Horrocks Ibbotson 1947 inbound...private label Shakespeare 2062

[CincyDavid]

I had never even seen a picture of the 1947, stumbled on this one yesterday and snagged it. Now if I can locate a 1945 (2052) that isn't frightfully expensive we'll be all set. I don't believe there was ever a larger HI for saltwater, just the 1945 and 1947.

[jgp12000]

I found this on Orca & haven't verified it so you can David

"The Hi Models 1945 & 1947 were made by Shakespeare, which are the same as the Shakespeare 2052 & 2062. There was also a Model D and Model S made by Zangi of Italy which is a Delfino. A few were made by K.P. Morritts of England and 2 Models the 600 & 700 were made by Record in Switzerland. The US, Italian, & Swiss HI reels are the most collectible. The Shakespeare & Zangi reels are the hardest to find."

[CincyDavid]

James, I was also told that the Models D and S were not marked as HI, just retailed through their operation and labeled as Zangi.

[CincyDavid]

Apparently HI built some of their own spinning reels too, most notably the Model 1901, but I'm told they are nothing special. I seem to recall seeing a Model 1935 on the bay recently, made in Japan and a model 1938 that also looks 1960s Japanese production.

[CincyDavid]

I pulled up the 1968 HI catalog on ORCA and they had a really big group of spinning reels listed, many sure look Japanese, but the models 1945 and 1947 were also called "Thunderbird" in the catalog, although I don't think they are actually marked as such.