Gambles Tomboy Reel and the Deep Dive on Gambles

[Biggamereels1988]

I recently purchased a lot for a measly $10. It was an unbelievable buy for sure. It contained 4 Boxed Bronson Reels and 2 Tom Boy Reels. I was curious on where the 2 Tomboys where sold because I can clearly see it resembles a Bronson reel. So here is their story from what I can gather.






I first searched "Tomboy Fishing Reel" using worthpoint. I came across only 1 sale for a Tomboy reel and a Tomboy Box. This is the only image.


(Edited to Remove wrong info)

[kyreels]

Good find. Wonder what discount or premium Bronson had for such a short-run reel? I mean, how many could they have made?

[Biggamereels1988]

I'm guessing Bronson was taking anything they could find until True Temper acquired them.

[Biggamereels1988]

From what worthpoint and the 2 that I have in my possession I counted 14 sales of them going back to 2009.

[Biggamereels1988]

Ok, now I noticed something. It contains an apostrophe on the box. Is it related to this store? idk.. your guess is as good as mine.

[kyreels]

Could be Gamble's Dept Store https://digital.lib.ku.edu/ku-dambra/368

[Eric J]

We had a Gambles Department store in Hastings Michigan (a very small town) of all places, and I think it may have been the only one in Michigan but I’m not sure.

[colby sorrells]

They were called "Gamble Stores" in their newspaper advertisements. The "Tom Boy Level Wind Reel" was listed selling at 85 cents in the Gamble Stores advertisement of May 1940 which ran across the country including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Colorado. They also sold the Stalwart level wind reel, Union Jack Fly Rod Reel, Crest levelwind reel, Titan Level wind reel and the Oreno Fly Reel. The May 16, 1940 Green Bay Press-Gazette ran almost a full page of articles about the Gamble Stores including photos of the founders.

The November 2007 Reel News has a lengthly article about the company. You can view online if you are a ORCA member.
Not a member? Why not? The best money you can spend and there are many reel companies found in the numerous articles in the Reel News.

Keepin' It Fun!

Colby

[Biggamereels1988]

Colby you son of a .... Good Job! I think that earned another $40 to ORCA today. lol I gotta check that out.

[Biggamereels1988]

So from more research I do believe the Tomboy was manufactured by the Great Lakes Sporting Goods Company.

[kyreels]

Hail the piccolo player in the truck. Classic parade band.

[mark bumgarner]

Nice find! What other reels came in the lot?
Can you expand on your thoughts as to why this is a Great Lakes reel. I am not familiar with this reel other than my predecessors have it listed as a Bronson made trade reel on our Bronson page. I have only online photos to go by but it could be the twin to the Bronson made "Casta" trade reel. Most Great Lakes reels I have viewed have a more semi-conical (if that is even a word) shape on the bearing end, where as the Tom Boy reel has a more bullnosed (I know that is a word cause I heard my dad say it) like many other Bronson reels.
Looking forward to your thoughts and those of anyone else who has some insight.

[Biggamereels1988]

OK it's Bronson. - Thanks for telling me to check the site I'm on. Hahaha

Yeah I came across a Hiawatha that had the same handle, end cap, clicker, said Gambles and below that it said Lexington.

It is strange that I have 2 different Tom Boy reels. Unusual... - The other reels were common Bronson's.

[mark bumgarner]

OK, well i just wanted to make sure the Bronson pages are correct! Robert Ellis and Mark Williams did a heck of a job with support from many other members, however if a mistake is discovered I want to make sure it is corrected. Appreciate all the effort you put into advancing our cause. Happy hunting!

Bummy