Penn Seahawk
I got one recently that I believe is very early model. I am not sure how early. It will be the second Seahawk in my collection. I wish I had a camera. I will have to get one soon.
The Seahawk is brown in color and has a nickel finish with a wood bell shaped handle. It has a metal spool and no drag. The free spool is engaged by pulling the handle outward and reengaged by pushing the handle inward like the later Penn 15. The line out alarm is waffled. The handle nut is hexagonal. There is four posts, two front and two rear. The bearing sleeves nuts are round and knurled on the edges. The logo on the handle side says Penn Tackle Mfg co (across top) and Philadelphia Pa (across bottom). It says “Penn” and “Seahawk” and “Patent pend” across the middle. The only damage to the reel is where a previous owner ground the base of the stand. My guess is that this was done to fit the reel to a freshwater rod. The reel is 100% otherwise. I think this is the oldest Penn reel in my collection.
Penn Seahawk middle 30ies????
If you have not read the Penn Seaford thread by m3040c on page 2 I highly recommend it. The 3 post design might have persisted longer than many folks believed, no doubt through '35 on the original models, much longer on the Atlantic.
From your description: definitely prewar, most likely late thrities. IMO "middle 30ies" is the dawn of Penn 1933-1936 when Senators were introduced.
From your description: definitely prewar, most likely late thrities. IMO "middle 30ies" is the dawn of Penn 1933-1936 when Senators were introduced.
Araye50
I was hoping that the Hexagonal nut that holds the handle on the Seahawk would at least date it to 1936 or so but with out clear documentation it was only wishful thinking. It is a really nice reel and is still a very early example of a Penn reel. It shined up really nice and looks great on the shelf above my computer desk.
I don't have a catalog for the early Penn’s. Shame seeing how that is what I am aiming to collect. Penn reels with wood handles and waffle clickers. Maybe I will join ORCA and gain access to the catalogs that are available. I am going to move soon and that will have to wait until I get settled. The earliest catalog that I have is #10 from 1942. I got the catalog with a Penn Seagate that also included a box, lube, sales receipt, and associated papers. I actually only wanted the catalog. I figured I could sell the reel and box later. However it is a very nice reel with a rosewood torpedo handle and no corrosion. That reel has one unique feature. It has a hexagonal line out alarm button. It is the only one in my collection that has this feature. This reel is also the only reel that I have actually nailed down the date on for sure. The other Penn Sea hawk that I have is exactly as the one shown in shown in the #10 catalog. That does not mean that it is not a later model.
I was hoping that the Hexagonal nut that holds the handle on the Seahawk would at least date it to 1936 or so but with out clear documentation it was only wishful thinking. It is a really nice reel and is still a very early example of a Penn reel. It shined up really nice and looks great on the shelf above my computer desk.
I don't have a catalog for the early Penn’s. Shame seeing how that is what I am aiming to collect. Penn reels with wood handles and waffle clickers. Maybe I will join ORCA and gain access to the catalogs that are available. I am going to move soon and that will have to wait until I get settled. The earliest catalog that I have is #10 from 1942. I got the catalog with a Penn Seagate that also included a box, lube, sales receipt, and associated papers. I actually only wanted the catalog. I figured I could sell the reel and box later. However it is a very nice reel with a rosewood torpedo handle and no corrosion. That reel has one unique feature. It has a hexagonal line out alarm button. It is the only one in my collection that has this feature. This reel is also the only reel that I have actually nailed down the date on for sure. The other Penn Sea hawk that I have is exactly as the one shown in shown in the #10 catalog. That does not mean that it is not a later model.