Help with level winds

clinton_beeler · Post by **clinton_beeler** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:52 am

I just got this box with 52 level winds in it and I don't know anything about level winds. There are five reels here that I'd like to ask about. I'm mainly interested in when they were made and where (etc.).

First is a Pflueger Summit No. 1993L. When were these made? It's got mono on it. Should I remove it? I have never seen this much engraving on a reel. Now I know why people collect these things!

Second is a 60 yard reel marked "Schmelzer's "Ideal"". The crank knob caught my eye because it's made of a natural material (bone, ivory, etc.).
Parts of it look hand worked. The finish looks more like nickel-silver than chrome.

Third is a Shakespear Imperial 1957. It has a strange weight attached to the center of the crank handle. I asked father how that was supposed to help and he replied "maybe it didn't".

Fourth is a reel that looks just like a South Bend. In fact it's probably a branded South Bend. It's marked "Firestone" with the tire company's logo. Under the name it says "No. S-5642-1". Could this have been a promotional piece?

Last is a "Symploreel" No. 257. It says Stanton St., Newark N.J. and has pat. Aug. 20-'24 others pending. It also has a spring loaded bar that serves as an anti-backlash device that looks original to the reel.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Regards,
Clinton

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:28 am

Clinton: My interests might help you with your Symploreel #257. This reel was designed and manufactured by Pliny Catucci in his Meisselbach-Catucci factory from 1924-32 when the company was sold to Bronson Reel Co. They then manufactured the reel unchanged (even with the Newark address for a while) from 1932 until the mid-30s. This is a good quality reel that is sought after by collectors due to the imposing looking gadgets on it.
The Schmelzer reel sounds like a Montague manufactured reel. These reels were made in Brooklyn NY.

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:41 pm

The Imperial was made somewhere between 1932 and 1942 depending on the model number. The attachment may be a "Kant-Lash" and I doubt if it helps also. The Firestone reel was made by Shakespeare (so are almost all South Bend Reels) and is more than likely from the 50's. It is he same reels as the Kalamazoo Tackle Company "Bal-Cli #20" also. Hope this helps a little.
Harvey

clinton_beeler · Post by **clinton_beeler** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 10:26 am

Mr. Geezer,

Thanks for the info. When I look at the Symploreel I see a very different manufacturing process from that of the other level winds. I can have the spool out of it in about 3 seconds. I wish it were in better shape.

Harvey,

You da man! After I read your post I went back and looked at the reel more carefully. I needed a magnifying glass, but on the weight it says "Kant-Lash". I had thought Imperial 1957 to be the model but I found that under some dirt at the bottom of the face. It's a model GJ. I noticed that it says "Made in USA" on it and I have a Shakespear "Speedex" fly reel that says "England". (hmmm)

Still waiting with baited breath to hear about the Pflueger. Got the line off (all four kinds) and it's cleaning up nicely.

Thanks again,
Clinton

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 4:36 pm

Clinton,
The Model "GJ"as the last model made before the war. Production dates were from 1/9/41 till 7/31/42 and was not picked up after production started again in 1946. The reason you have a Shakespeare reel marked "Made in England" is because in 1965, Shakespeare bought and combined S. Allcock Co., J.W. Young & Sons LTD, M. Lee & Sons and Top Tackle LTD to form Shakespeare/Noris, Redditch England and produced a tackle line marked as such.
Good luck on the "Fluger". I am sure someone will answer your questions.
harvey