PENN500A
- Thread starter bravo
- Start date
christosch
Senior Member
christosch
Senior Member
Thank for the reply, that is what I thought but every time I think I have the answers about Penn, something comes out of the closet to bite me.
I suspect that even the 49A was only marked on the reel for the very early models. Understandably so I would think, why would Penn go through the expense of making special mold plugs. All that would do is increase the Penn in house expense for the product without any difference in product quality. By not identifying parts with a destination mark, they can be taken right off the shelf, no special category would be needed.
So I will assume that Jigmasters were identified as African imports on the box label only.
Thanks Again
I have been writing a series of articles about vintage Penn reels for the Reel News, an ORCA (Old Reels Collector Association) publication for the last couple of years and I wanted to gather info about Penn imports to South Africa. What I find interesting is that if you travel the world, you will find Penn reels everywhere but, so far, I find them specifically identified with a destination only for the South African imports.
I suspect that even the 49A was only marked on the reel for the very early models. Understandably so I would think, why would Penn go through the expense of making special mold plugs. All that would do is increase the Penn in house expense for the product without any difference in product quality. By not identifying parts with a destination mark, they can be taken right off the shelf, no special category would be needed.
So I will assume that Jigmasters were identified as African imports on the box label only.
Thanks Again
I have been writing a series of articles about vintage Penn reels for the Reel News, an ORCA (Old Reels Collector Association) publication for the last couple of years and I wanted to gather info about Penn imports to South Africa. What I find interesting is that if you travel the world, you will find Penn reels everywhere but, so far, I find them specifically identified with a destination only for the South African imports.
The history of Penn reels and also the ABU reels I find extremely interesting.
Like you said the more you look. The more different models/info become available.
I have today also checked some of the many Penn 500 Jig masters I have and none of them have any "A" on the side plates.
I also checked the Penn history list of reels I got from Penn last year (send you a copy) and even there it only appear as 500 with 2 x plastic spools and 500M, when they still had the metal spool model.
As a matter of interest. I checked a couple of my old 49A reels, after we last spoke and found one with the side plate marked with the 49A. Just proof. That most of the time. We see but don't really take notice, of such a small difference?
Like you said the more you look. The more different models/info become available.
I have today also checked some of the many Penn 500 Jig masters I have and none of them have any "A" on the side plates.
I also checked the Penn history list of reels I got from Penn last year (send you a copy) and even there it only appear as 500 with 2 x plastic spools and 500M, when they still had the metal spool model.
As a matter of interest. I checked a couple of my old 49A reels, after we last spoke and found one with the side plate marked with the 49A. Just proof. That most of the time. We see but don't really take notice, of such a small difference?