I recently received this beauty, I'm a happy camper:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202244_1.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202244_1.jpg.html)
pics don't do this one justice, the reel is gorgeous
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202310_1.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202310_1.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202320_1.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202320_1.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202351.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202351.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202410.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202410.jpg.html)
These are extremely hard to find, you might run into one, but I'm sure it won't be in this condition.
The reel goes nicely with my Fenwick
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202614_1.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_202614_1.jpg.html)
It came from the same gentleman that sold me the Fenwick, age is creeping up on him and he doesn't get out as much as he used to.
He did not want to part with this reel, but after a few conversations, he decided to let me have it.
Hope you enjoy it!
Sal
I'm sure you feel like a kid in a candy store Sal.
Very Nice. ;)
Shiny! What year is it? ;)
I'm a bit baffled... how can a spincast reel be a "levelwind"? ???
~A~
Nice 8)
So there's no push button, how does it work?
Marc..
It looks brand new! Very nice!
Nice Sal. My Uncle Richard gave me one of those when I was a youngin' I believe they came out in the 1960's ? but maybe they had something similar in the 1950's. Very Nice
BT
Quote from: Marcq on March 24, 2016, 01:20:14 AM
Nice 8)
So there's no push button, how does it work?
Marc..
If I remember correctly you wind the handle backwards until it stops and that then releases the line pick up for casting and reeling forward then engages a line pick up to wind in ? Been a long time.
BT
Quote from: Big Tim on March 24, 2016, 01:38:06 AM
Quote from: Marcq on March 24, 2016, 01:20:14 AM
Nice 8)
So there's no push button, how does it work?
Marc..
If I remember correctly you wind the handle backwards until it stops and that then releases the line pick up for casting and reeling forward then engages a line pick up to wind in ? Been a long time.
BT
I guess you hold the line with your finger and release it like a spinner?
Marc..
Quote from: Marcq on March 24, 2016, 01:49:02 AM
Quote from: Big Tim on March 24, 2016, 01:38:06 AM
Quote from: Marcq on March 24, 2016, 01:20:14 AM
Nice 8)
So there's no push button, how does it work?
Marc..
If I remember correctly you wind the handle backwards until it stops and that then releases the line pick up for casting and reeling forward then engages a line pick up to wind in ? Been a long time.
BT
I guess you hold the line with your finger and release it like a spinner?
Marc..
If I'm correct in the operation then yes you hold the line like a spinning reel
Yup! you guys are correct, the advertisement state it's so easy to cast, you could do it blindfold.
You reel in the line, hold it as you would your spinning reel, back the handle until it stops, usually less than a full revolution and off you go.
Tim, your guestimate on age appears to be spot on, the patent on this reel was issued in 1950.
Sal
Sal I can't remember what I did yesterday but can remember 1969 ? Go figure. Nice reel
BT
The age can be determined acurately by using this table --
There will be a two letter code on the side of the reel body --
Shakespeare Reel Series Dating Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
K J H G F E D C B A
V U T S R Q P N M L
Great historical example...
Best,
Fred
Fred, very interesting... thank you!
The two letters are FC, so it makes it from 1958.
Again, very close Tim, good job ;)
Sal the earliest ads listed for this reel that I can find is 1958, so you may have the first year of production? Very cool
BT
Great piece of history you have there Sal. I found the following regarding this reel on ORCA..
"
Shakespeare made that style reel for about 50 years in various models. It's kind of a niche reel that has fans in isolated areas of the country. Here in MI it's popular with steelheaders on long, whippy rods with light line.
It requires a rod with a different grip/seat configuration than a standard spinning rod because there's not enough space between the reel and the rod for your fingers. One grips the rod ahead of the reel, thus, the reel seat must be placed farther back on the grip. Picture a spinning rod with the longer cork toward the tip and the shorter cork toward the butt, or a rod with a sliding reel seat that can be positioned anywhere along a long smooth cork grip.
Personally, I prefer them over a spinning reel... less to get line tangled on and you don't even have to look at the reel to cast, which was one of Shakespeare's advertising points.
A Tennessee type cork handle with slip rings works good, too. I always thought the brake adjustment by tightening the spool housing was an interesting, to say the least, idea. I'd think that adjustment scenario would take awhile to get used to. I suppose, like anything else, though, eventually it becomes automatic.
"
There are also some great articles regarding these early Shakespeare reels in some of the Reel News articles (I think from the early/mid 2000s, if memory serves me correctly.
I attached a photo from ORCA Reel News V1, No.02. (April 1991).
