Shapespeare Miller Autocrat

[scratch]

I have a Shakespeare Miller Autocrat that's been in the family for years. I'm thinking about selling it, but have no idea how to grade it. The reel is used, but appears to me to be in excellent condition, certainly usable, it's still in the original felt lined box.

When I say usable I mean it. I'm an offshore fishing Capt on the NC coast and have kicked around the idea of catching a Tuna on it, just to say I did. I'm not actually going to do it, but have no doubt I could.

The box is a little rough, the hinges are rusty, but it's intact, including the latch and the green felt inside is in good shape. The reel only has a couple very minor scratches on it that could easily be buffed out. Again, I'm not going to do it.

Any info on this reel would be appreciated. It's a 6/0

[Brian F.]

That's a great reel you have there and I agree that it could handle a tuna. I couldn't get more specific with a grade without looking at it in more detail but it does look very nice. I would leave everything as is and not polish or (definitely) not buff it. As a reference, this 6/0 went for $600 + on ebay recently, but it also had some instruction papers and a bag.

[Old Clare]

Hi Scratch !
Thats a great reel. I can't make out the number on the box, but there were only four models of these made. #2240 HE 4/0 - #2240 HF 4/0
#2260 HE 6/0 and #2260 HF. They were made in 1935 and 1936 only.
I have a 6/0 HF in excellent cond. w/o a box or papers. When I bought it about 10 years ago it had a frozen ball bearing which I replaced with a new one. I can't remember how many bearings it has but 2 or 3 anyway.
It took me a little while to learn how to drive it, but they are a fine, rare reel. Enjoy it.

[Harvey]

I will agree with the others, you have a nice combo there. With the design of the free spool being as it is, be carefull if you attemp to fish it. A few birdnests will be in order till you learn how to set the drag. Take it from me, i had to re-spool mine a couple times till I got it right. Aftre that, GREAT REEL. Mike Goff put on a siminar about them in Columbia and showed how easy it was to do it incorrectly while how easy it is to do right.
As for production of them, Miller made more sizes that the 4/0 and the 6/0. The ones that OLD CLARE list is what Shakespeare sold. They were also in the Shakespeare catalogues till at least 1940 and maybe 1941. (without looking) I believe I have read somewhere that they were also made after the war and sold by Miller. Ed Prichard also has some more sizes and different models in his collection. Thanks for the look-see of yours. the good ones in the boxes are not that common.
Harvey

[scratch]

Old Clare, it's the #2260 HF, the numbers are on a little plate on the side of the reel. This one doesn't have any apparent frozen parts, everything seems to be in working order. It even has some old dacron line on it. The label on the box says it's suitable for 9 strand Cuttyhunk and gives the capacity as 600 yds.

I have an old first edition book by Zane Grey called "Tails of Fishes", in it there's tons of photos of Grey and his fishing gear. Evidently he used his thumb as the drag, I guess the Autocrat is a step up in the evolution of reels, although not necessarily the next up from the thumb. Pretty good idea to use tension on the shaft as a brake instead of meat off your thumb. I'm sure a thumb guard was necessary when using the Autocrat anyway. If the handle ever slipped from your grip there had to be some way to slow it down so you could get it under control, thus the leather thumb guard. Otherwise the aroma of roasting meat would fill the cockpit.

Don't laugh, I've seen and smelled it. Back in the 60s and early 70s we mostly used Penn Senators and Ocean Citys for Marlin fishing, nobody could afford Fin Nors, very few could afford Internationals, if they even existed then. More than once I witnessed people trying to thumb the line while dropping a big squid back to a Blue Marlin, only to have their thumb jam under the top crossbar, producing a cloud of smoke and the delicate aroma of barbeque. The resulting blister would be spectacular.

No doubt this was a common occurance with anglers using reels like the autocrat. Executing a successful and painless catch with the Autocrat was probably something of an accomplishment in itself, no matter the size or species of the fish involved.

[john elder]

well, not only is the reel a keeper, but that book, as well! You have a great start at becoming as sick as the rest of us If you want to avoid such an awful fate, figure out what you want for your stuff and post it and I'm guessing you'll be able to soon part with it!

[Harvey]

Quite contare on the need of a thumb with a Miller. That was the advantage of owning one. To free spool, just back up the handle up. To adjust the MAX amount of drag, you set the "Micro" adjustment on the handle. (That was an add-on by the way) While fighting the fish, if you wanted less drag than your setting, just back the handle up a little. And when I say little, that is what I mean. If you back it up too much, you go back into freespool. When you need more drag, just start cranking forward again and you will return to the original setting. Believe me, they are a pleasure to fish with once you get the hang of it. I have a couple in my collection and another 6/0 that I used for Dolphin, sails, Tuna and such. I might add that there also some that were made green in both sizes.I don't have one of those but have seen them. Enjoy your GREAT reel.
"H"

[Old Clare]

Like I said - - it took me a while to learn how to drive the reel. Mine didn't come with instructions. In taking it apart to replace the bearing, I learned or guessed at the functions of the parts. Mine has a different drag adjustment that your picture. I have a toothed knob that engaged a spring loaded cog. You press down the cog and rotate the knob and re-engage the cog at the new setting.
As for the Zane Grey book -- yes, it is a keeper. I have three of his fishing books in the Grosset & Dunlap editions. Great reads and I am always on the lookout for more of the seven or so that he wrote.

[Harvey]

I am sorry OC. I thought you had one with the micro adjustment. Yea, Mine have the same design that yours has. The micro thingy I mentioned does the same thing, just a fine tuneing way of doing it. I can post a picture of the catalogue entrie if you like.
"H"

[scratch]

Thanks for the info on using the reel guys. Having no instructions and doing nothing but looking at it I kind of figured you set the drag for whatever you wanted and then after that you just dealt with it. Having no anti-reverse, that I can see, I figured you just hung on to the handle when the fish made a run and if it ever got away from you it became a knuckle buster until you got things under control via the thumb.

I can see that if I ever decide to use it I better do some studying up first. Guess I've gotten to depending too much on Fin-Nors and Tiagras, maybe need to get back to basics so I can truly appreciate what anglers dealt with 75 and 100 years ago.

[SWIM JIG]

cool-thumb jump jump yay-banana usa Scratch, if your reel is as nice as you say, then Call (Frank Rybarcyk, days (1-800 - 433-9840) evenings 1-440-458-4134) All he colects is Shakesper Items and has several of the Miller Autocratts new and in the boxes as well as new no boxes, He is member of NFLCC and by now I hope a member of ORCA, all he colects is Shakespere Items and top of the line all in a climatic Controled musium (personal) old Harvy lost out on a Shakespere Ball Bat a few years ago in florida! Frank is a fantastic person and enjoys Shakespere itemsHe lives in OHIO , Elyria < he also has about one of every Shakespere lure new in the boxes! again its worth your time to contact him, its a tool free call! Your ohio Conection on lake ERIE Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG