Got this reel from Ebay as part of a package deal. Only ID on it is on the bottom of the reel seat where it says “Made in USA”. Diameter is about 3 inches. Reel can be fished either right or left handed and has a clicker that works good. Frame & spool are metal.
Looks like something for a kid or an entry item. Think I will stick a 3 wt line on it and use it on the gills this summer.
Thanks, Tim
Not 100% what it is but it looks like some sort of Pflueger, possibly a contract piece, such as Pflueger may have made for Orvis or LL Bean back when. There’s a guy in our area I could put you in touch with that is the last word on all fly fishing collecting and I’d bet he would know from the pic and description. He’s been at collecting and identifying for about 25 or 30 years now. Let me know and I’ll pm you his email.
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Looks like it might be an old knock off of a Pflueger Progress from the 20’s.
Hello Tim,
I found a picture of a reel that very closely resembles your reel. It is called a Winchester Armax, circa 1925.
The finish in the picture is different than yours, as is the knob, but the foot attachment, frame and spool perforations look identical.
The picture is in “Antique Fly Reels: A History & Value Guide”, by D B Homel.
Reference page 39.
At least this is something to go on.
Most skeleton fly reels like this one were not children models. This Armax is not a large reel. The multiple openings contributed to a light weight reel that also allowed for better drying of silk lines.
Cheers,
Richard in Plano TX
I posted one on here , oh lets see about 3 1/2 years ago, very similar to find out the ID on it, the closet I came to mine was around 1940… Mine was a mass production reel found at hardware stores I think, any way heres a link to a pic of it, if it works…
<a href=“http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v326/wtgrubbs04/?action=view¤t=Picture047.jpg” target=“_blank”><img src=“http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/wtgrubbs04/Picture047.jpg” border=“0” alt=“Photobucket”></a>
ok the link didn’t work sorry, but I do still have the reel, got it for $5.00 at a yard sale…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/wtgrubbs04/Picture047.jpg
ha got it…lol
Your reel is a Japanese mass produced reel made for a number of sources probably in the 50’s or 60’s. Common market name was J.C. Higgins Model #319 31360. I have one I picked up for $5 in an antique store.
Bob
I was going to say a reel by “Martin” if its made in the USA. But just a guess.
Odd, I just noticed you said it was made in U.S.A. Here is an identical ( as near as I can see) reel made for Sears in Japan. These are so close they must have used the same stamping dies. Another mystery!
Bob
Bob: That is a much better picture than I was able to get with my scanner. Thanks very much. From comparing your picture with my reel the resemblence is quite remarkable. I think there are these differences.
The pins holding the reel seat to the frame appear to be narrower on my reel.
The pin holding the handle is crome on mine and it looks black on yours.
The center pin on my reel is a screw while yours is ?? I would guess that the screw on my reel is a replacement for a lost part - UNLESS - your reel unscrews from the other side of reel.
The writing on the bottom of the reel seat.
I have requested Montana Moose send me the address of his contact and I will get ahold of him and see what happens.
Thanks to all of you for your interest and I will get back to you when I receive a reply.
Tim
PM
There are some minor differences in the assembled parts but the stampings are virtually identical. This would suggest they came from the same dies. I wonder if the reel you have wasn’t made over here initially and the dies later sent to Japan to manufacture parts for Sears. We may be looking at the first instance of American job loss to an overseas manufacturer orchestrated by an American Company. Wow, what fun!
Godspeed and good fishing,
Bob
I have three reels nearly identical to yours, Tim. All are quite old. I use one to hold the string for my plumb bob. My bob is also quite old, and the fly reel is very well suited for that use. I have two others, one painted brown originally, and one black. all three are stamped 'made in USA" I had another just like them made in Japan, but traded it off for something else last year. I agree with Bobinmich, I think they were first made here, then the dies sent overseas to take advantage of cheaper labor…ModocDan
Interesting to trace the history of such an item.
