The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

While doing some research on my recently acquired ABU Cardinal 6X I came across the following:

which interestingly has the same serial number as mine:

From what I've read this means that both reels were manufactured in September 1980. So, theoretically, this suggests that a large number of ABU reels could have the same serial number depending on how many were manufactured in that particular month.
I thought that the purpose of a serial number was to uniquely identify an item but I guess that ABU didn't see it this way.

Coral Maestro wrote: ↑Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:31 am While doing some research on my recently acquired ABU Cardinal 6X I came across the following:

which interestingly has the same serial number as mine:

From what I've read this means that both reels were manufactured in September 1980. So, theoretically, this suggests that a large number of ABU reels could have the same serial number depending on how many were manufactured in that particular month.
I thought that the purpose of a serial number was to uniquely identify an item but I guess that ABU didn't see it this way.

All reels made on a certain day in a certain month would of all been stamped with the same serial number and it would not of been the same model reel either, serial numbers were used to show months of production and also showed when reels had a revision made to it.
So in answer to your question, unlike a Mitchell reel, there were huge quantities of reels and models all with the same serial number stamped on them and with lets say 4 lines running doing Cardinal 54, 55 and 57 models they would all be stamped with the same serial number, the 52 could also of been run but it was only made for one year so anywhere between 10 and 12 months, the middle two digits would of been changed every month not every day, you just have to remember the serial number was put on the reel for quality control not collectors

Thanks for that! The ABU system is actually more useful than the Mitchell system as you can date a reel without looking up the S/N vs date listing.
Best wishes for the festive season BL!

Coral Maestro wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 10:41 am Thanks for that! The ABU system is actually more useful than the Mitchell system as you can date a reel without looking up the S/N vs date listing.
Best wishes for the festive season BL!

Thanks for the best wishes and glad you found my listing that was on Ebay all those years ago