Shakespeare 1973 and 1973D Teardrop Sportcasts

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leland99
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Shakespeare 1973 and 1973D Teardrop Sportcasts

Post by leland99 »

I was looking for the Shakespeare 1973 teardrop-shaped Sportcast in the Shakespeare catalogs for those available in the ORCA library (1951, 1952, and 1956). These catalogs include the 1973D but no reference to a teardrop-shaped 1973. I also found this Reel Talk thread from 2015 viewtopic.php?t=17122 which alluded to the possibility the 1973 teardrop was earlier with Balsa arbor and the 1973D teardrop was later with plastic snap-on arbor. From the catalogs previously noted in our library, the 1951 and 1952 catalog listings for the 1973D reference the balsa arbor feature and the 1956 catalog listing references the plastic snap-on arbor feature.

In doing general eBay and google searches, the 1973 (no D) teardrop reel shows up frequently.

Since that thread in 2015, has any come up with any new or updated theories on the distinction between the 1973 and 1973 teardrop-shaped Sportcasts??
Bryce Tawney
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Packing these reels into my nest hole: Talbot, Milam, Meek, Horton, Heddon, Wm Shakespeare Jr, and small diameter skeleton fly reels!
wrong99
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Re: Shakespeare 1973 and 1973D Teardrop Sportcasts

Post by wrong99 »

Bill's reply in the earlier thread is correct. The 1973 Model FK with the balsawood arbor was the first produced and in midstream it was changed to the 1973D Model FK with the plastic one. This would not be reflected in catalogs for a model changed mid-year, as the catalogs were usually printed the year before. I own a boxed example of every Sportcast produced and have found that catalog listings overlap, are omitted or are not corrected for a year or two. Maddening!
Mark
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leland99
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Re: Shakespeare 1973 and 1973D Teardrop Sportcasts

Post by leland99 »

Thank you Mark.
Bryce Tawney
The Reel Packrat

Packing these reels into my nest hole: Talbot, Milam, Meek, Horton, Heddon, Wm Shakespeare Jr, and small diameter skeleton fly reels!
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