The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Hi gents,

do you think this is an original Cardinal 44? I wonder about the drag knob. Only knew the fine rim pattern from the 33's. Anyone having seen or handled one of these? I'd like to know if these are really original...
If you search the certain auction site you will find several of similar offers from Japan. But Google picture search reveals that 44's have a different drag knob...

Any ideas?

Hi there, if the reel has 760301 serial number on it and that number is upside down compared to the product of Sweden on the reel foot then its a Japanese copy. These reels were made in 1990 and are nothing to do with being made in Sweden. The first sign is the drag knob numbering and the cheap brittle plastic on the handle knob, then the serial number and how its been stamped upside down confirms it.

Plenty of “ringers” around unfortunately....

A very interesting post!!

Are there any "fake" 33s, 66s & 77s about? Or even Zebco reels as well as ABU?

I know Mitchel or Mitchell, whether fake or not, were made!

I think you’ll find that there are ringers for most items out there, reels, rods, bags, clothing, you name it it’s been copied at some point....

Well we now know how to identify a 44 - but what about the other reels above?

Had a Mitchel copy in the 60s - it didn't last very long though!

Sorry gents, I will better remove the above picture. But by the given description by BeechmereLake we now know what to look for. I hope there is not too many more of them.
Yet another lesson learned. Sad world.

I don’t think there is any need to remove the picture Chris, it could prove to be a good reference point for any other TFFer when knowing what to look for in a ringer....

RBTraditional wrote: ↑Sun Jan 14, 2018 5:54 pm I don’t think there is any need to remove the picture Chris, it could prove to be a good reference point for any other TFFer when knowing what to look for in a ringer....

I know Rob,
I will bring it back up in a couple of days when the ocean is calm again...
if there's any urgent need, drop me a pm gents.

I purchased a cardinal 3 at a bootfair last year which judging by remarks on my previous posting re this reel seems to be perfectly legit. It will be sold in the near future and I would like to know that it is correct...I am sure it is but you never know as in other collecting fields I have seen some very convincing snides.