For sale here is an Otto Zwarg Model 400 Laurentian salmon fly reel in the 2/0 size. Made in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1948 (first year after his move from Brooklyn). Serial number C438. This one is in excellent overall condition. The drag is still adequately strong and smooth. Screw heads are unmolested. Full length untouched foot. Comes with a fine leather case in fully intact condition. I don't know the story behind the "1" on the handle arm. The n/s rings have more pins in place than one usually sees on a reel of this type. Both of these oddities could be original, but again, I can't be certain.

Zwarg reels were first made in Brooklyn, before moving to St. Petersburg, FL where the bulk of his reels were made. As head of reel making for Vom Hofe, Zwarg worked with the world class fisherman who followed him when he was granted the right to make the Vom Hofe style reels under his own name. Only Zwarg made his reels even tougher. If you weigh Vom Hofe and Zwarg reels of the same size, you will find the Zwargs are slightly heavier, owing to Zwarg's use of heavier internal gearing and braking.