Howdy!
I am attaching some images of a curious reel that I purchased a few months ago, hopefully someone here can help confirm my suspicions about it. I purchased this Pflueger Skillkast on Ebay a few months ago for about $10, and was immediately struck by the interesting scrolling on the side plate; it consists of circles and lines as opposed to the intertwined fish of the later models. I was able to find a match in the '41 cataloge under the name "Ampro Skillkast" in the trade catalogue and just "Skillkast" in the pocket version. I have not found a skillkast in the '40 catalouges, and the skillkasts in the next catalogue, 1948, have the classic fish scrollwork. Does this mean that I potentially have a pre-war skillkast, of the first style put into production?
Image is seller image, I haven't gotten around to taking my own pics yet. I can take more if needed, but they will have to wait until I am home for Christmas break.
I don’t have Bob Miller’s Pflueger baitcaster book handy for other details but that is the design on a first version Skilcast. I don’t think they are particularly rare as I see them often enough but again I’ll defer to a wiser Pflueger collector
-James-
New to reel collecting so bear with me please. I like reel deals!
Yes, it's a pre-war version. They are a bit tougher to find. Based upon the stampings on the reel and design, I think you can refine the age even tighter. If you are an ORCA member, check Bob Miller's old article on the Skillkast reel. If you aren't a member, join ORCA and THEN check Bob's article.
