Spinning/Haspelrullen
Spinning is carried out with rods and underslung reels.
I
intend to collect quite a few examples of this spinning style of ABU
fishing reel and will eventually get around to photographing and
documenting and learning more about the range.
ABU outsourced and produced their own products from the early 50's
and covered a great range of sizes that would to target small fish like trout up to large sea fish like
Salmon in Europe.
They ranged from the Record 222, 225, 500, 600, 700, 888, 999 ,
1000, to the Cardinal 33 , to the innovative Cardinal
52/54/55/57 series, through to the Cardinal 66/77 and X series ,
to the Suveran and high speed models
like the Cardinal 807i and the SORON ST 70 of 2009.
My ABU collecting friend Woffe from Germany, has kindly shared
these beautiful photos of rare ABU spinning reels, including cutaway
demonstration 444 and some tournament casters.
tiny.jpg)
I have also recently
learned about the
Zebco Connection with
ABU and now due to Clinton Beeler's interest and generosity, have
quite an understanding and appreciation of these ABU badge
engineered models sold in USA. This arrangement really spearheaded
ABU into USA spinning reel market, following on the successful
Ambassadeur models.
 |
They were
identical in every respect except for some reel colours,
adhesive stickers, metal badges, packaging and a few names
changes in the manuals. |
Beautiful black and white studies
from Zebco are to be found here:
Zebco6/7,
Zebco 6X,
Zebco 7X,
557,
555,
554, related
Zebco/ABU 178 Fly reel
 Cardinal
reels,
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
were for a long period the ultimate spinning reel in the ABU
stable. Their rugged construction and worm gear drive
ensured their long popularity. They were replaced in the
90's with what was to be called the Morrom Spinning reel
(see prototype box which never reached market!) but
eventually become known as the Suveran. I have heard mixed
reports and would appreciate contributions as to its fishing
performance and acceptance in the marketplace. |
 |
Other
specific models that are in this fine stable of reels are
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8
My first was a
Cardinal Series Model 57.
The only problem experienced was the "exploding" of a spool due
largely to my storing it in a hot garden shed with a tightly loaded
spool of monofilament, which expanded with consequent shattering.
Thanks Uffe for replacement spool.
The
complete manual for the Cardinal 54,55,57 reels
is here.
1,
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
The
Cardinal 55 was made as a Saleman's model also to show the inner
working of the reel.
I have since collected many
more (to date 35) including a
Record 700,
pictured here as well as a Record 444 and an ABU 333, ABU Record
444, Cardinal 40, 60, 70 and a Cardinal 44, 77 from friends in
Europe. I am
told the basic helical /worn gear design is brilliant and never
wears out providing normal care is taken with its servicing.
Alan
Hawk draws a long bow and state uneqivocally in his
review that the
Suveran design by ABU in the early 90's was the peak
of ABU design and in his mind the best spinning reel ever designed
bar none. More recently, his later
review of the
Soron series has tried
to reach these same lofty heights at at much reduced cost to the
consumer. Clever engineering offshore in Asia. Look forward soon
to his review of the Classic Cardinal 7 in the USA Zebco guise.
Manual pages
from various Record ABU 1958 Spinning reels
are
found below, courtesy of Jonas Eliasson of Sweden
jonas.eliasson@osten.ac.se
Thanks in no particular order,
Morgan, Peter, Uffe and Marco, Ben and Clinton.
One particular spinning reel
that I have enjoyed adding to my collection is the
ABU Cardinal 33 CDL
If
you have any others listed below, that are unneeded or doubles
in your collection and are available for a reasonable fee, I would
be very pleased to hear from you.
Early
Record 450, 500, 888, Cardinal 3 or 3X, 4 , 6X
or Any tan Cardinal or model Suverian 1000, 2000 or 3000 are wanted.