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Random Quote: Boatowner's prayer. Please dont let my widow sell my gear for what I said I paid for it.
They haven't produced Penn Int'ls with the chrome cross bar in over 10 years I know. I am not aware if the S/N will tell you age. I doubt it will although maybe Penn can tell you if they info on that particular S/N.
the two older ones will have the number inside side plate, i believe if i remember correctly that it is the last two digets of the number. the semi newer one will be on the lower bar . last two digets i believe as well , exp : 43859798 , would be 98 model
I'm pretty sure they do have the year in the number as stated above. alantani on here will know for sure. He also did a great rebuild tutorial on a 30 which is basically the same for all the 50 and 80. I did all 6 of my 50's using his instructions and they are sweet. Two had a service tag inside dated 1987, I guess it was time.....
The year built is in the serial number.
They usually start with a letter, which is the month the reel was made [A=January, B= February, etc.].
Then the next 2 numbers are the year it was made [98=1998, 06= 2006, etc.].
After that, the remaining numbers are the order in which it was built in that month and year.
__________________ Penn Pro Staffer
The best kind of fish in the world is the one on the end of your line.
They haven't produced Penn Int'ls with the chrome cross bar in over 10 years I know. I am not aware if the S/N will tell you age. I doubt it will although maybe Penn can tell you if they info on that particular S/N.
You are only off by a little - the last Penn Internationals that were not the one piece frames were built in 1979 or 80. I bought my first 30TW in 1982.
All Penn Internationals have a year code in them.
The year built is in the serial number.
They usually start with a letter, which is the month the reel was made [A=January, B= February, etc.].
Then the next 2 numbers are the year it was made [98=1998, 06= 2006, etc.].
After that, the remaining numbers are the order in which it was built in that month and year.
Tunanorth is correct... but then again, he should be given his pro staff status.
How old are my penn internationals? 
