How to date an older ABU 9000 reel. One possibility.

How to locate the manufacturing date on an older ABU multiplier, and one of the commonest interpretations of reading the serial number. There are a bewildering array of opinions about ABU multiplier serials. (Early ones were sometimes sequential, so dating relies on long gone factory records).

[@SteveHatton-pz8bx]

Thanks for the reply the only way I look at them is to the way they changed the handles and the washers in the older 1970 reels the washer after the star had a funny shape washer that could be locked I think by 80 they done away with that but that all I have and 70s 9000and 10..000 had thd round knob on habdle

[@SteveHatton-pz8bx]

I think the number are the model as in have pic from the scramatics if a abu12 and there a set 6 number IE model

[@Jazman342]

I have 2 6500s I bought in 1996. They have 040004 stamped in the bottom. Not sure what that means. Maybe they were made 8 years after I bought them in a year that had no months in it.

[@Mr_CMH]

Yeah, that's somewhat unlikely, maybe possible with a time machine. To be fair, I was dealing with ABUs from the 70s, and even then the factory seemed to have a bewildering array of serial number schemes. In my further defence I do say that this is just "the most common form" for numbering. If your research turns up the full information I'd be pleased to know more.

[@peter9011]

So my Abu Garcia ambassador 2000 says 830400 on the base part does that mean it was April 1983 First run?

[@Mr_CMH]

That's how I would read it, yes. On older (and perhaps newer) reels the numbering sometimes seems more confusing, but for this era, that's what I'd say.

[@Kivas_Fajo]

What is 53 58 14 on a European 4 screw 5000 then? May 1967?

[@Mr_CMH]

ABU changed from 4 screw to 3 screw sometime between 1967 and 1968, so 4 screw dates it to pre '68. I kind of wish I'd never made this video, because pre 70s the reels were sometimes given sequential serials, and the serial systems are not always straightforward. As I say in the video "the most common form is"...not the only form.

[@SteveHatton-pz8bx]

But the handle on a 9000 in 72 was not the type that's on that reel

[@Mr_CMH]

Yeah, you're not the first person to mention that to me. The reel came from a derelict tackle shop (see the video on my channel if you are interested) so it may have been a 'bitsa' put together there. If you have information or ideas about dating these reels please feel free to share it here.

[@4h_rm374]

Mine is 730301 and it’s a ambassadeur 5000c do you happen to know how much it can sell for

[@Mr_CMH]

Sorry, I wouldn't like to say. The way I work these things out is to look on ebay and use the prices there as a guide. Obviously depends on the condition too. Good luck.

[@zachpotts960]

Mine is 907985, the guy I got it from told me he bought it new in the late 70's, anything you can tell me?

[@Mr_CMH]

These numbers are complex! I think in mid to late 70's numbering the middle numbers sometimes indicate the production date - so 1979 seems likely..

[@eddieshamsul3914]

@@Mr_CMH i think its '79 month 09 serial 85

[@caseyfaircloth7078]

i have an Ambassadeur 5000c that has a serial of 017200, any thoughts?

[@Mr_CMH]

Yeah, if it looks aged I'd guess it's likely manufactured January 1972. The ABU numbering scheme seems somewhat bewildering at times, and I don't claim to be an expert, just sharing what I learned from my own research on ABU (and Mitchell).

[@caseyfaircloth7078]

@@Mr_CMH Thanks for the response, it is a 3 screw side panel, but I wasn't sure if the 01 stood for the year or not.

[@josephbryant8920]

My grandpa gave me his ambassadeur 522 Xlt with the # 85-4 89-90 could you tell how me old it is ?

[@Mr_CMH]

My best guess would be manufactured April 1985

[@Mr_CMH]

www.realsreels.com/reels/ambassadeur/datingABUreels.html

[@wyattcole350]

Mine is 030112-01 can you let me know what year it might be

[@Mr_CMH]

Have a look at this link www.mikesreelrepair.com/abu-date-codes/

[@peterknight8583]

I bought a abu 9000 at a carboot last weekend, watched your videos about cleaning them very useful as mine also had a stuck ratchet.managed to free it up,haven't attempted other side yet.my number is 741100 which I don't quite understand apart from I'm guessing its november 1974 .the reel seems to be identical to the one you serviced.was wondering what the 00 refered to.? cheers pete

[@Mr_CMH]

Sorry not to reply sooner Pete, I've been away. I think this number suggests, as you say, that the reel was manufactured in November 1974, but agree the 00 on the end might be puzzling. Perhaps something like the first production run with new tooling, maybe, though that's only a guess. But November 1974 seems right for this model. Pleased the video was helpful. Clive

[@martinpearse267]

The last 2 digits are revision numbers

[@gunnerzane5230]

I have an old 6000 stamped 040600. Works better than some new ones..

[@Mr_CMH]

Indeed so!

[@cc27006]

Mine has a serial number 521673. Any idea?

[@Mr_CMH]

That's a tricky one - I would assume 1973, the other numbers may relate to the week of manufacture and the design version. In other versions of the dating systems the 52 relates to the year of original design, the 16 to the design version and the 73 to the year of manufacture. It wasn't until latterly that ABU had a more consistent dating system. Earlier models had different serial numbers depending on the production line, I believe.

[@kimgibson9668]

Mine is 107200 what year is it

[@Mr_CMH]

Most likely it's October 1972.

[@SteveHatton-pz8bx]

I've a 10000 here 757600

[@stefanseelmann3595]

Great info. But my numbers are 505065. What would those numbers designate. Thank you Sir

[@Mr_CMH]

Oh, that's interesting. The rule of thumb I outlined doesn't seem to hold true in every case. The odd cases like yours do come up. I'm not sure when production started on this model, I wonder if it might be 1965 model? For sure some production lines definitely don't stick to the rule I outline here. Hope you enjoy using the reel.

[@Lanedagoat36]

My 5000 says 84-1

[@Mr_CMH]

I suppose January 1984.

[@jim6161]

Cool. Now I can tell if it one that was still made in Sweden and not the junk Chinese made ones. All of mine were bought new back in the 80's except for my 7000. That one is new. But not as good as my 6500 c3. Berkley really mess up when they moved the factory to China. The Sweden built ones are still good. But the Chinese made ones are a pile of crap.

[@waynebrown1609]

i have a ABU 5000 D. 731200

[@Mr_CMH]

So I guess that's December 1973, probably no revisions to the production run at that point. However I gather ABU didn't have completely standardised serial numbers until later on.

[@downsouthhighlights]

My Ambassadeur 5000 reads 656494, does that tell me anything.

[@Mr_CMH]

Got me stumped! Apparently very early models had odd numbering which was only really meaningful to the production line, not intended for future public reference. Depends if the reel looks very old, might alter the thinking. Some models were stamped with year of manufacture/year of design, strangely +10 years, so that might possibly make it 1954/1955, but that's just 'educated' guessing on my part. I don't know when the design originated.

[@downsouthhighlights]

@@Mr_CMH it’s an early model of the ambassadeur 5000, I couldn’t find anything either, Thanks though!

[@Mr_CMH]

@@downsouthhighlights It's all good fun!