Australian Collectable Revolving Drum Multiplying Casting Vintage Fishing Reels Historical Information.
A comprehensive factual information reference guide, reeLpedia ® by Bernie Ladd, 2/10/2021. This segment describes the vintage revolving drum multiplying fishing reel model brands made in Australia. The reels described are: Castmaster; Cast Way; Erskin; Forresta; Hollow Spool; Kalua; Graeme; Mec; Miles, Offshore; Ocean King; Quick spool; Trukast; Walpar.
CASTMASTER CASTING REEL Anti-Backlash Braked Drum. (C 1)








CASTMASTER revolving drum multiplier. A product of Halcyon products Pty. Ltd, Sydney and Newcastle - c. 1950.
Black anodised body. Knurled cap screw adjustable wire - line drum (spool) anti-backlash brake; lever operated free spool; optional check; black erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass counterweight crank. Body width 2 3/8’’ ; Back plate diameter 2 15/16’’; aluminium drum (spool) width 1 3/4’’ ; 1/4’’ pillars black anodised; manganese bronze spindle bearings; knurled nickel plated brass spindle end float adjustment cap; 3/8 cap nut crank retaining nut; 3 knurled nickel plated brass closed ends thumb nut, for quick take apart; bronze main helical gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ratio 2 : 1; CAST MASTER PAT. APP. stamped on front end plate. Weight: 350 gr. Very rare in complete near mint working order with original box, calico (cotton) draw string reel storage bag and specification user guide pamphlet.
CASTMASTER CASTING REEL. (C 2)







CASTMASTER revolving drum multiplier. A product of Halcyon products Pty. Ltd, Sydney and Newcastle - c. 1950.
Black anodised body. Lever operated free spool; optional check; black erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass counterweight crank. Body width 2 3/8’’ ; Back plate diameter 2 15/16’’; black anodised drum (spool) width 1 3/4’’ ; 1/4’’ pillars black anodised; manganese bronze spindle bearings; knurled nickel plated brass spindle end float adjustment cap; 3/8 cap nut crank retaining nut; 3 knurled nickel plated brass closed ends thumb nut, for quick take apart; bronze main helical gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ratio 2 : 1; CAST MASTER PAT. APP. stamped on front end plate. Weight: 324 gr. Scarce in complete near mint working order with original box .
CAST - WAY MINOR (narrow drum) Light Game Reel (C 3)








CAST-WAY MINOR revolving drum multiplying Light Game reel.
Nickle plated brass pillar supported saddle (reel seat); bakelite end plates diameter 4''; bakelite drum (spool) spindle supported by 2 sealed ball bearings, width of bakelite drum 1 7/8 " ; counterbalanced crank handle ; burgundy erinoid bulbous handle; star drag wheel clutches; crank handle spindle end play adjusted by two knurled nuts; three quick take-apart screws ; knock-on lever operated free spool; wire anti-backlash attachment and dial-adjust anti-backlash brake; main gear and pinion gear of Manganese Bronze; optional check; gear ratio 2 1/2 : 1 . Weight 836 grams. CAST - WAY logo and REG DSN APP. FOR molded in crank sideplate -c. 1950. Extremely rare with box and user guide sheet.
CAST - WAY MAJOR (wide drum) Light Game Reel (C 4)




CAST-WAY MAJOR revolving drum multiplying Light Game reel.
Nickle plated brass saddle (reel seat); bakelite end plates diameter 4''; bakelite drum (spool) spindle supported by 2 sealed ball bearings, width of bakelite drum 2 3/4" ; counterbalanced crank handle; burgundy erinoid bulbous handle; star drag wheel clutches; crank handle spindle end play adjusted by two knurled nuts; three quick take-apart screws; knock-on lever operated free spool; dial-adjust anti-backlash brake; main gear and pinion gear of Manganese Bronze; optional check; gear ratio 2 1/2 : 1 .
Weight 848 grams. CAST - WAY logo and REG DSN APP. FOR molded in crank sideplate -c. 1950. Rare .
ERSKIN SURF CASTER REEL. (E 5 )




