Reel Models   

Spinning REELS

 

Model name            ABU 444/444A and eventually ABU 333

Maker/designer        Karl Nurmse, patent and bio details here

Production dates       1955 to 1979

Features                    Chosen because it is the first truly ABU designed fixed spool reel, as all to date had Swiss, Italian or German designers/origins. The ABU 444 and 444A  lasted for almost 25 years in production if one considered the more economically produced 333 as a variant also.

A true lasting ABU icon. the Superb Cardinals came next, followed by the unforgetable Suveran marque and the Soron series. It is doubtful that these heights will ever be reached again, considering the amalgamation of companies that now constitute the umbrella company of Pure Fishing.

The high quality but relatively inexpensive ABU 444 was the only ABU reel advertized by Garcia whilst the Mitchell reels received prominence in their catalogs. I will display the first 444 and maybe later the other 5 related models in my collection,  ranging from earliest to latest issues. From the beginning, the push button spool release, the offset drag adjustment and the anti-reverse lever were to be long lasting desirable feature, copied by many manufacturers.

Sweden's tournament casters annointed this 444, and special "weddding cake" tournament spools were created. My friend Woffe in Germany has several of these models. Not so lucky myself! Many variations exist and Daniel Skupien documents these in his book "Vintage Fishing Reels of Sweden" mentioned before.

Images

Catalogs, manuals, magazines, books

Europe USA Africa Australia, the ABU 444 was fished widely.

Fishing (with a 444) was meant to be fun!

 

Please be patient and enjoy as they appear and do contribute!

 

If you have any others not listed above, that are unneeded  or doubles in your collection and are available for a reasonable fee, I would be very pleased to hear from you.