Johnson Reel Collectors Assn. (J.R.C.A.) since 10/10/14
Johnson Commander Models => Model 150A (1972-1976) => Topic started by: salmonfishing on January 04, 2018, 12:58:46 PM
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I happen to have what appear to be two unused new in the box Commander 150A reels which are different versions I discovered after comparing them. The left one has drain holes and chrome on the front cover while the right version is painted with no chrome and has no drain holes. The one on the left on the side plate has a chrome screw holding the push button in place and the right one has a long black rivet holding it. The left one has a faint yellow tint to the bullseye decal (the 150 has a yellow bullseye) while the right one has an all white bullseye which is also located slightly higher up on the push button. Even the boxes they came in are different (left box blueish color is from the green fading I would guess from sunlight). Purely a guess but I think the right one is the last year version made in 1976. It is hard to tell from the catalogs but in the 1976 catalog, the fish line tag on the reel matches the fish line tag profile on the same page as the Commander 150A. I am guessing the subtle changes cheapened up the cost of manufacture of the reel a bit before it was discontinued the following year but as I said, purely a guess.
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That's one thing we know for sure about Johnson, they kept changing their products year to year.
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I have a Johnson reel that has a typical Commander front cover with the plated opening surround and internal works, but a back cover from what appears to be a Force 315 with a side sticker that says "Johnson" in a cursive script. Go figger. I wonder if it's a late production model using parts from two different models?
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I certainly don't know Skip but it sounds like a cool reel! I like those one off reels that makes you wonder!