Penn 4/0 Reel Question

[JoeR]

I picked up a reel that was said to be a Penn 4/0 via eBay. I saw in the pictures that there was no mention of the word Penn on the reel only a small round label that says Gamefish 150D. I looked at a web site that has a lot of Penn info on it and there was no mention of a Gamefish 150D so I told the seller that, he took it off eBay. I got to emailing him and he was simply reselling something he got elsewhere, a deal was struck and I took it, looked very clean. I got it today, it came in a very old tattered Penn Senator " Game Fish Reel" box. Also says 4/0 No. 113 cap 300 yds, price $20.00 !! My question to the group is what the heck kind of reel is it, only the one small label saying Gamefish 150D , here's the kicker, on the underside of the foot it says made in Japan 7210. On a Garcia I think that would mean it was made in Oct 1972. I didn't think any old Penn Reels very made there so if anyone has a clue to my mystery please let me know. It's a nice unit, very clean, seems to be functional, no pitting etc and I didn't pay a lot for it. I am pretty sure it's not a Penn but wonder who made it??
Thanks
Joe

[Grilled Sardine]

I picked up a reel that was said to be a Penn 4/0 via eBay. I saw in the pictures that there was no mention of the word Penn on the reel only a small round label that says Gamefish 150D. I looked at a web site that has a lot of Penn info on it and there was no mention of a Gamefish 150D so I told the seller that, he took it off eBay. I got to emailing him and he was simply reselling something he got elsewhere, a deal was struck and I took it, looked very clean. I got it today, it came in a very old tattered Penn Senator " Game Fish Reel" box. Also says 4/0 No. 113 cap 300 yds, price $20.00 !! My question to the group is what the heck kind of reel is it, only the one small label saying Gamefish 150D , here's the kicker, on the underside of the foot it says made in Japan 7210. On a Garcia I think that would mean it was made in Oct 1972. I didn't think any old Penn Reels very made there so if anyone has a clue to my mystery please let me know. It's a nice unit, very clean, seems to be functional, no pitting etc and I didn't pay a lot for it. I am pretty sure it's not a Penn but wonder who made it??
Thanks
Joe


Looks like its a cheap no name-brand, Penn knockoff.

[Grilled Sardine]

can you post a picture of the reel?

[sprtsracer]

Definitely not a Penn and there were no Penn reels ever made in Japan. There were some knock-off Japanese reels made in the early days, and some were actually pretty good reels. The "Olympic" reels come to mind right off the bat. They are readily recognizable by their blue sideplates/handle knob. Keep in mind that Japan, back then, was where China is today. Also keep in mind that Daiwas and Shimanos made in Japan today are highly favored over those same brands made in China/Malaysia, etc. A lot of the engineering of the Japanese reels was close to the Penns as well. Sometimes, the drags could also be interchanged. Since you got a good deal on it, use it to your hearts content. I'd just check the drag to make sure that functions well.

[JoeR]

I knew the reel was not a Penn going into the deal, it was so clean like never been used is why I took the chance, it seems fine, the drag could be better but I have no Penn to compare it to, maybe that's the way those old reels were.
I was going to add a picture but it doesn't seem to let me, it wants a URL and I don't have one to give it, oh well no prob.
Thanks
Joe

[AL SEARS]

Penn did use the name Gamefisher but this was used with International Reels, Penn did make a Reel #150 &150M called Penn Surfmaster, holds about 150/200 yds 30lb test gear ratio 3.1 it may have a Thumb screw for quick take apart,had a small football like handle knob, I can check and see when 150 was made,appears box is also phony , some boxes are worth more than reel . Sad that many Penn reels are being made in China now as Penn sold out and only a skelton crew at old plant in Philly

Just did a search on the Penn 150 series and they was discontinued in 80s, Ocean City made a reel close to the 4/0 as well as Coxe (sort of Rare)