I know that the Medalist series is a true classic/vintage fly reel, but I don't know what competition Pfleuger had at its price/quality level. Can you
experts give me some information? I have on good authority that a 1494 or 1495 would make a good match for a 8'6" 5/6wt unsigned DeBell/Phillipson,
and it seems like South Bends would be below the rod's quality level, and Hardys would be above. So, what other reels would have been seen on such a rod?
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what was the competition for vintage Medalist reels?
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 KevinP |
what was the competition for vintage Medalist reels? |
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Posts: 2 06/24/2009 18:01 |
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turtledoc |
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Posts: 2704 06/24/2009 18:16 Moderator |
I am not certain, but I would guess the early Heddon Imperial 125s would have been in a similar price point and would have been an option for an angler in the
very late 20s through the 30s.
Here is a photo of a pair of Heddon 125As (agate line-guide) from teh very late 20s to early 30s, a 125C (chromium guide) 1930s, and a 125R (roller guide) 1930s Mark B 
Something to consider: Be willing to share photos, information and the knowledge you have about your collection with anyone that has an interest in learning...........also share your knowledge to answer questions that others may have about items in their collections.........doing this will make you feel good and benefits this community ..................after all, what good is having knowledge that isn't shared. MEB |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 7289 06/25/2009 10:28 Bulldog1935 |
The Shakespeare Russells from '28-'34 were even more direct competition for the Medalist (reminds me I need to photograph two Russells)
Here is an equivalent Heddon Little Rivers, and Mark will follow through with some more nice photos.  
wonderful click-pawl on this reel, with separate adjustments for wind and pay tension (not to be confused with the 1935-forward versions, which were made into the 60s and econtinued as the H-I Sportcraft after Shakespeare discontinued the Russell)  
The drum arbor appeared first on the Russells, and was copied by Pflueger. Knowing something of the history between Pflueger and Shakespeare, this almost certainly ended up in a lawsuit, as they remained in patent court until Shakespeare ultimately bought Pflueger.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Last Edited By: bulldog1935 06/25/2009 10:36.
Edited 2 times.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 7290 06/25/2009 10:39 Bulldog1935 |
here is the Russell drag after 1935, on a 50s-vintage Kalamazoo Emperor
it works, but with a dirth of the elegance found in the earlier reel 
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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 tedgolden |
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Posts: 2902 06/25/2009 13:47 Moderator |
So, what other reels would have been seen on such a rod?
I gather you are trying to find some kind of cosmic socio-economically appropriate reel for this rod. Don't overlook Hardy. They made some downscale reels. The Hydra and the Viscount come to mind as does the 50's version of the Uniqua. J W Young was active in the market Hardy neglected. This nice Valdex, for example, sold for less than 3 Pounds. Perhaps a bit avant gard, but would look good on your Debell. At the other extreme, Bristol Manufacturing made countless fly reels for the common man . A #65 would be contemporary and rugged. Most have some paint loss, but heck, they sold for about a buck and a half.   - 
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dennis.fiberglassflyro... |
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Posts: 187 06/25/2009 15:02 |
Also, other Pflueger reels, like the Gem 2094. Dennis
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2 Bead Pupa |
And nobodys mentioned the ... | #6 | ||
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Posts: 293 06/25/2009 15:14 |
... Ocean City reels. Thats probably due to better reels available ( Oh, ther're OK I guess ).
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KevinP |
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Posts: 4 06/25/2009 15:14 |
Thanks all, you guys are awesome! And TedGolden--that's exactly what I was getting at, a "cosmically socio-economically appropriate" reel. To me,
it would be a little unbalanced to have a $700 reel on a $15 stick (in today's dollars), though I'm sure that somewhere, someone is probably fishing a
Tibor reel on a modern Eagle Claw Featherlight...
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tedgolden |
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Posts: 2903 06/25/2009 15:31 Moderator |
I understand. I kinda do the same thing. That said, I'd go for the medalist. They were so far in first place that no one was in second place.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 7294 06/25/2009 22:10 Bulldog1935 |
Meisselbach-Catucci Smyploreel
  
great dual-adjustable click-pawl on these bakelite reels
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 7295 06/25/2009 23:57 Bulldog1935 |
here is a page of 50s reels from the '51 Wards catalog
 
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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turtledoc |
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Posts: 2705 06/26/2009 11:09 Moderator |
A couple pics of early Russells which I agree with Ron, would have been competition with the Medalists (and IMHO these Russell's are better reels).
Mark B Pair of 1892s...oe with chromium guide and one with agate: 
VERY early Model 1896 with agate:
Something to consider: Be willing to share photos, information and the knowledge you have about your collection with anyone that has an interest in learning...........also share your knowledge to answer questions that others may have about items in their collections.........doing this will make you feel good and benefits this community ..................after all, what good is having knowledge that isn't shared. MEB |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 7298 06/26/2009 11:39 Bulldog1935 |
I agree with you there, Mark, the the first version Russell has one of the best click-pawl designs ever - much better than the Medalist.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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