There are also relevent articles in the following Reel News issues...
-Spring 2000
*-August 2001
*-October 2001
-January 2002
-September 2002
-March 2002
*-November 2005
Also, for more information on these early spinning reels, consider Ben Wright's book, or check out his blog.
http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/?m=1
Do you have to pinch the line between forefinger and the cork grip to hold it before release? Might work well for very light weights.
-steve
Thanks guys!
john, great information, thank you. I love this little reel, you just don't see that kind of craftsmanship on today's reels. These, along with many others are often ignored, it is nice to grab one every once in a while and hold it in your hands.
Steve, no pinching the line, it is the same principal as most spinning reel, hold the line with your index finger and let it go. It is a great design, functional and very easy to use.
Sal
Sorry, I'm a little slow Sal and still don't get it. When preparing to cast an open-face spinner you hold the line as it comes off the side of the spool. With a closed face-spinner the line can only come off the front of the spool. Any chance we could see it with the spool cover removed?
I really like that adjustable reel seat too. Wish they still made those.
-steve
I think the reel is meant to be fished under the rod and behind your hand so the line comes out where your index finger is like a spinner
Marc..
Quote from: Marcq on March 25, 2016, 01:12:54 AM
I think the reel is meant to be fished under the rod and behind your hand so the line comes out where your index finger is like a spinner
Marc..
That is correct Marc, I'm thinking you have one of these :)
Sal
Quote from: Alto Mare on March 25, 2016, 01:27:53 AM
Quote from: Marcq on March 25, 2016, 01:12:54 AM
I think the reel is meant to be fished under the rod and behind your hand so the line comes out where your index finger is like a spinner
Marc..
That is correct Marc, I'm thinking you have one of these :)
Sal
No I don't , but it reminds me of the ones that are mounted on the rod the same way but the reel as like a trigger in front of it,I think they still make them
Marc..
like this
http://www.zebco.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Choosing_Triggerspin_Reel2.png
Marc..
I'm not only slow, I'm a pest. Can't let this go until I understand....
On a modern spincast there is a button or a trigger. When the button/trigger is fully depressed, the rotor moves forward and pinches the line between the edge of the rotor and the inside of the spool cover. At the same time, the pen that serves the same function as a bail retracts into the rotor. When casting, the button/trigger is released, the rotor moves backward, and the line is released. Releasing the button/trigger is like removing your thumb from a conventional reel or releasing the line from your index finger on an open face spinning reel). When the handle is turned the pen (bail) pops back out of the rotor to catch the line and wind it in.
On the 1870, the handle is turned backward to do something. It probably retracts the pen/bail. You have the line tucked under the index finger like you would with an open face spinning reel. But how is the line held in place (pinched in place) so it does not play off the spool while it is tucked under the index finger?
Just curious.
-steve
Steve, ask as many questions as you want, it's never a problem here.
I will show a couple of additional pics, that should clear it up.
You do hold the line against the rod when moving the handle backwards, or pinch it using your thumb
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160323_215156.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160323_215156.jpg.html)
Yes, there is a pin on the spool, it wouldn't work without it.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160325_055403.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160325_055403.jpg.html)
Here it the pin retracted, when the handle is moved backwards
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160325_055549.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160325_055549.jpg.html)
and back out when the handle is moved forward
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/shakespeare%201870/20160325_055400.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/shakespeare%201870/20160325_055400.jpg.html)
It sounds complicated, it is actually very easy to work with...great design.
Sal
You can tell it's well made
Marc..
Thank you so much for taking the time to do that Sal. I get it now; pinch the line to hold it. There's a model 1756 up for auction in case you want to expand the collection.
-steve
Sal...I thought you might get a kick out of my WonderCast 1776. That stainless steel ring around the spool cover is the drag control, and it works surprisingly well. It's mounted on a very clean WonderRod from the same era...and I've caught some pretty nice bass on that combo. The one on the bottom is an earlier model 1920 Wondereel on an old True Temper steel rod. 8)
(http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb470/mo655/NAFC%20and%20O-F%20album/P8130002-1.jpg) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/mo655/media/NAFC%20and%20O-F%20album/P8130002-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb470/mo655/NAFC%20and%20O-F%20album/P8130003-1.jpg) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/mo655/media/NAFC%20and%20O-F%20album/P8130003-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb470/mo655/P3050001.jpg) (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/mo655/media/P3050001.jpg.html)
Beautiful rods and reels Mo, thanks for sharing. I love the oldies.