Grubby Snapham

[Tony]

Good evening good people. I have acquired a Snapham as shown in the photos. It spins like dream, however I would like to give it a little tlc and smarten up its appearance, without giving it a polished look. I would much appreciate some advice on how this can be achieved if possible. Also it would be nice to put a date against this model.
Thx in advance....

[Harry H]

It was made by Young's probably 1930s would have been black originally.

[Nobby]

Yes, they were leaded originally...probably poisoned a few anglers in its time....:-) Modarcom was the telegram name for Modern Arms if you weren't aware. The 4 and a 1/4 model was made up until 1939 apparently.

[Tony]

Many thanks for replies. The reel measures 3 3/4 inches and it does not have spokes like some of the models I have seen on this site. Would this have any significance?

[Vole]

I believe I can see the groove, just inside the arbour, where the points of the spokes would have been located, so I'd get a dental mirror and check the hub for spoke-holes.
I have no idea whether they were just centreing aids or structural members, though.

[Tony]

Yes there are holes for said spokes in the hub on closer inspection. However no sign of the opposing holes or repairs where they may have been.. very odd

[Tony]

See pic...

[Nobby]

I fear they have been removed!

[Tony]

I suspect you could be right, however there are definitely no corresponding holes or remnants of in the hub. Do you think this could be a rogue reel? Any clues what adverse effect this would have ?

[Silfield]

Comimg from someone who would have to confess to knowing nothing about these reels, could it be a possibility that a replacement arbour was needed due to damage so was sourced from a dealer or manufactured by a skilled machinist with the remaining parts being transferred over to the 'new' arbour?