date should give you a hint as to the date of manufacture. By 1915, it probably would have evolved into the B/Ocean.

[reeltackle]

That 1911 patent date should give you a hint as to the date of manufacture. By 1915, it probably would have evolved into the B/Ocean.

Sweet Reel - There is a possibility that it might have been made after the invention of the star drag and after Julius began producing the B-Ocean reel. The new star drag B-Ocean reels were pretty pricey and Julius still offered the less expensive, non-star drag reels, like yours, for sale. This reel also lacks the sliding oil covers and "S" handle offered on higher end JvH reels. JvH continued to make less expensive, non-star drag salt water reels for several years after the invention of the star drag, however, taking into account the machining on the rear hard rubber side-plate and the front side-plate's German silver insert I would guess that it would be sometime between 1911 and 1920.

Do both of the rim throws operates clickers or does the front side-plate rim throw operate a drag? The front rim throw on the B-Ocean reel operated the freespool. There would be no need for freespool on a reel without a drag.

[Steve]

There would be no need for freespool on a reel without a drag.

Both JVH patents of 3/21/1911 described freespool clutches, and one included an internal drag. See pp.65 and 132 of my book.

[reeltackle]

Thanks Steve , this #1 is stamped on the inside of each throw off . Would that be the serial number ? I was hoping someone else would have the same model and be able to confirm .

About the number 1 stamped on the rim throw. Often these reels were made in batches, so, let's say they were making nine reels, all the parts for a certain reel would be stamped with the same number. Remember, these reels were being made by hand so if they were making nine reels of the same model, each reel could still be a just little different so they built and fitted each part to a particular reel and numbered them so they could tell which part went on which reel when they assembled them later after all the parts were made.

[LeVan49]

Thanks Ed , the front rim throw does operate a freespool . Here’s some photos of the spool and internals

That 1911 patent date should give you a hint as to the date of manufacture. By 1915, it probably would have evolved into the B/Ocean.

Sweet Reel - There is a possibility that it might have been made after the invention of the star drag and after Julius began producing the B-Ocean reel. The new star drag B-Ocean reels were pretty pricey and Julius still offered the less expensive, non-star drag reels, like yours, for sale. This reel also lacks the sliding oil covers and "S" handle offered on higher end JvH reels. JvH continued to make less expensive, non-star drag salt water reels for several years after the invention of the star drag, however, taking into account the machining on the rear hard rubber side-plate and the front side-plate's German silver insert I would guess that it would be sometime between 1911 and 1920.

Do both of the rim throws operates clickers or does the front side-plate rim throw operate a drag? The front rim throw on the B-Ocean reel operated the freespool. There would be no need for freespool on a reel without a drag.

[LeVan49]

After seeing some old catalog cuts I would guess this reel was made somewhere from 1912-1915 and Is a combination of the Conroy Silver King and the JVH Freespool reel made just before the ocean B . The 5/0 size for this reel must have been unpopular in its time because many of the collectors I have talked to can not recall seeing another one in this size , it seems the 2/0-3/0 were the more popular options .