Shakespeare Sportcast 1973D Question

[Wayne B.]

I have two green direct drive 1973’s. One has 1973 stamped on it, the other has 1973D. Identical reels and same date code (FK). Any significance to this? Why two numbers for the same reel? Third pic is a round 1973 Sportcast (GE).

[colby sorrells]

The 1973 should be the designation for a round reel which is not a direct drive model. The 1973D is for the tear drop shaped reel which is a direct drive model. I'm no expert here but you may have a mis-stamped model. Maybe one of the Shakespeare gurus can chime in. Fun stuff. Colby

[wrong99]

Yes, it appears to be mis-marked, for sure. Interesting. Maybe built on a Monday?
Mark

[john elder]

Hmmmm...wonder if that "D" has anything to do with the drag handle that sharkpro just posted about? His is a "D" model.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17869

[wrong99]

I always assumed the "D" was for "Direct Drive".
Mark

[scottorock]

Yeah, "D" was for Direct Drive. Most Direct Drive reels came with the "slimmer" crank nut. Reels that came with the TYBO were usually given the "S" for "slip clutch". The boxes were marked with the "S"...never seen a reel marked with an "S".

[Wayne B.]

Was the Shakespeare "Slip Clutch" handle sold as an accessory like the Pflueger Cub Handle? Or just come installed on some reels?

[scottorock]

Yes and yes! lol. They came installed on reels with the "S" marked boxes...ex 1924S. And they were available as an accessory for Direct Drive reels. The TyBo crank that came on South Bend reels didn't have the disc marked "Shakespeare". Those discs were plain/unmarked.

[Wayne B.]

Another 1973 "no D" reel on ebay. I guess it is not too uncommon!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-SHAKESP ... 2061178127?

[colby sorrells]

Got to be a story there. Come on Shakespeare Guys. What's the story? I've checked the catalogs I have but nothing there so far. Colby

[Bill Sonnett]

I do know that the first year the tear-drop shaped 1973 reel was offered it came with an installed balsa wood arbor and the following year started its run with the snap-on plastic arbor. The 1973's that I have looked at with balsa arbors do not have the D at the end of 1973. My guess is that these are the first teardrop-shaped 1973's and the the number drifted over into the following year with the first of the plastic arbor reels before being changed to 1973D for the remainder of production.