ERSKIN revolving drum multiplier, (Modeled on the Ocean City Inductor). maker Sides & Skinner, West Brunswick, Vic, die makers and manufacturing engineers. Chrome plated frame, bakelite end-plates and drum (spool); gear ratio 3: 1; knock-on free spool lever; magnetic brake; star drag; eriniod torpedo handle; counter balanced crank; optional check; quick take-apart screws; diameter 2 3/4'' ; drum (spool) width 2 1/8 ". ERSKIN SURFCASTER MAGNETIC moulded in back endplate, ERSKIN MADE IN AUSTRALIA moulded in front end-plate -c. 1950. Extremely rare.
FORRESTA SPECIAL SURF REEL (F 6)






FORRESTA SPECIAL revolving drum multiplier. A product of Halcyon products Pty. Ltd, Sydney and Newcastle - c. 1950.
Nickle plated body. Lever operated free spool; optional check; anti backlash regulator; maroon erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass counterweight crank. Body width 3 1/8’’ ; Back plate diameter 3’’; aluminium drum (spool) width 2 5/8’’ ; nickle plated brass pillars ; manganese bronze spindle bearings; knurled nickel plated brass spindle end float adjustment cap; bronze main helical gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ratio 2 1/2 : 1; FORRESTA SPECIAL stamped on back end plate. Weight: 470 gr. Rare. "This was the reel with which Bob Conaghan of Halcyon Products hoped to "knock off" his arch-rival Ken Bennett. With its free spool lever, knurled anti-backlash adjustment and raised gear housing the FORRESTA certainly looked more like the Bennett's GRAEME than Halcyon's SURFMASTER" Bob Dunn, AFR issue No. 2, F6.
HOLLOW SPOOL (H 7)





Hollow spool revolving drum multiplier, Cutcher & McLardy, Warners Bay NSW. One piece tubular aluminuim alloy consrtuction; polished aluminium frame; greene anodised threaded removable end plate rings (take apart) diameter 3 1/4"; body width 3 3/8" ; drum (spool) width 2 3/16" ; helical phosphor bronze main gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ratio 3 : 1; optional check; knock-on free spool lever; twin torpedo erinoid handles; aluminum crank. HOLLOW SPOOL PAT PEND stamped on back end plate -c 1950. Extremely rare.
The unique feature of this reel is the hollow and extremely shallow spool which gives the reel its name. The spool is strengthened against spreading under nylon line pressure, not only by its shallow depth but also by the twelve castellations used to join each flange to the spool.
KALUA FISHING REEL HISTORY.
In 1949 the KALUA revolving drum multiplier was created in Sydney by Manly Casting & Surf Angling Club member George Philip. Philip later sold his business to John Stevenson at S & S Engineering, who redesigned the reel and continued its manufacturing during the 1950s.
An interesting observation regarding the KAULA is the end float nut bearing adjustment, and it is also evident that level-wind mechanisms are interchangeable with the GRAEME. It is not clear, however, if there was an arrangement with Bennett Engineering to use some KALUA parts for their GRAEME production, or if Philip and later S & S Engineering had arrangements with Bennett Engineering to use some GRAEME parts for the Kalua manufacture, or if either simply copied various components for their respective reels.
The KALUA internal mechanism was of a high engineering standard. Unfortunately the bakelite end plates were highly prone to cracking or breakage if dropped, and in a worse case scenario, the metal pillar supported-frame became distorted and/or misaligned, thus causing the level-wind mechanism to seize or jam. Because of these design weaknesses, and the limited production of the KALUA during the 1950s, the reel today is very hard to find in a complete undamaged working order. All up, there were 7 different KALUA models produced: The Philip made Kalua minor; the Standard and a level-wind version; followed by the S & S Engineering redesigned level-wind models: Superflex 850; Kalua 900; Kalua 1000; and a non-level-wind model option. The KALUA bakelite end plates came in these colour options: Black (most common), Maroon and Brown.
This KALUA segment below features detailed images with technical specifications covering all the 8 different models produced (Ladd, B. 2/10/2021).



