Hey, Harvey..found a keeper!

[john elder]

I may have to take back all those things I said about Shakespeare! What a sweet little reel! Tiny...1.75 in wide x 2 in diameter, with free spool...fellow must have just threatened to go tournament casting as this one is pretty minty! box indicates that it holds 100 yds of 4 lb! Is this the right box for this fellow? Seems all complete and original, including all paperwork and bag, but with that wood arbor (appr. 1 1/8 in diameter) and tiny spool, looks more like it would hold about 30 yd!

[Warren Platt]

John,
The 1740 must have been a great little reel for tournament casting. Many of the local tournament casters here in Kansas City used them for the Accuracy events during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Even more used the green Sportcast with nylon gears. Don't worry about the 1740 not holding enough 4 lb. line. Fill it up and let her fly, if you cast to the end of the line I want to enter you in some casting events!

[Harvey]

Yep! You got GOOD taste! Those are the class of stock tournament reels.
I have had a bunch over the years and have enjoyed each and every one.
Here is the page from the 1936 catalogue so you know what you have.
I like the part about the weight! 5 and 37/100 of an ounce. (?)
Enjoy.
"H"

[Robyn Summerlin]

Beautiful reel, John. If it's a model FK you have a correct box, I'd say. I bought one from Carl S in Lansing a few years ago still wrapped in the factory tissue and with an extra spool for a quick changeout by the professional when the balsa arbor gets wet and swells.

My model HE 1740 has tiny holes (presumably after market) drilled in the end caps, I suppose for quick lubrication during a tournament. Has anyone else seen this modification on a contest reel?
Robyn

[john elder]

Harvey: Thanks for the info...Warren...I could cast the reel that far, but the line would still be on it! Robyn...yes, it is an FK...re the hole for oiling, the little manual that came with it indicated you might get with or without, so probably didn't need to modify it...Harvey can likely tell us if you specified in ordering or whether it was based on the model...the manual is likely for more than the FK.

[Harvey]

Guys,
I have never seen a brochure for this reel. so I don't know about the holes in the end caps. They just made two diffrent models of it. A "HE" which first appeared in the 1936 catalogue and that model stayed the same till 7/31/41 when all reel production stopped because of the war.
It did reappear in the 1951 catalogue and was listed till 1958 as model "FK". In the earlier catalogues, they do list a lightweight, shorter handle for no charge. The length is 1 3/32 from center of the knobs. I don't know what the standard length is because the one I have has a small tournament counterbalnced knob. Also, someone told me one time that the model "FK" has nylon gears. I don't know if this is true because I have never taken one apart nor is it stated in the catalogues.
Also, as for the holes in the spools, mine plus others I have seen have bits of wire driven into the balsa to balance them.
(?)
"H"

[john elder]

The manual that came with this reel is a generic that could cover about any shakes reel of the time. the pic shows a levelwind reel. A card is included re the 1740, which just tells how to put it in and out of free spool and also reminds to oil on a regular basis. I haven't broken down the reel yet...took very little to clean it and I just lubed from the outside. I'll get brave and report in, if no one has the answer for sure.

[cws/carl schultz]

THE STANDARD HANDLE ON THE 1740 IS THE SMALL ALUM DOUBLE WITH LIGHT GREEN KNOBS THEY ALSO SHOW UP ON THE NARROW SPOOL SPORT CAST REELS THE 1744 HAS THE SAME STYLE BUT CREAM COLORED KNOBS I BELIEVE THESE WERE USED IN DISTANCE CASTING ALSO WITH SOME OF SPIDER WEB DISTANCE LINE LOOK OUT---- CARL

[joe klaus]

Hi Robyn:

I kind of collect Shakespeare tournaments and have about 15 or so. But I've never seen one with tiny holes drilled in the end caps. As you say, it was likely after-market and custom for the guy that owned it.

But sounds like a pretty good idea.

[Robyn Summerlin]

Thanks, Joe. I suspected as much since I'd not seen it on any other reel.

I'm always looking to add to my collection of Tournaments but some heavy-hitter named Shoalwater always beats me out!
Robyn

[john elder]

robyn: If those are simply holes in the caps, then I think you and Joe are on the money. The ones described in the shakes brochure take the "pressure" applicator...I would assume that they have some sort of spring door to keep the dead birds out when not adding oil.