colors

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:42 am

How about the colorful Penn reels of the mid 1950's. I have a small collection of the colored reels. It includes a Light Geen Penn 26, a Light Gray Penn 25 and a Penn 9, 109 and 209 in a darker green. In the process of purchasing these reels one of the sellers mentioned to me that there were Penn proto-types in other colors, such as white. Has anyone come across any of these reels in any other colors besides the production models I have mentioned? From what I have read about these reels, they did not last to long because there were problems with the colored sideplates. I am not sure what type of problems Penn had with these reels.

Dr. Rob · Post by **Dr. Rob** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:22 pm

Wait and see if Laurie (or someone else) comes 'round with some pics of the End of Days reels.

They're a knockout.

Post by **john elder** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:33 pm

I wouldn't say that Penn never made white versions...as Dr. Rob indicated, Laurie will know the answer on all this and has some fantastic pics of some of the more colorful "end of week" reels...however, Mitchell saltwater reels, which are white, have been mistaken on occasion for Penns.

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:32 am

I have some of the Mitchell White conventionals. If Penn had the same problems that the Mitchells have, I understand why they went to the darker colors. About the only way I have been able to find a Mitchell without a cracked sideplate is to buy one that has never been fished. I think they are a very pretty, strong, well made reel but the sideplates just crack and stain at all the oiling and stress points. Their faults usually do not affect the fishability of the reel but they get more ugly with use. After about tens years of regular use they would all qualify for the Nationals Reel Tossing Event.

Phantom Fisher · Post by **Phantom Fisher** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:21 am

Note the Dix drag attachment.

Not a Mitchell.

fishbugman · Post by **fishbugman** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:00 pm

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:33 am

I am going to take a short piece of Penn history from an article on the website,www.drqsreelsandknives.com >.

""""""""""In Penn Catalog 18 (1954 or 55), the Penn 26 was shown to be sold with green side plates while the Penn 25 had Gray side plates and the Penn 27 had maroon side plates. This was the first time that Penn made these three reel models. They were made until 1968 (13 or 14 years). In catalog 18, the Penn model 9, 109 and 209 were still sold with black side plates.

In Catalog 19 (1955 or 56), the 26 still sold with green side plates along with gray plates for the 25 and maroon for the 27. However, in Catalog 19 is the one and only time that moss green side plates are advertised for the model 9, 109 and 209. Prior to this the models 9, 109 and 209 were made with black side plates. The model 9 was first sold in Catalog 17 while the 209 reels where first sold in Catalog 15.

Apparently, Penn had trouble with the colored sided reels as they quickly (after one year with the 9, 109 and 209 and two years for the models 25, 26 and 27) changed to the traditional black color. In catalog 23 (1960), Penn began selling color side plates as replacements for all six models. they continued to sell these plates through Catalog 30 (1967).

Only four Penn reels were ever made with green side plates. The model 9, 109 209 and the 26."""""""""""""""""""""

I hope you all found this a little interesting. I have both the Catalog 18 and 19 and find this information to be on the money.

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:41 am

Those two old Penns are amazing. I have never seen anything like them. I believe they belong in a vault.

Thank you !

Mike Cass

Dr. Rob · Post by **Dr. Rob** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:08 am

What does the DIX drag attachment do?

fishbugman · Post by **fishbugman** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:47 am

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:12 am

I know these colored reels were popular with the fishing fleets for rental gear because it made it easier the owner or mate to spot his own rental equipment. I have read that Penn marketed direct to the public fishing fleets by offering Penn 209's with one green side plate and one black. I have seen a few on Ebay presented as such, they sell in the neighborhood of $75 to $100 and have always been 209's, but I am always suspicious that some guy with one green sideplate in his parts bin just decided to build one up.

Anyways, it is always interesting to speculate about Penn. They changed their models more than General Motors.

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:23 am

There is an interesting mark on the White Penn 109 box. Could it be that you have the reel for sale and you have marked down the price from the retail price of $12 to $9.25. If that is so, I'LL TAKE IT!

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:30 pm

Phantom Fisher · Post by **Phantom Fisher** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:41 pm

Sorry, Mike. The white Penn is long gone.

I'll bet Steve Vernon will be able to explain the workings of the Dix drag.

m3040c · Post by **m3040c** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:52 pm

hello Laurie,

Well at least I have seen one and now I know it is not just a fantasy. Thanks to you.

el Lawrence · Post by **el Lawrence** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:12 am

Laurie,

(First of all great to see you again at Nationals)

I REALLY like the "end of day/week" reel photo... fancy drag or not the color is just great (sort of a fireworks display in reel form). Wish I could come up with something like that as I am a sucker for color collecting myself... What a show piece!

Post by **Brian F.** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:53 pm

Just a question if anyone knows in particular but I'm guessing the radial pattern on that multi-colored one is from either spinning the mold after the plastic was injected? Or is it just that the material was injected from the center and pushed outward?

Either way, neat reel and being as Independence Day is right around the corner, from this day forward, I dub thee (and all other similarly patterened types of reels subsequently found in the wild) "4th of July Reel"! Someone let me know when you see an ebay description appear as such

Reelman · Post by **Reelman** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:49 pm

To make it look like that. The plastic or rubber or vinyl is not mixed in the barrel. It is just pushed into the mold after it is melted in the barrel. To get solid colors. As the plastic pellets are pushed down the barrow by a long screw inside the barrel. They are mixed by the screw. The heat comes from heating bands wrapped around out side the barrel.. If you need more info just ask. I work for Shop-Vac for a number of years before I got hurt. I was a setup man. Putting ten+ ton molds into 1000 ton press's to make the plastic parts for the vacuums cleaners. The plastic is injected into the mold from either center or the sides.

Post by **Brian F.** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:09 pm

Thanks Reelman. Aha - so those streaks are melted pellets of different colors that are stretched as the plastic is pushed into the mold.

Similarly, although this occurs more as an aftermarket thing, powder coating and anodizing can make some "everyday" reels.

http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?camo.htm

I have a friend that does custom finished saltwater reels too.

reeldealer44 · Post by **reeldealer44** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:20 pm

i have the 109 in white and several different models of end of day penns but none as vivid as the one laurie showed. ps i believe it was the 155 sold at the martha heinze egly auction. you had to see the bidding on this 155 , i think it sold at 450.00 and worth every penny. i believe for every model reel sold there are proto types and color varations, even the modern reels. anyone with odd colors for sale please contact me. mike popowich

colors

colors

white reels

colored plate problems???

a little history

To Laurie Bingham

possibilities

to Laurie Bingham

white penn

odd color penns