KALUA Minor first model (K 8)




Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker George Philip, Manly NSW.
Alumium alloy body ; Adjustable Anti backlash screw; twin black erinoid handles; nickle plated brass crank; nickle plated brass pillars; screw mounted nickle plated brass saddle (foot). Manganese bronze bearings; phospher bronze main gear; hardened steel pinon gear; gear ratio 4 : 1; diameter 3''; aluminium drum (spool width 1 1/2''; spool play (end float) adjusted by brass knurled bearing nut on front and back plate. Kalua Casting Reel engraved on front plate (crank handle side) -c late 1940s. Extremely rare.
KALUA Level Wind first model (K 9)


Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker George Philip, Manly NSW.
" Chrome - plated brass end plates, aluminium alloy spool, free spool lever, level wind (missing), counterbalanced handle, anti-backlash on each end plate, gear ratio 3 : 1 diameter 3 1/4'' , spool width 1 7/8''. Maker Geo Philip engraved on far end plate, Kalua Level Wind Reel engraved on near end plate -c. 1950.
This appears to be the proto-type for the reel later made by S & S Engineering after they bought the business from George Philip" from Bob Dunn AFR book page 125.
KALUA Wide drum first model (K 10)



Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker George Philip, Manly NSW. Alumium alloy body ; Adjustable Anti backlash screw; twin black erinoid handles; nickle plated brass crank; nickle plated brass pillars; screw mounted brass saddle (foot). Manganese bronze bearings; phospher bronze main gear; hardened steel pinon gear; gear ratio 4 : 1; diameter 3''; aluminium drum (spool width 2''; spool play (end float) adjusted by nickle plated brass knurled bearing nut on front and back plate. Kalua Casting Reel engraved on front plate (crank handle side) G. Philip Manly engraved on back plate -c late 1940s. Extremely rare.
KALUA Superflex 850 - knurled counterweight (K 11)



Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker S & S engineering, Brookvale NSW. Black bakelite side plates; optional check button; lever operated free spool; floating level line wind; non reversing star drag; counter balanced crank, erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass crank; nickle plated brass pillars; pillar mounted nickle plated brass saddle (foot). Manganese bronze bearings; phospher bronze main gear and level wind gears; silver steel pinon gear; gear ratio 4 : 1; front and backplate width 3 3/8''; nickle plated bronze drum (spool width 1 7/8''; spool play (end float) adjusted by nickle plated brass knurled bearing nut on backplate. Superflex "KALUA" 850 Made in Australia stamped on level wind shield (housing) -c 1950s. Scarce in original un-damaged condition.
KALUA Superflex 850 - Graeme style counterweight crank-handle (K 12)




Specifications as KALUA Superflex 850 (K4) but fitted with the Graeme style counterweight crank-handle. Scarce in original condition.
KALUA 900 (K 13)




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Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker S & S engineering, Brookvale NSW.
Black bakelite side plates ( also produced brown); optional check button; lever operated free spool; floating level line wind with end float adjustment service cap; non reversing star drag; counter balanced crank, white erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass crank; nickle plated brass pillars; pillar mounted nickle plated brass saddle (foot). Manganese bronze bearings; phospher bronze main gear and level wind gears; silver steel pinon gear; gear ratio 4 : 1; front and back plate width 3 3/8''; Stainless steel drum (spool width 1 7/8''; spool play (end float) adjusted by nickle plated brass knurled bearing nut on back plate. KALUA 900 Made in Australia stamped on level wind shield (housing) -c 1950s. Very rare in un-damaged condition with original box.
KALUA 1000 wide drum (K 14)



Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker S & S engineering, Brookvale NSW. Black bakelite side plates; optional check button; lever operated free spool; floating level line wind with end float adjustment service cap; non reversing star drag; counter balanced crank, white erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass crank; nickle plated brass pillars; pillar mounted nickle plated brass saddle (foot). Manganese bronze bearings; phospher bronze main gear and level wind gears; silver steel pinon gear; gear ratio 4 : 1; front and back plate width 3 3/8''; Stainless steel drum (spool width 2 3/8''; spool play (end float) adjusted by nickle plated brass knurled bearing nut on back plate. KALUA 1000 Made in Australia stamped on level wind shield (housing) -c 1950s. Very rare in near mint un-damaged condition.
KALUA Standard Non - Level Wind (K 15)




Kalua revolving drum multiplier maker S & S engineering, Brookvale NSW.
Black bakelite side plates; optional check button; lever operated free spool; non reversing star drag; counter balanced crank, white erinoid torpedo handle; nickle plated brass crank; nickle plated brass pillars; pillar mounted nickle plated brass saddle (foot). Manganese bronze bearings; phospher bronze main gear and level wind gears; silver steel pinon gear; gear ratio 4 : 1; front and back plate width 3 3/8''; nickle plated bronze drum (spool width 1 7/8''; nickle plated knurled brass free spool adjustment brake on back plate (see image 3). Several of these non-line guide reels have been sighted, but It's unclear if they were produced for competition casting or as a standard non level wind option -c. 1950s. Very rare in original un-damaged condition.
MEC Direct Wind Revolving Drum Reel. (M 16)



