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In this reeLpedia® page 44 segment, I have technically featured and showcased 10 different CLASMI vintage fishing reel models for your reference. ( Ladd B. 19/7/2014).
Bob Dunn eloquently described the difference between the original CROUCH reel and the CROUCH lookalike called CLASMI. Dunn claimed in his AFR book, that the creator of the CROUCH reel, Jack Crouch Senior, did not take steps to secure patent rights for his innovative design. The Crouch reel became quickly popular and it was not long before Jack Crouch started to become increasingly disappointed with the considerable margins that the wholesale traders took from the sales of his highly sought reel.
To counter this unfavorable situation, Jack Crouch decided to advertise and sell his reel at the recommended retail price directly to the retail outlets and private buyers. This of course led the wholesale traders to engage a Melbourne general manufacturing engineer, Clarrie Smith, to produce an almost identical reel. And he did. A CLASMI reel, with its name derived from the first three letters of the first and last name of its maker, soon appeared on the market featuring a very similar design to that of the CROUCH. On the surface the differences between the two reels were mainly cosmetic:- a twin-handled crank on the CLASMI, compared to a single handle on the CROUCH; a spring-loaded pin on the removable threaded end-plate of the CLASMI (to control spool speed during casting), compared to the CROUCH'S combination of a spool regulator on the fixed end-plate, and a fingertip control aperture in the removable threaded end-plate. But, the experience of the end-user would prove that the famous original CROUCH was of superior engineering quality in the way it was manufactured and its fine smooth ease of operation.
The general-purpose freshwater CLASMI fishing reel came in two aluminium body finishes: i) acid etched, and ii) anodised. The latter included several anodising colour options, which were: silver, matt black, copper bronze, or gold. Both freshwater CLASMI versions are fitted with twin ebonite handles supported on a chrome-plated brass crank. It is pertinent to mention that the twin ebonite crank handles were poorly designed as they were prone to breakage if dropped, poorly stored, or subjected to heavy-handed use. To address this evident design "cost-cutting" anomaly, Smith eventually implemented the heavy-duty crank single torpedo handle of erinoid - a standard fitment on the Clasmi saltwater model, which was found to be much more ergonomically superior, and thus became standard on later freshwater models. There is little information publicly available about Clarrie Smith, other than the CLASMI reel was produced by him in Melbourne, during the early 1950s.
The technical specifications for the CLASMI Metal revolving drum multiplying reel
by Clarrie Smith in Melbourne, Australia, are as follows:
1. Model and Maker:
* CLASMI Metal revolving drum multiplying reel by Clarrie Smith, Melbourne, Victoria.
2. Body Material:
* Aluminum body.
* Early saltwater model with chrome plating.
* Later models were produced with heavy-duty 13 microns thick silver anodising.
3. Drum (Spool) Features:
* Finger-operated chrome-plated knurled nut for drum (spool) tension control.
4. Brake and Anti-Backlash Features:
* Fingertip spring-loaded pin for anti-backlash brake adjustment.
* Brake pad-controlled free spool lever.
5. Additional Features:
* Optional check button.
6. Gear Ratio:
* Gear ratio of 2.25 : 1.
7. Dimensions:
* Diameter of 3 9/16'' for the side plates.
* Drum width of 7/8''.
* Body width of 1 9/16''.
* Weight of reel 354gr.
8. Markings:
* "Clasmi " is inscribed on the front plate.
9. Manufacturing Era:
* Manufactured around the early 1950s.
Acid etched Clasmi.
Anodized Clasmi.
Saltwater Clasmi Plated.
Saltwater Clasmi Thick Anodised.
CLASMI - Flag Shaped Border First Production Design. C i - 1.
Clasmi revolving drum multiplying general purpose fishing reel. ' First production design '. Acid etched aluminium body; early model un-plated brass saddle (foot); crank handle chromium plated; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass. Clasmi in flag-shaped border inscribed on the front plate. Extremely rare.
CLASMI Later Version Gold Anodised With Early Box Design. C i - 2.
Twin knob crank Clasmi reel. Gold anodized aluminium body; brass saddle (foot) and crank handle chromium plated all later models; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass - Clasmi factory specifications. Very rare with box and pamphlet
CLASMI Acid Etched Aluminum Body With Later Box Design. C i - 3.
Twin knob crank Clasmi reel. Etched aluminium body; brass saddle (foot) and crank handle chromium plated; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass - Clasmi factory specifications. Very rare with box and pamphlet.
CLASMI Copper - Bronze Anodised Model. C i - 4.
Twin knob crank Clasmi reel. copper-bronze aluminium body; brass saddle (foot) and crank handle chromium plated; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass - Clasmi factory specifications.
Saltwater Clasmi Chrome Plated Model. C i - 5.
Torpedo handle heavy-duty crank saltwater Clasmi reel. Chromium-plated aluminium body; brass saddle (foot) and crank handle chromium plated; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass - Clasmi factory specifications. Very rare
Saltwater Clasmi. Silver Heavy Duty Anodising . C i - 6.
CLASMI SALT WATER Vintage Fishing Reel: A Confirmed Classic. Anodising expert, Garth Collins, based in Melbourne, Australia, has confirmed that the anodising on this reel is 13 microns thick. Specifications: Torpedo handle knob; heavy-duty crank (standard saltwater models) circa 1950. Hard to find in original near-mint condition.
Black Anodised Clasmi. C i - 7.
Twin knob crank Clasmi reel. Black anodized aluminium body; brass saddle (foot) and crank handle chromium plated; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass - Clasmi factory specifications. Scarce.
Clasmi Double Inscribed . C i - 8.
Twin knob crank Clasmi reel. Acid etched aluminium body; brass saddle (foot) and crank handle chromium plated; bronze bearing; driving gears brass on brass - Clasmi factory specifications. CALSMI dual inscription engraved on the front side plate. Rare.
Silver Anodised Clasmi Torpedo Handle Model. C i - 9.
Clasmi general purpose reel, with heavy-duty crank & knob (standard saltwater models) Hard to find in original condition
Black Anodised Clasmi Torpedo Handle Model. C i - 10.
Clasmi general purpose reel. Black anodized with heavy duty crank & knob (standard salt water models) Very rare with box and pamphlet.
CLASMI spool size option specifications.
CLASMI early inscribed flag shape border.
CLASMI double inscription .
Clasmi 1952 advertisement.
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