Oh! Pinions

[Steve]

Some early NY-style reels can be IDed by the way their pinions are secured on the spool shafts. Here are a few examples of different methods. If you have reels with other methods, known or unknown, please post photos and IDs, if possible.

Top, left to right:
very old Crook - old Crook - Conroy - Karr
Bottom, all unknown

[NJFisherman]

Here are a few of mine. Mostly similar so far...minor differences but I have limited numbers of the same maker so it's tough to confirm if what the did was consistent. Warren is the only roundish one. The unknowns also look like they were not done quite as well...perhaps thats why they were left unmarked.

[Steve]

...it's tough to confirm if what the did was consistent.

You bet, Dave. Thanks for posting that nice array.
Warrin's tough. Here are some pinions from reels marked "Warrin/Maker":

And here are some from reels marked "Warrin's First Quality":

IMHO, Warrin may have used those pinned pinions until he decided that the more common, square-hole mounting was easier...or he switched suppliers. Also IMHO, your bottom left and my bottom right Warrins were made by Karr. I've never seen that "D-shaped" pinion hole on reels made by anyone else.
I suspect that we'll never be able to differentiate among the makers who used square pinion holes.

[kyreels]

Is the purpose of the hole on the shaft to expand the metal or to provide a method for expansion? In other words, what are the ways besides friction that the pinion gear is held in place or is that a consideration?

[Steve]

The holes are centering holes used while turning the spool shafts. The purpose of these anchoring methods is to force the pinions to turn the spools instead of spinning uselessly on the shafts. But some methods, like those wire-pins, prevent easy removal of the gears, making reel disassembly tough.

[klonder]

Does the one count?

[Steve]

Does the one count?

Of course, as long as you slide the gear on the right way. What's the reel?

[klonder]

A Pennell "Allright", Montague built?

[m3040c]

Ocean City used the vom Hofe sliding clutch method. The pinion and spool engagement are done with two parts. The clutch is sliding, mounted onto the pinion, while an eccentric actuated yoke moves the clutch onto or off of the spool keys. The pinion is continuously engaged with the main gear, whether in free spool or retrieve function.



The mounting of the clicker gear on the tail plate side of the reel is more in tune with the old time pinion mountings, done with two irregular flats sort of pressed onto the spool shaft.


The reel using these internals is a1955 Ocean City--Monoline, Model 949

[Jason]

Here are a couple generic NY reels with pinions secured by a screw.

[Steve]

Spiffy, Jason. Any hints as to makers? The upper, silvery reel is missing a brake? Stop?

[RonG]

Hey Jason,

I like your new Avatar.

[Jason]

Steve,
I have no clue.





Ron,
The avatar is a .png file with transparent background. The transparency sort of makes it look 3d.