Early SHAKESPEARE Professional with Aluminum Spacer Question

[scottorock]

Ive had this reel for quite sometime and always wondered about the aluminum tail plate spacer. It fits perfectly and doesnt appear to be bench made from the outside (I havent broken the reel down yet). Has anyone else own/seen a Shake reel with this type of spacer? I havent found any information from catalogs or the internet. Your thoughts? Professionally made after market replacement? Factory made? Skilled machinist? Thanks!