Shakespeare Tournament Reel Chronology

[Terry Battisti]

Hi All,

I am trying to get a grasp on the chronology of Shakespeare's Freshwater Tournament reels. Using the catalogs in the library as well as images from eBay, I have strated putting together a table that dates from 1912 through 1956. It lists the reel number, model, name, year, free spool or not, spool dia., pillar length, arbor dia., spool weight, reel weight, line capacity, catalog price, and then some notes. I have found some discrepancies in the data but since I don't have a lot of these reels, it's hard to know what is accurate and what isn't.

For example, from 1927 when Shakespeare introduced their narrow spool Tournament reel (22143) to 1932 with the 1744, they list pillar size as 1-1/16 inch. Then in 1934 they list the pillar length for the 1744 as 1-5/16 inch and from there on out the pillar length is stated as 1-5/16 inch for the 1740. I don't have an early 1744 to measure but my 1740s are all 1-5/16 inch, as stated above. That's just one example.

If any of you have the desire or time to look at this, please do so. If you see I've messed anything up or you have missing data, please let me know. Again, everything that is in the table was either pulled from the catalogs, from reels on eBay, or the few reels I have.

Thanks for any help.

[Eric J]

Terry- that is a great spreadsheet and database you’ve made! It underscores how many changes there were to just one reel model over the years.
Below is a breakdown of the 5-digit reels that may be of some use to you. One thing I’ve found it useful for is knowing if parts have been swapped. I’ve seen 1” reels for sale that had the headplate of a long pillar reel (probably swapped for cosmetic reasons) and since 1” reels bring a premium price it’s good to know what you’re paying for.

Shakespeare Company (this name was first used in 1915) circa 1915-1920’s (five digits on non-level wind reels)
First number is the diameter of the spool as follows:
1= 1-3/8”
2= 1-1/2”
3= 1-5/16”
4= 1-3/4”

Second and third numbers indicate the length of pillars in 16th’s of an inch as follows:
16= 16/16th’s or 1” (later indicates 40 YDS)
21= 21/16th’s or 1-5/16” (later indicates 60 YDS)
26= 26/16th’s or 1-5/8” (later indicates 80 YDS)
30= 30/16th’s or 1-7/8” (later indicates 100 YDS)

Fourth and fifth numbers are the reel model numbers:
21- Royal
22- Expert
23- Pilot
24- Crown
25- Triumph
26- Crescent
27- Vom Hoff’s Pat. (note the Shakespeare spelling is not the correct spelling of vom Hofe)
28- Marquette
33- Favorite
34/35- Treble Multiplying
36- Leader or Dollar
37- Uncle Sam
38- Universal
40- Criterion
41- Precision
42- Service
43- Tournament
45- Pioneer
46- Universal Precision
50- Intrinsic
51- Perfect
52- Standard
53- Std. Professional or Professional
54- Classic

The following level-wind reels have a four-digit code since they were only available in one size.
#19 which had been the original model number for the Marhoff reel, then 1964 because it was only available in the 64 100 yard size. #19 is now the number given to all level-winding reels using the Marhoff Patent (with the exception of the model number 1950 Beetzsel which had a different level-wind mechanism.)
1762- Style “B” (62 because it is 60 yds.)
1862- Style “A” (62 because it is 60 yds.)
1950- Beetzsel
1958- Triumph
1960- Criterion
1961- Superior
1962- Kalamazoo
1963- Ideal
1964- Marhoff
1965- Professional

Styles “B” and “A” level winding reels are eventually dropped from the line, since the Marhoff’s Patent level wind is clearly a better design and is even stated so in the catalogs. Most non-level winding reels are eventually phased out of production. With this new four-digit coding system, #17 indicates the Tournament reels and a few non-level winding reels, #18 indicates fly reels, and #19 indicates level winding-casting reels. The last two digits are the model number.
Of course, all this changes again in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s with the introduction of the closed face spinning reels which have model numbers beginning with 17 or 18, Push button WonderCast reels which begin with 17, and open face spinning reel model numbers beginning with 20.

[Terry Battisti]

Eric, thank you for that information. It cleared up a lot of questions I have. This is starting to make some sense to me.

A question for you. You mentioned 1-inch reels. Which 1-inch reels are you referring to? Is it spool dia or plate dia, or spool/pilar length?

Thanks again!

Terry

[Eric J]

The smallest had a 1-3/8” diameter and a 1” spool length. Cute little things! They were the 116XX numbers.

[Terry Battisti]

Damn, I didn't know about those reels. What years were they made? I need to find one!

[Terry Battisti]

The smallest had a 1-3/8” diameter and a 1” spool length. Cute little things! They were the 116XX numbers.

Okay, I found them starting in the 1910 catalog as part of the Take-Down reels. They had Take-Down reels before that but their number system must have changed in 1910. So, were these reels used in casting events?

[Eric J]

One of my early catalogs (1917 I think) says that all models are available in all 16 sizes, and these are the 5 digit model numbers. I’ve only seen one of the 116xx reels (I don’t remember what model it was) and there probably weren’t many made. I doubt the smallest were for tournament work because 40 yards isn’t that great of a cast.

[castmaster54]

The small reels could be used for accuracy events.George

[kyreels]

Especially in the earlier years (1900-1910), the smaller 40 and 60 yard reels were used in tournaments, including the Standard, Professional, and Intrinsic. The question of what reels were used for tournaments and what reels were specifically made for tournaments are two different questions. Since the accuracy tournament rules called for 5 hoops at 40 to 80 feet, with the last target no less than 70 feet, all Shakespeare reels could have been used for tournament casting. It is clear that the early reels especially were not specifically made just for tournaments. Shakespeare was heavily promoting them for tournaments however. They were a good inexpensive reel of the time compared to the Talbots and Meeks.

I have collaborated with ORCA members and tournament casters over a period of approximately 40 years in seeking to understand better the earlier reels. Some of the information is lost, but we can examine the reels we find in tournament estates to see how they were used. ORCA member Jim Sheek had been a leader in uncovering Shakespeare reels used for tournament casting, and at one time had the most extensive collection of the different small reel sizes. Many had typical tournament modifications. I believe my book Tournament Casting Tackle covers most all of the reels used for tournament casting that we have been able to document with some degree of certainty. It does not include all the possible sizes, as the above excellent chart begins to show.

Shakespeare reels with larger capacity are found with wooden or cork arbors to cut down on the amount of line needed to cast to the 80 foot distance. Even a 40 yard reel can cast to 120 feet, and could be equipped with a cork arbor, but more frequently the 60 yard reel is found by tournament casters. Of course, these early reels had steel spools, and were not as good for accuracy as the aluminum spool, which Shakespeare lacked in the early years. Meanwhile, Talbot, Meek, Redifor and other early reels quickly came to use aluminum spools, which due to lower intertia cam to dominate accuracy (and distance) casting. When Shakespeare introduced the 23043 Tournament reel in 1912, they were bringing a reel that would catch up to the tournament world, and I would think that most usage of steel spool reels would greatly diminish.

[Terry Battisti]

Matt, I love your book. I've had it now for a couple months and I've read it fully twice. There hasn't been a day when I haven't picked it up and read some section of it.