Penn Trade Reel Kingfisher

[Biggamereels1988]

Curious to know more about this Penn trade reel. The K on the side plate is very interesting. And the #1 as well. What year do you think this reel is? I of course know the handle is a repair job.

[Eric J]

I’m not familiar with the reel, but I recognize that handle from my childhood! Tinkertoy!

[Biggamereels1988]

Awhile back, I seen a drawer full of the plugs that were used to make this reel. It was a drawer containing Schultz Fire Island, Coronado, Newport, Senator and many others including this Kingfisher. It was way back in 2009 on this site but I can't for the life of me locate it. I believe Mike C. had it.

[Biggamereels1988]

I had these old pictures which photobucket decided to watermark forever. lol But I had 3 early Long Beach's and one had that exact same (K).

[Eric J]

The Kingfisher brand belonged to Edward K.Tryon out of Philadelphia. A search of their catalogs might show this reel.

[Kevin McJunkin]

Maybe Michael Cacioppo will chime in, but according to his outstanding Penn Reels book this reel appears to be a circa 1933 Kingfisher, made for Edward Tryon Co. of Philadelphia. The "circle K" stamp on the inside of the tail plate means that plate was made for Penn by Kuhn & Jacobs Moulding & Tool Co. Penn started manufacturing their own plates in 1933 for certain models, and for all their models after using up their limited run of original Kuhn & Jacobs plates. They changed the frame design from three to four crossbars in 1934.

Really like the handle repair!

[Biggamereels1988]

Thanks Kevin for that very valuable information. Knowing it’s the 1933/1934 year model helps allot. This must be the only company Penn was in contact with early on to have these trade reels made. So Penn’s first reels were

1929-1932
Prototype 1 Mod K
Prototype 2 Mod F

1933
1st Run of reels for Penn Fishing Tackle Company
#1 Seaford
#2 Long Beach
#3 Bay Side
#4 Sea Hawk

Edward Tyron Co. Penn Made Trade Reels 1933
#1 King-Fisher exact copy of Penn Seaford
#2 King-Fisher exact copy of Penn Long Beach

[Biggamereels1988]

I made this image to help identify the years of a Penn Seaford - Is their any other info I should add to this or is any info not accurate.

[m3040c]

I made this image to help identify the years of a Penn Seaford - Is their any other info I should add to this or is any info not accurate.

The actual history is simpler than what you have created. It can be followed in the catalogs with a little help from the first Patent filings.

1--> Patent Filings--July 30, 1932--for the Models F & K. There is no earlier documentation for any Penn reel that I have seen.

2--> The 1933 Catalog--Long Beach, Sea Hawk, Bay Side & the late release Sea Ford (not seen in the catalog) --these are three pillar reels

3--> The 1934 Catalog-- Long Beach, Bay Side, Coronado, Ocean Side, Sea Hawk, Bridge City, Newport & Sea Ford-- these are all four pillar reels with no top pillar. Two pillars forward and two aft. They are all open top reels.

The dome clicker button can only be used for any historical definition on the Model F & K. Penn used up every part during the Depression. Domed clicker buttons after 1932 have been found on all Penn models, presumably used on all models randomly until their supply was used up. Rarely seen after 1933.

[john elder]

Dear Biggame… i can’t believe you are trying to learn about Penn Reel history without owning Mike C.’s books! Mike worked his tail off putting together the Penn story and is gracious about answering questions, but i venture to say there are no questions that have not been addressed in his books! It might be hard to find copies these days, but they are worth their weight in Jigmasters.

J

[m3040c]

Dear Biggame… i can’t believe you are trying to learn about Penn Reel history without owning Mike C.’s books! Mike worked his tail off putting together the Penn story and is gracious about answering questions, but i venture to say there are no questions that have not been addressed in his books! It might be hard to find copies these days, but they are worth their weight in Jigmasters.

Thank you, John. I do not mind answering any questions about the old Penn models. My book is no longer available because of the elusive publisher. Keep wondering if he will ever appear again. For many years I only had to refer collectors to my books, available right here in the bookstore, but can't do that anymore, so I am always willing to answer questions.

Good to hear from you.

[Biggamereels1988]

Yeah, I own Mikes Ocean City book and never got the Penn just yet. I just collect Ocean City and Kingfisher Branded reels .

[BILL HOERTER]

A Kingfisher marked reel without a handle just came on eBay yesterday.