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# Pflueger Nobby overview
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The Pflueger Nobby is a sporty‑ to heavy‑duty baitcasting reel, rated in its box insert for 12 to 30 lb. monofilament. That range overlaps the “sporty” and “heavy‑duty” baitcasting classes in Shakespeare’s *Secrets of Successful Fishing*, so the reel spans a notably wide section of the balanced‑tackle spectrum. This means it is suitable to use for fish ranging from bass to tarpon, and for both freshwater and salt. This also means it is hefty enough to use for freshwater trolling.
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The Pflueger Nobby is a sporty‑ to heavy‑duty baitcasting reel, rated in its box insert for 12 to 30 lb. monofilament; that range overlaps the “sporty” and “heavy‑duty” baitcasting classes in Shakespeare’s *Secrets of Successful Fishing*, so the reel spans a notably wide section of the balanced‑tackle spectrum. This means it is suitable to use for fish ranging from bass to tarpon, and for both freshwater and salt. This also means it is hefty enough to use for freshwater trolling.
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Pflueger made several different models of the Nobby over its production years from 1935 to 1971. The reel shown in this overview is model no. 1963 - which, a bit confusingly, has nothing to do with production years. More details on models, variations, and years of production are provided in the following sections.
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Pflueger made several different models of the Nobby over its production years from 1935 to 1971. The reel shown in this overview is model no. 1963 - which, a bit confusingly, has nothing to do with production years. More details on [models](#history-and-models), variations, and years of production are provided in the following sections.
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<figuremarkdown>
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The service guide video shows you how to disassemble, clean, lubricate, and reassemble this reel. This is the companion video for the illustrated, step-by-step service guide here on Vintage Reel Service Guides. Coming soon.
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The service guide video shows you how to disassemble, clean, lubricate, and reassemble this reel. This is the companion video for the illustrated, step-by-step service guide here on Vintage Reel Service Guides. *Both the service guide and the video are in the works*.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>On the bench - removing the crank</figcaption>
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</figure>
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## History and similar models
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## History and models
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Introduced in the mid‑1930s, the Nobby sat in the middle of Pflueger’s baitcasting lineup: more refined and “nobbier” than earlier, plainer winch‑style reels, but simpler and more affordable than top‑end models with full drag stacks and more complex controls. Over the next few decades it evolved through several model numbers and finishes, reflecting both changing materials and changing ideas about what a stylish, mid‑priced American baitcaster should look like.
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The reel shown in this overview is model *no. 1963*, which was introduced in 1935. Production continued until 1957, when it was superceded by the *Nobby Deluxe 1960*. The following table summarizes the various models in the Nobby family of reels and their manufacture dates:
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Model| Production years
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*1963* | 1935 - 1957
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*1963C*<br>(chromium finish) | 1954 - 1971
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*no. 1963* | 1935 - 1957
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*no. 1963C*<br>(chromium finish) | 1954 - 1971
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*Deluxe 1960*<br>(replaced the basic 1963)| 1957 - 1971
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*Ultimate*
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(with push-button free spool<br>and star drag) | 1964 - 1971
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*Ultimate*<br>(with push-button free spool<br>and star drag) | 1964 - 1971
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Production of all Nobby models ended in 1971.
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## Specifications
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The Nobby are made mostly of aluminum alloy, sometimes referred to in company documentation as "nickalum." The trim is made of another company-original material, "diamolite." The bearing blocks, bushings, and bearings - all parts subject to heavy wear - are made of phosphor bronze. The thread shaft - the main component of the level-wind mechanism - is made of what Pfleuger literature refers to as "diamalloy," which was reputed to be rustproof. The pawl (the other main component of the level-wind) is made of steel alloy. This combination of materials makes the reel durable enough for saltwater use as well as being extremely light for its duty rating.
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The gears (3) appear to be made of brass.
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The oil cups on the front and back plates, in which the steel pivots of the spool rotate, are inset with what the box insert calls "scarlet jewels," which appear to be garnets or some similar stone. In any case, they appear to be very long-wearing. The front oil cup "jewel" is visible in the center of the front cap.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Nobby - oil cup and other handle-side controls</figcaption>
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</figure>
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The arbors were made of aluminumn until 1941, when they began to be made of cork, which was supposed to make for easier casting, and to allow anglers to cast greater distances. This specific example Nobby has the cork arbor. Some models also had plastic arbors.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Cork arbor</figcaption>
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</figure>
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## Specifications and materials
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**Weight:** 5 3/4 oz.
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**Gears:** 3
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**Line capacity**
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**Line capacity:**
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Monofilament
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The Nobby is made mostly of aluminum alloy, sometimes referred to in company documentation as "nickalum." The trim is made of another company-original material, "diamolite." The bearing blocks, bushings, and bearings - all parts subject to heavy wear - are made of phosphor bronze.
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The thread shaft - the main component of the level-wind mechanism - is made of what Pflueger literature refers to as "diamalloy," reputed to be rustproof (this appears to be true). The pawl (the other main component of the level-wind) is made of steel alloy. This combination of materials makes the reel durable enough for saltwater use as well as being extremely light for its duty rating.
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The three internal gears are made of brass, which makes them very durable, hard, and long-wearing.
