`05 Roster issue 'Reel News' item

reels4me,member · Guest

Out of curiousity, mainly the boxed item on page 7 lower right mentions
reel maker 'American-Swiss Magneto Co. Toledo, Ohio' as being purchased by Winchester in 1926. Anyone know of reel by same !!!
News to me.

dchampion(me again) · Guest

The only reel they made that I'm aware of is a non-level winding casting reel named the FERNWOOD. Not to be confused with the Fernwood made by Montague. The American Swiss Fernwood has their name on it. Not a bad reel.

Dale Noll · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:34 am Post subject:

I have found a Fernwood reel marked in script as such on the Headplate, but other markings do not agree with this being made by either American-Swiss or Montague.

It is a beautiful nickel plated reel. The foot is stamped 60. The foot clip is screwed on the two cross pillars. The tail plate rim knurls and shape of clicker and drag are the same as a Winchester made HI reels, but there is no underline of the yardage marker.

The pillar diameters match the TE Wilson (Winchester marked) Powell, and the headplate knurling is also identical to the Powell. The Oil Caps of the Fernwood are also identical and match threads to the Powell.

With these similarities, it seems that this Fernwood is of Winchester-HI vintage, and neither Montague nor American-Swiss Magneto Co. mfg. Another option, maybe Winchester made the Fernwood for American-Swiss.

Are there any other Fernwoods out there?

Dale.
_________________
Jeweled Pennell, Coxe, SB

SWIM JIG · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:12 am Post subject: YUP! I all gots one!

USA Ok, I have one, on the top of the front cover in a OVAL ( top of oval America SWISS across the ocal half way down large block letters FERNWOOD under that in the botom part of the circle is (Toledo Ohio) dead center in the foot is 60 stamped very hard in.reel is aporox. 2&1/4 inches across , and 2in bottom to top, the spool is 2&3/4 in across, reel has a total of 5 pillers 2 ofwhich the foot is fastened. has a click and a slide drag on the tail, handle is counterbal, (note thats on my reel) the head cover is resonably embelised has rope like knurling either side of the rise on the circular head cover!No leval wind foot is 2&1/2 in end to end. I was told the compay had a shop on Front Street in East Toledo , however moved over to Summit street around 1944 as the company done some war production! Again this imfo could be totaly wrong on their shop sites, ( next time I am in Toledo I will check aolder city directory! I add that the reel is well plated most likly pre war 11 , Your ohio conection on lake Erie Col. M. lorens aka SWIM JIG ezaction@bright.net
_________________
Have a HAPPY REEL DAY !

Dale Noll · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 3:44 am Post subject:

Milt: Check your email. I sent you photos from eBay item 3604299401 where I got this Fernwood several yr ago from capt.john site. The foot size and heavy imprint 60 are the same as you described. Does the knurling match your reel?

Let me know if similar to yours except for Headplate markings. Maybe Winchester made reels for American-Swiss. I am quite sure that this Fernwood was made by Winchester or from Winchester parts.

Dale.
_________________
Jeweled Pennell, Coxe, SB

dchampion (me again) · Guest

Milt, Your reel is the American Swiss Fernwood I mentoned above. I don't know what Dale's is. Could you post some photos Dale? I would like to see this. Cool

SWIM JIG · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:40 am Post subject: HMMMMM!!!!

USA Ok, Dale your pics came this date, your reel is acording to you 1/8 in shorter than mine, however on the plus side( the rope embelishments are the same handle is the same screw positions are the same the handle nut is different( most likly a trpalcement on mine) Mine also has a screw slot and flats soa wrench can be used! Your Spool inside end curves are different yours ahs a extra step up, My foot does not have screw driver slots yours does, I also saw where Whinchester underlined their product on the foot so as to ifdentify as to warrenty WORK. The tail plate is the same, except your tail plate screws look like the step up used by Shakespere? Again when i get into toledo next trip I will work at finding a older city Directory, I donot recall Winchester arms company owning a opperation in or near Toledo except some sub contract work on gun measuaring tools ie. tolerance gauges! There were othe companies by the name Winchester, the name was sometimes spelled a letter different, and they made packing boxes, no metal parts, I recall they were on Lewis ave north. ( no wonder mu hair is pure white, you guys scare me to death HA HA HA !! and I enjoy the every minute of it! keeps me AWAKE! Your Ohio Conection on Likae ERIE Col. M Lorens aka SWIM JIG ezaction@bright.net
_________________
Have a HAPPY REEL DAY !

Dale Noll · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 10:58 am Post subject:

Milt,

Glad you got photos. Your Fernwood reel seems quite similar. If you have a TE Wilson Powell or one of the reels listed below, check to see if the oil caps fit.

Yesterday, I went into my pile and located a total of nine reels with the same type of Head Plate knurl bands. All these reels also have the same style clicker and drag. These reels are as follows:
Fernwood, St Claire,Winaigo(jeweled),StClaire(large reel),
Royal, Winaigo(old reel odd jeweled), Perrless (with Pennell tm),
TEWilson(Winchester), & TE Wilson (Powell Winchester).

The Peerless reel has a Montague foot design, but the others are all dual pillar foot design, and all are 2-1/2 inch long. All these reels have the same thread for end caps as these are all interchangable.

If American-Swiss Magneto in Toledo ever actually mfg reels, they must have had access to the above reel design. Or maybe they just had someone fabricate. Does it seem possible that a Magneto Co would be making reels? Hm......

Anyway, neice looking reel. Any other Fernwoods Fernwoods out there???

Dale.

ps: Don, I would post photo, but havn't figured out how to modify and downsize yet.

Note: Corrected name of American-Swiss Magneto Co. Aug 31. Dale
_________________
Jeweled Pennell, Coxe, SB

BruceHandley · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:35 am Post subject: Fernwood reel

Good Evening Gentlemen,
I have a reel question, but first I should tell you that I'm new to your board, having migrated over from Clarks board. I should also tell you that I don't know a great deal about reels. I spend most of my time working on old bamboo rods.
The question has to do with a reel marked as follows:
American Swiss
Fernwood
Toledo, Ohio
I've read your other posts and wondered if any new information had come to light?
About the only thing I think I know is that The American Swiss Magneto Co. was located at 6182 Fernwood Drive, Toledo, Ohio in 1921. In a book by Karl T. White he lists the reel as circ. 1910.
My reel is a match to the one described by "swim jig" in his post dated Aug. 25, 2005.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bruce