Johnson Spin-cast Chronology Input from Another Source: ZEBCO or Johnson?

Posts from Another Popular Outdoor Information

This is a post to an interesting  link that has an dialog  pertinent to this blog as well. I am including two links to different posts at this source site.  The first link expresses much the same preference for Jonson spin_cast reels over ZEBCO spin_cast reels. The writer also raises questions as to which of these two companies actually invented the spin-cast reel. The dialog that follows is interesting as well. Regarding this question, it is my take that both companies have some claim to inventing the spin-cast reel--AND that neither invented their versions of the spin-cast reel in a vacuum. There were several other commerically unsuccessful attempts that resembled each of these successful patents by ZEBCO and Johnson.

But it is clear to me that the spin-cast reel as we know it came to be with the introduction of the  Johnson Century 100 in 1955. Many people still consi/der the Johnson Century 100, and subsequent 100A and 100B to be the best reels ever made. ZEBCO proponents might argue that point. There are plenty vintage examples of both company's reels prior to the Century 100 and after that are still working.

One comment from the dialog that I am particularly interested in is about the Johnson 170 Reel. I was not aware there was such a model. I am excited to learn more about it, as I have found no other references to it.

The second link was a response to my request at the other outdoor information site for a gentleman to post his recollection of the timeline of some of the vintage spin-cast reels built by Johnson. He once worked at the Johnson reel plant during the time some of the vintage reels were being produced. I have excerpted a portion of his answer here for easy reference. It is found below.

http://www.fishingtalks.com/johnson-or-zebco-886.html

I will allow this site to speak for itself, although I have corresponded with some of the participants and commenters and they have also commented here on this site. I cannot vouch for any of the information found at other sites, but it is interesting to follow--and I appreciate any serious discussion that arises aimed at nai/ling down accurate information about the hi/story of spin-cast reels.

http://www.fishingtalks.com/50-year-old-new-johnson-reels-for-sale.-355499/Page2.html#37986

The Following is MY Request:

Glen, I wonder if you know and would take the time to list the chronology as you know it of the different models of Johnson reels. I have been mystified at times when I thought I had a good idea of the years of production for different reel models they produced, only to discover that I was way off base. I realize that some models overlapped in production and others may have been differentiated by a secondary designation of either no letter or A or B and what-not.
Some were apparently reintroduced after they had gone out of production for a while. Then there were the models made for other companies under different labels. Johnson reels were not always sequential with their numbers either. Like what is up with the 710? Where did this number come from. It was not sequential. It was not derived from the year 1971. It has no relation to the gear ratio that I can see. What? LOL. I have tired without success to post a link to this blog specifically about vintage spin-cast reels. Someone told me that if I spell it out instead of formatting it like a link that it might be allowed, so here it is if anyone wants to wade through copying and reformatting it into link form. We would sure like to have some comments about these and other questions asked about these old reels at this site. Thanks for all of your comments here. You have some valuable historic information. notesandnods DOT typepad DOT com FORWARDSLASH the UNDERSCORE golden UNDERSCORE age of UNDERSCORE spinca FORWARDSLASH

This is the Response:

Good Morning--I have been thinking about your post over the week-end. I really don't have the years of production for the various Johnson reels but I do know the sequence went from the reel name (century, citation, etc.) to the name plus a letter. Ex., the first Century was a 100, next came the 100A and then the 100B. The same with the Citation, 110, 110a, 110B. The Centenial reel was called the 120 (green cover), then the 120A (red cover). Next came the Gull, a Centennial with a gray cover (no longer in production). The Laker was just called the 140. The 710 was later changed to the 710A. No clue as to why it was called 710. The next 710 was called a Commander. It was all black with a backcover designed not to kink the line as the pushbutton was depressed. The Sabra was at first just a 130, then became a 130A and 130B. I believe there were two sidewinder reels made, the 44 and 90. They made two plastic reels, the 088, then the 097 and lastly the 98. The Princess, made in the mid 1950's, was pink. It was just a century that was made to appeal to women--never caught on.

They also made reels for Montgomeery Wards (Century, Sabra and Laker). These were a bronze color, very rare to find one in mint condition today. If you want I have some pictures of them--you have probably already seen these reels though. If you do want pictures of any of these reels just let me know. I also have a couple of pictures of the original factory in Mankato Minnesota and some miscellaneous Johnson items like travel packs, Johnson jacket, first aid kit, etc. Just let me know.

Sorry I don't know more about the sequence!

The Following is a Comment from another Person at the site:

factory replacement parts catalog show the sidewinder reel make in 7 or 8 models---10a-20-22-40-40a-44-60-80
they show a skipper as model 125, guide series in 150a 155 160 and 165, fiskar in 511 and 512------------------ if you go into category [sporting goods] on ebay and type in [johnson reel ads] lot of stuff will come up---------------------------------------------------- they must have been in a rush to get the princess on the market i see century marked side plates painted pink and the princess name stamped on the cover. some of the old ads call the model 80 a new reel in 1954 and the 120 new in 1958

And Finally my Own Response Back to them:

Thank you so much--both Glen and Gene--for your information. It helps, although I am hoping that our discussion, along with my own additional inquiries at various places, including Mankata, MN web sites, will stir up and uncover some of those who may have been directly involved in the design and production of these reels who can shed additional light on this subject too. Any pictures that you get a chance to post here as well as on my spin-cast blog comments would be appreciated not only by me, but everyone who has a historic interest in these vintage reels. This is an important part of modern spin-cast reel history. It is too recent to be lost. Regards, PapaD

Please note that I have made requests to a number of sources seeking additional historic informaion regarding Johnsons reel tht I hope will lead to further accurate information. I will make such information available as I receive it. Meanwhile, I have a number of reels from Johnson and others that I have reviewed and will be posting pictures and inforai/on about.

 

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