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Made in Australia, maker unknown. Black bakelite sideplate diameter 3 1/2''; drum sides 316 stainless steel; drum arbor gunmetal, width of drum (spool) 1 3/4; adjustable position saddle (foot) 316 stainless steel;optional check button; brass check cog; drum-crank handle spindle brass; crank handle brass nickle plated; erinod handle knobs; spindle bearings brass; sideplate screws 316 stainless steel; pillars (cross bars) 316 stainless steel. Weight of reel 348 grams. MEC moulded in backplate -c 1940s. Scarce.
MILES Star Drag Casting Reel (Ms 17)





Miles revolving drum multiplier maker W. Parsons, Yarraville vic . Nickle plated brass saddle (reel seat); ebonite end plates diameter 3 '' ; nickle plated bronze drum (spool) width 2 " ; counterbalanced crank; black erinoid torpedo handle; non-reversing star drag; quick take-apart screws; knock-on lever operated free spool; Helical main gear and Helical pinion gear; optional check; gear ratio 2 1/4 : 1 . MILES inscribed on crank and on inside gear mechanism plate -c. 1949. Very rare in excellent original order.
OFFSHORE Casting Reel early 1/4'' Saddle Pillars (0 18)





OFFSHORE revolving drum multiplier maker Emslie Tooling Pty Ltd, Caringbah NSW - c. 1947. According to factory specification manual - made of aluminium alloy - anodised and polished to a hard surface. Lever operated free spool; optional check; purple plastic type handles; aluminium crank. Body width 2 1/4’’ ; Back plate diameter 3 1/8’’; drum (spool) width 1 5/8’’ ; early design 1/4’’ saddle mounting pillars; manganese bronze spindle bearings; knurled nickel plated brass spindle end float adjustment cap; 3/8 cap nut crank retaining nut; 3 knurled nickel plated brass closed ends thumb nut, for quick take apart; bronze main helical gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ration 3 1/4 : 1; OUT <— —> IN OFFSHORE MADE IN AUSTRALIA stamped on front end plate. Weight: 280 gr. Scarce with early box.
OFFSHORE Casting Reel Later design 3/8'' Saddle Pillars (0 19)








OFFSHORE revolving drum multiplier maker Emslie Tooling Pty Ltd, Caringbah NSW - c. 1947. According to factory specification manual - made of aluminium alloy - anodised and polished to a hard surface. Lever operated free spool; optional check; green plastic type handles; aluminium crank. Body width 2 1/4’’ ; Back plate diameter 3 1/8’’; drum (spool) width 1 5/8’’ ; later design 3/8’’ saddle mounting pillars; manganese bronze spindle bearings; knurled nickel plated brass spindle end float adjustment cap; 3/8 cap nut crank retaining nut; 3 knurled nickel plated brass closed ends thumb nut, for quick take apart; bronze main helical gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ratio 3 1/4 : 1 ;
OUT <— —> IN OFFSHORE MADE IN AUSTRALIA stamped on front end plate. Weight: 280 gr. Scarce in mint condition with original box.
OFFSHORE Casting Reel Braked Drum (0 20)





OFFSHORE revolving drum multiplier maker Emslie Tooling Pty Ltd, Caringbah NSW - c. 1947.
According to factory specification manual - made of aluminium alloy - anodised and polished to a hard surface. Knurled cap screw adjustable wire - line drum (spool) anti-backlash brake; lever operated free spool; optional check; Greene plastic type handles; aluminium crank. Body width 2 1/4’’ ; Back plate diameter 3 1/8’’; drum (spool) width 1 5/8’’ ; later design 3/8’’ saddle mounting pillars; manganese bronze spindle bearings; knurled nickel plated brass spindle end float adjustment cap; 3/8 cap nut crank retaining nut; 3 knurled nickel plated brass closed ends thumb nut, for quick take apart; bronze main helical gear; hardened steel helical pinion gear; gear ratio 3 1/4 : 1; OUT <— —> IN OFFSHORE MADE IN AUSTRALIA stamped on front end plate. Weight: 302 gr. Rare in complete working order.
TRUKAST Star Drag Surf Casting Reel (T 21)




