I didn't know whether to post this here or in "show and tell" because it's both. Anyway, in honor of the new ORCA 1131 patch, I thought I'd show the scope and sequence of the reels (as erratic as it is) and maybe even find one or two to add to the collection.
I collect early 1131/1131A reels by serial numbers in each of the first ten thousands. If the hypothesis is true that serial numbers begin at 1000, then the #2530 on the far left would be very early. I would like to hear about any earlier reels especially in the 1000's. (It cannot have an A suffix.) The most noticeable features of the 1131 (not A) are the knurled rope ring around the headplate and the arched SB logo. The reels are not marked 1131 because the hope was that they would just become know as the Anti-back-lash reel. Second from the left is #3278, thirds is #4680. The second reel in the #4000 slot, #4097, is added because it belongs to the first 1131 box beside it. The serial number is marked on the box. Fourth from the end are #5611 and #5855 with ABL knob style differences. Fifth from the end is #6148 with the knurled rope and #6795 without it, a distinction found as we approach the transition period to the 1131A model. Sixth is #7416 without the rope. I'd really like to find an example in the #7000's with the rope detail. I'm sure there is one because so many parts were thrown together in the transition. The seventh reel, #8864, is the first I have that is stamped 1131A. I'm always looking for variations there also. The eighth slot has three reels in the 9000's. #9629 and #9766 have the early rope and arch logos (with slight ABL knob variation) while the #9159 does not have the rope and is marked 1131A. Next is #10258 that looks like the standard 1131A, but it has the foot of the 1131. The first reel in the case is one of two known 1131 lefties, #6535, and the other is an 1131A lefty, #26903. The 1131B, 1131T, and the #6567 (experiment from another company) are not shown. There are also reels with special order jewels and other variations too numerous for one picture. I just though I'd add some info for the the patch and see what may still be out there. Please email if you have something.
I have a Southbend in very good condition. Serial # is 40975 red jewels, original line. It was in my grandfather's tackle box with a BF MEEK #3 serial # 7505 also jeweled.
Just wondering if you are interested.
Ron, that's now the earliest 1131 known beating mine by 14 reels. I need one in the 1000's, however, if ever one is found. Bob, I'm good with reels with those later serials, and I do already have the Meek#3. I appreciate your response, and good luck with the reels. Jim
Jim - While my example isnot for sale I thought I would show it off. I bought it in Dec. 2006 at the same time I believe you bought a transition model. I think we even bought them from the same seller on ebay. The serial # on this one is 4845. It is in almost perfect condition except for a slight rub mark on the back plate.
The S/N of my 1131-A is 37015 and for the 1131-B it's 31580. The S/N of the "B" is lower than that of the "A".
I am new to the site and think it is great. I typically collect old wooden reels and lures, but I ran across a couple of reels which caught my attention. The first is relevant to this post a South Bend Anti Backlash Casting Reel Style 1131-B . The foot is stamped Pat Sept 5 05 Feb 5 07 Serial # 31320. It looks good, but is missing the counterweight on handle and one of the jewled spool nuts. What I noticed was different is that contrary to the reels in the pictures the two remaining jewels on secondef nut and clicker appear to look clear (white).
The second is an old Ted Williams 410 spinning reel/case/manuals in Excellent condition.
Ill see about posting some pics, let me know if anyone is interested.
r,
Chief C
Jim I have looked at very many of the 1131's and at one point called many collectors and wrote down the serial numbers of 1131's in there collections. I think I gave that list to Len Sawisch. I never saw one with a number under 2000 but several in the 2000's. Check with Eric Jeska about the serial number on his 1131 which was in his Grandfather's tackle box. (his grandfather was Wm Shakespeare) it is in the low 2000's as I recall when he brought it to my house some years ago. I have owned four 1131's and three were in the four and five thousands and one in the 6,000s
Had to get my 1131 out (the one I got from you in 2004), it is #4150 but unlike Ron's it does not say PATENTED on the tailplate and by then had the PAT'D information on the foot.
I remember Bill & Len's list, at one time I even added serial numbers to it as I saw them. The 1131B reels are clustered from about 30,000 to about 36,000, which I think puts them as produced in 1917. Len's original article was awesome (fall & winter, 2000 REEL NEWS) and what you have in your draft book is very well done also.
If an old retired Geezer in South Bend IND. would get going on the *&^&% book, many more folks could marvel at all of the work you have put into South Bend reel history!!
Jim,
I looked for many years before I found a nice early anti back-lash reel. At the 2000 Omaha, Neb. meet I finally found what I call a very outstanding reel in a leather case marked on the end in the football marking "Southbend Bait Company, Quality Tackle". Is this the case that this reel came in? The reel is beautiful and spins quietly for some time. While the serial # 5597 isn't one of the earliest I don't see anything much different about it. While I've never studied these reels I know I have a top quality reel and I enjoy it very much.
Warren Platt
Jim- I just read your very interesting research about the 1311's in the current issue of ORCA magazine. That brought me to this message board, and I saw Bill's post about my (Mr. Shakespeare's 1311). My reel is #3080 (I thought it was earlier too.)
In a letter that Ivar Hennings wrote to my grandfather to congratulate him on 50 years of business on May 27th 1947 he wrote: “Very clearly do I recall visiting you at Kalamazoo along about 1912, and how graciously you agreed to again start manufacturing reels for us and did so speedily to help us out. Also well do I recall a meeting in Cleveland a few years later when you informed the so-called, in those days, prominent fishing tackle manufacturers that our company was or would become a factor in this field.”
I think the important words in the letter are "graciously agreed" and "again start manufacturing". Why was he gracious? Probably because Hennings dropped Shakespeare for the other manufacturer, who apparently couldn't fulfill the contract and left South Bend in a bad spot. Hennings probably had to go begging back to Shakespeare to get the reels made. Shakespeare was building the new factory at that time. It would be interesting to know what manufacturers went out of business at that time. They might be the builders of the Mystery Reel.
