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Half Encapsulated Reels

 

View of my Display Case Collection.

A list of Reel Models

 

                

        My collection of Classic ABU 500 series reels.

        Recent update: Click here to read Renzo from Italy observation on various 501 differences

The universally accepted primary dedicated reference to all things ABU Half-encapsulated

by

   James Partridge and Martin Stone from the UK.

I am honoured to have this personal copy in my collection to learn from!

Do buy your copy to know all on all versions of the ABU 505

Do not miss their upcoming ABU 500 series book

Marco Malavasi's book "Reelstown Guide to ABU Spinning Reels of Sweden"  and website is also a very worthy wider reaching tome of which the 500 series are a small part.

ABU's Tight Lines 1983 offered this "Route 500" article which furnished good historical information about all the half encapsulated 500 series of reels.

Tight Lines 1984 saw the demise of the popular match winning series of metal 500 reels. ABU placed confidence in the new plastic models and lauded the new Diplomat  601/601M ad 602 series.

  An un-sourced writer (known only as Stefan, whom I would like to fully acknowledge) has also written a very good and informative short 3 page article here . Page 1, 2, 3    

The ABU 500 half encapsulated series burst onto the angling scene in 1961 and held sway for 21 years.

Not so popular in my part of Northern Tropical  Australia, as Europe (particularly  for UK match fishos) and USA, they are still a strong, reliable, multi-featured and innovative reel.

I own a right hander and consequently my ABU 508 (rather than the normal identical size LHW  ABU507) will always have a place in my tackle box for fresh water fishing.

This gives ABU's  introduction from their Tight Lines Catalog of 1977  (Part 1, Part 2)

 

Beautiful images courtesy of James and Martin cited above.

 

I have all nine models only which I can't fish with even if I permitted myself the luxury of using near mint reels from so long ago. They are left hand wind and most Aussies wind with their right hands. My above mentioned 508 fits the bill.

Full kit of the right hand wind 508

 

Note the upside down badge!

In general , the popularity of the series was largely due to the initial design features such as having a fixed spool reel without the usual bailarm structure. Instead, an enclosing drum made from stainless steel covered the hidden spool and it drove a pin(s) to safely guide the retrieval of  line. Anglers loved the one finger operation (merely touch the rubber ring  in front of the reel) which ensued making it a very easy reel to cast and retrieve. This coupled with a wonderful drag system made it a winner. More features would evolve over time.

First Garcia 505 from 1963

Model 1 and last 1975 model  of the Swedish ABU  505

 The Match fisherman's most famous and popular 506

 

Packaging for the 500 series  interests me which I hope to add to my collection before too long. Please contact me if you have a spare red display box or a green one. I have the blue 501 boxed.

The true fan of ABU 500 series will drool at this rarely seen item. It was won as part of a competition, promoted by Nabisco  in USA

 

 

 

My reels include  a 500 series 501, 503/520 (USA) , 505, 506, 506M, 507, and 508 as well as  a newer plastic  and to my mind not so desirable 601M and 602 Diplomat.

I will specifically detail my boxed  ABU 501 below when time permits.

Images ( 1 and 2) ) here of 505 from Tight Lines also.

The manual of the 506 is here A B C D E F G H

Loan reels for the 500 series was introduced in UK


The first Service reel to come to my display was from Rod Cameron of South Australia



It certainly enhances my collection of 10 bare reels and boxed 501, 505, 506 and right hand version 508 models.



More Service reels

This was facility was  the standard of service available in UK when one's reel was in for service. The picture below shows the engraved cowl of the 500 series reel "loaned " to the you. thanks to Les Shaw for images of his service reel cowls. More recently Martin Stone has shared his images here also.His friend who send him these images to share is Richard Burfield from the USA. Thanks to both ABU fans!

 

 

 

Thanks again Martin and Richard in USA for these unique beautiful images of loan reels.

 

Some UK advertizing of the 60/70's

  &nbs 

 

At last I have a Green box ABU 506

 

My friend Julian from Germany writes,

Hi Wayne,  rong>

 Pictures of the ABU 505 Cutaway, in Germany only known of 2 x exists of ABU 505 Cutaway (See pic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)  and 1 x ABU 506 Cutaway, in other Countries i don't know about one to exists, maybe in Sweden some Reels, Regards Julian. 

 Lets hope more keen ABU anglers  decide to share  more  knowledge here.

If you have  any 500 series red or green box mentioned above or a Service reel , that are unneeded  or doubles in your collection and are available for a reasonable fee, I would be very pleased to hear from you.

 

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