Early Pflueger Medalist diamolite line guard question

[Nick]

Can someone tell me if an early diamolite medalist with "cage" spool and pre drag adjustment...all shouldered pillars, is a hard find in the 1496 model? I'm seeing info on the smaller reels and later ones,but not the early 1496.thanks

[RAM]

Does "shoulder" mean "sculptured"? (Term I use) Is the latch cover metal?
Sounds like tough early model. Pic?

Bad Bob

[Low Profile]

1496 was apparently around in the earliest days according to literature I've read. I don't recall ever handling a 1496 version with the bird cage spool/no adjustable drag whereas I've had several earliest versions in the 1492/1494 sizes. So, yes it is quite possible that they are rarer than the smaller sizes. There are quite a few medalist collectors out there and maybe they can add to this. Here's a quick shot of a 1492 that I believe is the configuration you are talking about.

[Nick]

here are pics of the 1496...yes they are sculptured pillars...thanks.

[Nick]

Hi Bob...I posted pic...thanks

[reelsmith.]

Good info here: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/feature ... art287.php

Dean.

[Nick]

Hi Dean...I checked all of that out,but this model is a bit different and not as much info on it. thanks,Nick

[reelsmith.]

Looks to me just like the earliest smaller reels.

The earliest reels have a single spring/pawl and the caged spool, like yours.

What is different that I’m not seeing ?

Dean.

[Nick]

yes...sculptured Bob..thanks ...see pics I posted.thanks

[john elder]

Nick, heres aclose relative that is same except this one has two pawls. BB/Dean...so whats the deal re chronology or were the two options offered in the same time frame? With both pawls operational, the reel turns rather stiffly so obvious increase in drag, prrhaps something desired for the bigger fish this reel would have been used for?

[reelsmith.]

To the best of my knowledge -

The version with one pawl came first and is found on reels with the foot held with rivets. Also, the click springs of the earliest reels are held by screws.

The two pawl reels (use one or the other, not both) came later and are on reels with the foot held with screws, not rivets.

Here is a picture of the innards of a first model 1394 ...



This reel came in a maroon box marked 1929, which was the first year of the Medalist.

Dean.

[wrong99]

Nick, heres aclose relative that is same except this one has two pawls. BB/Dean...so whats the deal re chronology or were the two options offered in the same time frame? With both pawls operational, the reel turns rather stiffly so obvious increase in drag, prrhaps something desired for the bigger fish this reel would have been used for?

Interesting that this model number "1496" appears to be stamped over the "1394" model number.
Mark

[john elder]

Yes, stamped over 1396>1496, not 1494. Thats seen frequently, especially with the dmaller reels. Pfl was frugal, to say the least and so used the earlier stamped faceplates when opportunity arose.
Thanks, Dean for the info!

[RAM]

Can't add much else to these comments-except it is a scarce and desirable reel. I have two 1494s similar (all finish missing but looks better than with half of the finish missing) and fish one (maybe one is a 1394?) It really looks cool!

Bad Bob
PS: I don't keep up with values any longer. Others can help here.

[Nick]

Thanks to everyone for the info....Nick