Dave Swallow Centrepin

[Rusty]

One of these caught my eye during an ebay window shopping session and despite Googling I couldn’t find out much about it. Apparently Dave Swallow manufactured these reels at Ringwood Hampshire and that’s about all I know, most of that’s on the backplate.

 

 

I bought it anyway and I’m glad I did but would like to know a bit more about these reels, can anybody help or isn’t there much more to it? It’s a very nice reel with some well thought out design features;

 

Knurled drum rim for batting but not where you’d apply drag with your thumb.

 

 

The handles are set well inboard so as not to get in the way and are removable. Note the big holes for finger twiddlers.

 

 

The drum is retained by a knurled ‘nut’ on the backplate, remove it and the entire drum/bearing assembly comes apart in one large lump.

 

 

 

Not great for ballrace replacement but clearly it’s designed in such a way as to prevent crap from getting in.

[tincatinca]

I nearly bought one of these many years ago and must have driven Dave Swallow mad with the number of times that I rang him up asking questions. What put me off at the time was the way that the reel went together which was similar to the Relum which he might well have had something to do with but I decided in the end to get an Adcock Stanton instead. If my memory serves me right there were more than one version of the Swallow reel. I think that the one you have is the earlier version.

 

Here is a picture of the Relum I used to have but unfortunatelyI cannot find one of it stripped down but it is very similar to your Swallow.

 

 

[ayjay]

I think the early ones were made by Dave Plowman, but probably more were made later by Dave Swallow at Ibsley.

 

Not sure if they are still produced but they might be being made for Ringwood Tackle, don't know who by though.

[Dick Dastardly]

I used to have one Rusty.Very overpriced for whst it was in comparrison with the AN reel I have now.

[Elton]

I bought it anyway.....

 

The sign of a true addict. There's no turning back now

[chevin]

Does anyone have an address of any kind for Dave Swallow? We fished together many years ago.

[ayjay]

Does anyone have an address of any kind for Dave Swallow? We fished together many years ago.

 

 

Used to, but he had to move from where he made the reels.

 

I believe the reels are still sold by Ringwood Tackle, so they may have contact details although I'm not sure that Dave still manufactures them.

[chevin]

Used to, but he had to move from where he made the reels.

 

I believe the reels are still sold by Ringwood Tackle, so they may have contact details although I'm not sure that Dave still manufactures them.

 

OK thanks mate.

[dave swallow]

OK thanks mate.

 

 

I AM DAVE SWALLOW! I no longer make the reels. I am 72 and I prefer to just fish. Anyone intrested contact me on swallow1@live.co.uk

[Newt]

Welcome to Angler's Net Dave. Good to have you.

 

I've never even seen a pin close up and the original photos had me with thoughts of buying one even though they aren't at all suited to the places and styles I fish. Its sorta like a Purdy shotgun - it just looks so great its worth hanging on the wall.