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Pflueger Medalist Reels - A History By Richard Komar (Originally published on Tim Mullican's Fly Reels Online) |
1929-1936The 1931 catalog listed the "MEDALIST." The reel appears to be the one C.T. Pflueger applied for a patent on Oct. 27, 1928 and was granted on Sept. 9, 1930 as Patent Number D81995.1930s-40s era Pflueger Medalists In 1931, the models were as follows:
1937The 1396, 1592 and 1596 were dropped. The reels included the change to a spool arbor, which could be weighted. That was patent number 2,018,468, granted Oct. 22, 1935.The models were as follows:
1938 This year, the Medalist underwent a few more changes. The main one was the adjustable drag under Patent number 2,059,763. The dual click patent was awarded patent number 2,059,765. The models were as follows:
1939 The Medalist line gained a wide frame model, the 1495 ½. The ½ models were 1" wide versus the standard 13/16" wide models. The models were as follows:
1940 - 1949 The 1496 1/2 and 1494 1/2 were offered. The 1496 was dropped. The models were as follows:
19521950s era Pflueger Medalists
- Model #, "Patented" stamped on the reel body below the foot* - Steel spindle - Rectangular metal Diamolite line guard - 6 rivets around spool latch cover - Ivory colored plastic handle - Ivory plastic spool latch cover - Ivory plastic drag knob - Straight cross pillars, screwed to frame, except 1492
The reel foot is now tapered rather than having straight sides. The models were as follows:
1958 The 1498 is added. The 1496 ½., 1496, 1392 and 1394 are discontinued. The models were as follows:
1959The 1594 and 1595 were discontinued with the availability of a left-hand conversion ratchet, part number 3933. This was supposed to fit any Medalists except for the 1492, which was a click drag.The reel body now has the stamp, "Made in Akron O USA," versus just "Patented." The models were as follows:
1961-621960s era (pre-1966) Pflueger Medalists
- Model #, "Made in Akron O USA" stamped on the reel body below the foot - Rectangular metal Diamolite line guard - 3 rivets around spool latch cover - Ivory colored plastic handle - Ivory colored plastic spool latch cover - Ivory colored plastic drag knob - Straight cross pillars, screwed to frame, except 1492
1963Another change in the ratchet occurred; it was made so it could be flipped over and used for right or left hand wind.The models were as follows:
1966The Enterprise Manufacturing Company officially changed its name to Pflueger. Shakespeare Tackle Company acquired Pflueger and manufactured the reels in Akron, Ohio, from 1966-69. The letters DA were added after the model numbers.
1970 Pflueger made the Madison Model 4/5, 6/7, 8, and 9 fly reel under the Orvis label. Medalists were now made in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
1972 The Pflueger name, model# DA, Made in USA was now on the frame. The 1" wide 1494 ½ joins the line up. The models were as follows:
1973-74 The 1" wide model 1492 ½ joins the line up. The models were as follows:
1979Production moved overseas to China, Japan and Hong Kong, Shakespeare Medalists had the reel foot assembly crimped and the contours of the foot were coarser and less refined. The letters CJ (Japan) and AK (Hong Kong, China) appeared after the model numbers. The reel foot had the words Japan, China or Hong Kong inscribed in it. The words "Pflueger Medalist" and/or "Shakespeare" appeared on the spool latch cover.
1990sW. S. Franke Custom Fishing Rods, North Conway, NH, introduced the 1-Pfoot reel foot replacement for older Medalist reel feet with screws which allowed for use on more modern rods. Uses 4 screws for attachment. Reels with riveted feet could accept the 1-Pfoot if the rivets lined up with the holes on the 1-Pfoot and the rivets were removed to accept the screws. After the 1-Pfoot was discontinued, Shakespeare introduced a Chinese reel foot replacement. Current models include the 1492, 1492 1/2, 1494, 1494 1/2, 1495, 1495 1/2 and the 1498, but also include the 1500's with "Rim-Control."References:
2) Shakespeare Company Website 3) Antique Fly Reels by DB Homel 4) Classic and Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle - A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by AJ Campbell 5) Orvis vintage catalogs 6) John Minnerath Pflueger data spreadsheet ~ Richard Komar
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