Milwards Swimmaster Closed Face

[Isis]

For the closed face fans an advert from AT back in 1963

[CWK]

Very interesting . Never had the pleasure of seeing one .

By their scarcity I can only presume that Millwards found it very difficult to compete with the iconic Abu 501's , 506's and 507's .

[Isis]

I had a friend who bought one but he didn't use it for long. I've never seen one since then.
The ABUs were much better made.

[Nobby]

American made...or possibly Japanes :chuckle: ...they appear on eBay every month or so.

[Greentura]

I have one in my collection of odd and sods but I have not used it yet as I got it for when I have a swimversa, which I now have and am in the process of restoring. At first glance it's not a patch on a 506 as the spool does not move and line lay is going to be an issue but it looks the part so I'll give it a try. There is another reel like it but with a centrepin type side disk and handles so that it can be 'batted' to retrieve line but as for if it can be used for controlling the line on a trott I have no idea but will let you know if I win it

[Nobby]

I saw that one Andy.......can't see it trotting, but it'll retrieve like a demon!
Good Luck

[Greentura]

It another one of those 'I fancy a try of it reels' like the big trudex or the DAM Robo. We'll see when, and if, it comes and I'll post a report

[SeanM]

I've got one in nice condition, but I think the advert has stretched the truth a little. The line release lever on the bottom of the spool looks suspiciously like it was designed to be used t'other way up as per similar American baitcasting reels. If Milwards had come up with a cowl similar to the Abu 506 etc it would have worked well as a trotting reel. Close, but no cigar!

By the way Greentura mine works in exactly the same way as a 506.

[Greentura]

Well didn't win that Eric Williams centre caster, not by much, £1.01 to be exact. There'll be another one or someone will let me have a go of theirs one day