TRUKAST revolving drum multiplier maker L. G. Walters instrument maker Melbourne.
Chrome-plated die cast saddle (reel seat); bakelite end plates diameter 3 1/4'' ; bakelite drum (spool) width 2 1/8" ; counterbalanced crank; black erinoid bulbous handle; star drag; lever operated free spool; Helical main gear and Helical pinion gear; optional check; gear ratio 2 : 1 . TRUKAST moulded in back end plate -c. 1952. Very rare in mint order with box.
TRUKAST Standard Surf Casting Reel (T 22)





TRUKAST revolving drum multiplier maker L. G. Walters instrument maker Melbourne.
Chrome-plated die cast saddle (reel seat); bakelite end plates diameter 3 1/4'' ; bakelite drum (spool) width 2 1/8" ; counterbalanced crank; black erinoid bulbous handle; lever operated free spool; Helical main gear and Helical pinon gear; optional check; gear ratio 2 : 1 . TRUKAST moulded in back end plate -c. 1952. Rare to find undamaged.
WALPAR Standard Casting Reel (W 23)





WALPAR revolving drum multiplier maker W. Parsons, Yarraville vic .
Nickle plated brass saddle (reel seat); ebonite end plates diameter 3 1/16 ''; nickle plated bronze drum (spool) width 2 1/4 " ; counterbalanced crank; black erinoid torpedo handle; non-reversing star drag; quick take-apart screws; knock-on lever operated free spool; anti-backlash brake; Helical main gear and Helical pinion gear; optional check; gear ratio 2 1/4 : 1 . WALPAR inscribed on crank and on inside gear mechanism plate -c. 1949. Hard to find in excellent original order.
Quick Spool revolving drum multiplying baitcasting reel. (Early version) (Q 24)



Quick Spool revolving drum multiplier, produced by Geoffrey Pomfret, Quick Spool Reel Co, Newcastle NSW, (reference, Bob Dunn AFR supplement guide No. 6 - November 1999). Brass sideplates nickle plated, diameter 2 3/4'';body width 2 5/16''; aluminium drum (spool) width 1 1/2''; bronze main gear; hardened steel pinion gear; gear ratio 3 1/2 : 1; round bar free spool lever; erinoid torpedo handle; optional check button; 2 quick take apart screws; pillars and saddle (foot) brass nickle plated. QUICK SPOOL REEL Co NEWCASTLE stamped on crank handle sideplate -c. 1955. Rare,
Quick Spool Blue Anodised. (Later version) (Q 25)

Quick Spool Blue Anodised model. Round bar free spool lever; twin black erinoid tapered handles; other components similar to Quick Spool Q3. Rare. Maker Geoffrey Pomfret, Newcastle NSW.
Quick Spool revolving drum multiplying baitcasting reel. (Later version) (Q 26)


Quick Spool revolving drum multiplier, maker Geoffrey Promfet, Quick Spool Reel Co, Newcastle NSW -c.1960. Aluminium sideplates anodised dark brown , diameter 2 3/4''; body width 2 5/16''; aluminium drum (spool) width 1 1/2''; bronze main gear; hardened steel pinion gear; gear ratio 3 1/2 : 1; knob-plate free spool lever; twin aluminium tapered handles dark brown anodised; optional check button; 2 quick take apart screws; pillars and saddle (foot) brass nickle plated.QUICK SPOOL REEL Co NEWCASTLE stamped on crank handle sideplate -c. 1960. Rare.
Ocean King Revolving Drum Multiplying Baitcaster. (O 27)





Revolving drum multiplying baitcasting fishing reel, maker Geoffrey Pomfret, Newcastle NSW. Chrome plated brass construction; free drum (spool) lever; anti - reverse lever; optional check; anti-backlash dial control; star drag clutch system; S- shaped crank handle with twin Teflon handle knobs; quick take apart screws; straight-cut brass main gear, manganese bronze pinion gear, ratio 4:1; drum (spool) width 2 1/8", spindle supported by two sealed ball bearing races; end plate (side) width 2 9/16''. OCEAN KING BAITCAST - 1, A/B/ LASH, 2- RACES stamped on back end plate, OCEAN KING OPT. DRAG stamped on front endplate. Weight of reel 482 grams -c 1960. Extremely rare! According to Bob Dunn, AFR issue No. 6, "Pomfret produced 2 dozen or so baitcasters under the Ocean King name during the period from the late 1960s to the early 1970s".
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