Collecting question

[Chuck750ss]

Whenever I have picked up a reel  in the past that had the original grease in it, I have cleaned and relubed with synthetic lube. I now have a couple of pristine Shakespeare's in the box. I will not be fishing these reels. Wallhangers for sure. Both reels operate , except for the Ar which I am sure is due to the stiff grease. So my question is, should I leave them "as is" or do the clean and new lube thing? Opinions please.

[Crow]

I'd say, if they were never fished....leave them "as new", but ,if they were fished, ....even a little ....they aren't "new", no matter how well they look, so, a good "servicing" shouldn't hurt the value, and, would *probably* help it.   It's really pretty hard to make a 'call' on something like that....reels are, IMHO, "to fish with", so it's hard for me to get a handle on value, as a "collectable".

[handi2]

Look closely at the screw heads. That will tell you if its been apart.

[happyhooker]

Sooner or later, with older reels that retain the same lubes, those oils/grease will stiffen and the reel will not operate properly.  If it's for display, you might say "no issue"; also sooner or later, it's likely, maybe probable, that someone will try to operate the reel and then something may "give".  Then, what have you got?

Frank

[foakes]

I think Frank is right — only exception would be if you were reselling these reels immediately — then I would tell the new owner that the grease is hard and likely set up — then let him decide what he wants to do.

Beware of pristine reels that are 60 years old — and likely never broken into.

The grease of the day, after 60 years — will be nearly as hard as a rock — and will not soften up by using the reel.  And damage will occur because the grease has dried up and hardened in a location that will not touch the moving parts.

And worst case, by forcing the operation — at least one of two parts have a high probability of breaking.

And they are not easily obtainable.

So my opinion would be to carefully break open the reel with a proper screwdriver, take a look, get the old grease out, relube, button it back up carefully, and enjoy a functional pristine reel.

Just like a car that has been setting for 60 years.  More damage can be done in the first 10 seconds of starting the engine without a pre-check, new oil, and carefully cycling the pistons — then in 100,000 miles of proper servicing and driving.

Show us some pics.

Best,

Fred