I have just acquired one and, like you, and trying to build up some information about it. The partial details that I now know include:

Construction, build quality etc: Near bomb proof. Weighs >11oz, so they went for strength over weight. An interesting mix of brass (the foot, and several internal moving parts), aluminium alloy and steel.

Uses and reliability: it was advertised for saltwater use, and the individual parts are saltwater resistant, but other posters on the net have suggested that it is a little prone to corrosion in the corners. I bought it for salmon, and it balances a DH rod perfectly.

Capacity, drag effectiveness if any? I have the 3 5/8", which is the wider of the spools. It takes a DT11 Intermediate and about 70 yards of 30lb dacron. Other lines are WF10s with 120 yards+ of dacron. Gel-spun woudl clearly increase all of these.

The drag is incredible: a compression drag inside the arbour and a secondary drag for the anti reverse plate inside the frame. It tightens to near totality.

Opinions of any member who has used this reel: I have not yet used it in anger on a large salmon, but have absolutely no doubt of its ability to handle on. The anti-reverse is a terrific design, and the reel is a pleasure to use, provided you understand how AR reels work: they can be a bit frustrating initially!

Hope this helps

 

Ha,
I bought mine for the same reason as you, switching light double hander for Salmon :thumbs:

Since I posted the above I have unearthed quite a lot of info and also the only known supplier of spare parts etc.
Nice reels but a little overpriced by modern standards, the dealers seem to want to grab everything on offer then crank up the prices, however there is the odd private sale around if your lucky.

Im halfway through a complete strip and rebuild with mine, I had encountered a few problems but I be will finishing it off with a set of carbontex drag washers which are a modern greased design, provide a very smooth start up and rarely require much maintenance.

The only design was the 3 5/8" size and the last was made in the 1980's, there were only the mkl and mkll models made and both have interchangable parts and spools.
I played around with lines and think they will take around 150m of a quality 40lb spectra braid plus a normal (none spey) fly line.

You will be receiving a pm.

 

For anyone searching this reel .....

It is quite bomb-proof.
The anti-reverse stops striped bass to 12 lbs and false albacore to 8 lbs dead.
For salmon and s/trout it is more than sufficient.
I will try it for bones and permit and small tarpon....surely capable.

Lines. Capacity . I know it carries a SA Striper WF 9 and 120 yds of Dacron.

For Spey and others you must adjust.

A brilliant and underrated real. The only downs are its weight 11 oz, and perceived limit to the amount of line it might carry....though as said elsewhere Gel-spun can solve any backing fears. It picks up spent line very quickly

I guess that Zane Grey would have appreciated this item where modern 'light-weight' fans might not.

I use it on a 6/7 Z Axis switch, an 8 wt Greys Carnivore and a 7Wt Beulah.

It catches fish. Always wash any reel after salt. It is simple and solid.

 

From memory they made a #1 and #2 - slightly different sizes for bonefish and tarpon I guess. They do seem pretty bombproof I used to use one for salmon fishing several years ago.

Tight lines

Richard