The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

JonnyP, you have some nice Ambidex reels here.

The top picture looks like a No. 1 type 2 if it says LTD after the J.W. Young & Sons, the handle in the picture is obscuring this, dated around 1947-48 as in late 1947 Young’s became a limited company.

The middle picture looks like a No. 2 type 2 dated again 1947-48.

The bottom picture is a slope back Mark 6 dated 1961, the same reel that SK has. These came in black, blue and gold, the swan neck Mark 6 came in blue.

I see there is a Mark Six listed on eBay at the moment, complete with box, leaflet, and spool, so it looks genuine....and yet it has the later Mitchell type 'roller' bail arm!


Now I thought that was only introduced on the Mark Nine and the swan-necks...or so my collection of Allcocks catalogues intimates.

I'm beginning to realise that the problem with Ambidexes is that, as Moley has said elsewhere, there is probably a huge vareity of minor variations. Some parts are not interchangeable, but those that were, or are, appear to have been interchanged at will, either in the factory or after they were sold. I suspect Youngs were playing catch up with the likes of Mitchell and which drove the many variations we see. The problem was (and is for us) that whilst the reels were well engineered and robust, the production engineering rerquired for efficient mass production was lacking, probably due to the tradition of artisan reel making in the UK.

You could be right there Sean.

I have an ambidex match and the similar one they made for Edgar Sealy. Both good reels but the Young's is better quality internally and externally. i got them to go with a pair of Chapmans hunters I'm having restored, one done and awaiting a new tip for the second, but will be looking for a second ambidex match and the Sealy one can go on my black arrow or octopus

Well now - today as I was buying up some reels from a house clearance I came across an Amidex I have only read about: the original 1944 casting reel in black finish (legend tells that this was beacause Youngs were using up old military paint!). I wasn't sure about it - the reel needs a darn good clean and the plate wasn't readable - but as I cleaned the plate when I got home the magic word "PROV" appeared before the patent number! The reel is going to have a darn good (but gentle!) clean, and if it needs any TLC then Garry will get a call, while I try and decide a fair price for it - I've never seen one come up before (though my memory is poor) so I'm a little in the dark.

Picture will follow when clean.
Jim

The VFC wrote:Well now - today as I was buying up some reels from a house clearance I came across an Amidex I have only read about: the original 1944 casting reel in black finish (legend tells that this was beacause Youngs were using up old military paint!). I wasn't sure about it - the reel needs a darn good clean and the plate wasn't readable - but as I cleaned the plate when I got home the magic word "PROV" appeared before the patent number! The reel is going to have a darn good (but gentle!) clean, and if it needs any TLC then Garry will get a call, while I try and decide a fair price for it - I've never seen one come up before (though my memory is poor) so I'm a little in the dark.

Picture will follow when clean.
Jim

Wow :o
Can't wait to see it. :thumb:

Not the prettiest reel I've seen to be honest Snapester - but a little piece of history!

Getting more excited by the minute: its a Type 1! Now if I can get the cover off and it has the hand made parts engraved "1" then I'll probably pass out.

Mmmmm! No numbers inside at all - not what I expected! I've left a message for Elwyn Attwood and hope he'll give me a call back to lend me his professional opinion.