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The oil cups on the front and back plates, in which the steel pivots of the spool rotate, are inset with what the box insert calls "scarlet jewels," which appear to be garnets or some similar stone. In any case, they seem very long-wearing.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Handle-side controls</figcaption>
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</figure>
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The arbors were made of aluminum until 1941, when they began to be made of cork, which was supposed to make for easier casting, and to allow anglers to cast greater distances. This reel shown in this overview has the cork arbor. Some models also had plastic arbors.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Cork arbor</figcaption>
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</figure>
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## Logo, colors, and finishes
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Certainly "Nobby" seems to be an odd name for a fishing reel in the current millennium, but looking at the dictionary definition seems to help explain what Pflueger was aiming for when they named this reel:
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"Nobby" seems an odd name for a fishing reel. Looking at the dictionary definition helps explain what Pflueger was aiming for when they named this reel:
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nob’by, a.; comp. nobbier; superl. nobbiest. 1. of or for nobs; stylish; fashionable. [Slang] 2. excellent; first-rate. [Slang]
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*nob’by, a.; comp. nobbier; superl. nobbiest. 1. of or for nobs; stylish; fashionable. [Slang] 2. excellent; first-rate. [Slang]*
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So they seem to have been marketing it as something very stylish.
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The Nobby did not sport a badge, but just a simple inscribed, script logo.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Nobby logo</figcaption>
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<figcaption>Logo and model number</figcaption>
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</figure>
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The Nobby was offered at various points during its overall production run in a variety of colors:
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- Blue. An early version of anodized aluminum (the blue was in the anodized finish). Apparently this early process did not result in a very durable finish, so examples that still sport their blue finish seem to be a bit rare.
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- Satin finish. This was referred to by Pfleuger as "polished nickalum" and was in production after 1936 (the example reel in the photos appears to have this finish so probably was made after 1936).
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- Satin finish. This was referred to by Pfleuger as "polished nickalum" and was in production after 1936.
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- Red.
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- Green.
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- Maroon. This seems to have been only used in later production years.
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- Maroon. This seems to have been used only in later production years.
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- Chromium. This finish was used for the 1963C, and dates from post-1964.
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- Chromium. This finish was used for the model *no. 1963C*.
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The crank handles were made of plastic in a variety of colors:
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- White. As for the gray marbled handles, used in later years.
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The example reel's handles suggest it was made after 1948.
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<figuremarkdown>
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**Anti-backlash / ABL**:The Nobby features an interesting "infinite" anti-backlash control button. By rotating the button in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) the user can gradually increase the amount of tension on the spool. In practical terms, 3 or 4 partial turns gets to the "click" point when tension is again zero. So when beginning a casting session the angler may want a little more tension to help prevent backlashes while getting warmed up - 3 partial turns, a few casts, then all the way to zero, 2 partial turns, and so on, until the sweet spot for casting is found.
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Less tension means greater casting distance because of less tension on the spool, but also more possibility of backlash - depending on the skill of the angler! But in this angler's experience, compared to other mid-century baitcasters, the Nobby is relatively easy to use, even for beginners.
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Less tension means greater casting distance because the spool can spin more freely, but also increases possibility of backlash - depending on the skill of the angler!
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**Level wind**: The level wind mechanism uses a very small pawl that rides back and forth across the shaft during retrieve, and this part can be damaged if grit gets into the threads of the shaft. So, Pfleuger engineered a very small receptacle in the side of the reel, which holds an extra pawl. This receptacle is accessed by removing the screw above the grease disc.
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**Level wind**: The level wind mechanism uses a very small pawl that rides back and forth across the shaft during retrieve. Since this small, easily damaged or lost part is essential to the functioning of the level wind, Pfleuger engineered a very small receptacle in the side of the reel which holds an extra pawl.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>ABL button, extra pawl compartment</figcaption>
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<figcaption>Level wind thread shaft and pawl cover</figcaption>
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</figure>
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**Grease disc**: Pfleuger recommends greasing the reel's gears regularly (as for any reel, but perhaps even more important for these mid-century baitcasters), and this reel sports a fairly innovative feature - by sliding the grease disc to one side a small hole is exposed, which allows the angler to grease the gears without disassembling the reel. The box insert states that "It should not be necessary to take this reel apart for cleaning oftener than once or twice a season . . ."
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**Grease disc**: Pfleuger recommends greasing the reel's gears regularly (a good practice for any reel, but perhaps even more important for these mid-century baitcasters), and this reel sports a fairly innovative feature - by sliding the grease disc to one side a small hole is exposed, which allows the angler to grease the gears without disassembling the reel. The box insert states that "It should not be necessary to take this reel apart for cleaning oftener than once or twice a season . . ."
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Grease disc</figcaption>
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</figure>
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**Clicker**: The click mechanism is thrown on or off by sliding the click button located on the back plate. This is intended to (1) sound a warning when a strike occurs or (2)keep the line tight on the spool when the reel is not in use. It is not intended to prevent backlashes, nor should it be on when casting or retrieving.
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**Clicker**: The click mechanism is thrown on or off by sliding the click button located on the back plate. This is intended to (1) sound a warning when a strike occurs or (2)keep the line tight on the spool when the reel is not in use.
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<figuremarkdown>
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<figcaption>Clicker</figcaption>
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</figure>pflueger-nobby-1963-clicker-side.jpg)
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</figure>
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## Balanced tackle outfits
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## Dating the example reel
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Handles
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Finish
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The model *no. 1963* was produced from 1935 - 1957 and the satin finish was introduced after 1936. Cork arbors were introduced after 1941 and the marbled handles indicate a pre-1948 vintage, so this reel was likely made between 1941 and 1948. This means the reel shown in this overview is (as of writing July 2026) about 78 to 85 years old, and after servicing, still works perfectly.
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