Populo Reel

Steve K · Post by **Steve K** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 4:14 am

I am curious as to what this reel looks like. I just picked up a box for one, and the only information I can find is in Stu's "Lawson's Price Guide to Old Fishing Reels." It looks to have been a high quality free spool Hendryx reel with a "s" handle. Does anybody have one that they could shoot me a picture of? or tell me more about this reel?
Thanks
Steve K

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 5:18 am

I'm not sure that "high quality" applies to the reel, but here's a shot of one style:

The reel was made in at least one other style and in a variety of sizes. It incorporated Hendryx's patented adaptation (1891) of Harris's automatic freespool clutch (1890), which was a model of simplicity. Here's a pic:

When an S-shaped "clutch plate" on the rotating crankshaft grabs those pins on the main gear, the gear is swung into mesh with the pinion.

Now, please show us the box!

Steve K · Post by **Steve K** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 7:20 pm

Steve..
Thanks for the pictures and information.
I hope it is the correct box for that reel, but I am not sure.
See Ebay item # 3661856666 for which I was the winning bidder.
It was listed as a Pennell box that also included a second Pennell box, (for which I had a reel),but the name Populo caught be off guard. I knew I had seen it somewhere and grabbed Stu's book.
I have a few Hendryx reels in my collection that I really enjoy,(some brass "s" handled reels and "s" handled hard rubber reels. etc)
Steve K

Let me know what you think.

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:15 pm

Doesn't that Populo box say "Level Winding"?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 6:41 am

Steve,
Geezer's right--the label is marked "Level Winding." I think "Crown," like "Pennell," was another brand owned by the E. K. Tryon Co. in Philly. Some reels are marked "Crown Fishing Tackle Works/Phila." In this case, maybe they adopted the model name "Populo" after Hendryx's registration, if any, lapsed.

If it's any consolation, it will probably be easier to find a Crown reel than a Hendryx to store in the box.

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:56 am

I just looked up that Crown & Fish trademark, and you are correct. That trademark was owned by Edward K. Tryon. It was granted on October 28, 1924, so that might help date the reel.

Steve K · Post by **Steve K** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:22 pm

Thanks to all for the insights into this box. I will now be on the hunt for a reel to fill it.
Interesting how some companies potentially latch on to anothers name in efforts to generate sales.

Steve K.

Populo Reel

Populo Reel

Populo Reel

Crown Trademark