Friends,
I found this lengthy treatise on Pflueger reels and their configurations at an ebay auction for a reel. The author/presenter of the information is listed below should anybody seek to contact him. Don't know if this is accurate or not but is seems to be written with some precision, no matter who did it.
paveglass
Pflueger Medalist Fly Fishing Reels: The History
1929-1936
The 1931 catalog listed the MEDALIST. The reel appears to be the one C.T. Pflueger applied for a patent for on Oct. 27, 1928 and was granted on Sept. 9, 1930, as Patent Number 81995.
1930s-40s era Pflueger Medalists
- Trademark, Pflueger Medalist, Made in USA on spool latch cover
- Model #, Patented stamped on the reel body below the foot
- Bronze spindle
- Round metal Diamolite line guard
- 6 rivets around spool latch cover
- Amber colored plastic handle
- Aluminum spool latch cover
- Knurled metal drag knob
- Sculpted cross pillars, riveted to body
In 1931, the models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1492, 1494, and 1496
Right Hand Wind/ No Line Guard: 1392, 1394, and 1396
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1592, 1594, and 1596
1937
The 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:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1492, 1494, and 1496
Right Hand Wind/No Guard: 1392, 1394
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1594
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:
Right Hand Wind /Round Line Guard/Adjustable Drag: 1494, 1495, and 1496
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag: 1594
1939
The Medalist line gained a wide frame model, the 1495 . The models were 1 wide versus the standard 13/16 wide models.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1496
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
1940 - 1949
The 1496 1/2 and 1494 1/2 were offered. The 1496 was dropped.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1496, and 1496 1/2
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
1952
1950s era Pflueger Medalists
Trademark, Pflueger Medalist, Made in USA on spool latch cover
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
*1959, Made in Akron O USA was stamped on the reel body below the foot.
The reel foot is now tapered rather than having straight sides.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1496, and 1496 1/2
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
1958
The 1498 is added. The 1496 ., 1496, 1392 and 1394 are discontinued.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1498
Right Hand Wind/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1595
1959
The 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:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1498
Right Hand Wind/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1961-62
1960s era (pre-1966) Pflueger Medalists
Pflueger Medalist, Made in USA on spool latch cover (no trademark stamp)*
- 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
*1964
The models were as follows:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1963
Another 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:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , and 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1966
The 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, for dual action, right or left hand retrieve, 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 joins the line up.
The models were as follows:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1494 , 1495, 1495 , and 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1973-74
The 1 wide model 1492 joins the line up.
The models were as follows:
Right or Left Hand/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1494 , 1495, 1495 , and 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492, 1492 1/2
1979
Production 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.
1990s
W. 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.
Pfleuger Fishing
Since 1881 the Pflueger name has been part of the fishing industry when Ernest F. Pflueger founded a fish hook company called the Enterprise Manufacturing Company. When his son Earnest A. Pflueger took over the family business and founded the E.A. Pflueger Company, he expanded the company from a hook manufacturer to all aspects of fishing tackle & gear. In 1916 the first Pflueger Baitcast reel was manufactured in Akron, Ohio, and became a benchmark of the fishing reel industry. The Pflueger spinning reel was introduced in 1954. Over the years Pflueger continues to be one of the world's leading rod and reel manufacturers.
The legendary line of Pflueger reels & rods are designed for the discriminating angler. Our wide & varied product line has something for every angler, & now includes:
* Baitcast Reels & Combos
* Spinning Reels & Combos
* Ultralite Reels & Combos
* Bigwater Spinning Reels & Combos
* Bigwater Trolling Reels & Combos
* Freshwater Rods
* Fly Rods & Reels
* Vests
* Fly Kits
Our products are world famous for their innovation, dependability & attention to detail. Pflueger continues to combine pride in craftsmanship and commitment to new technology to create a line of superior fishing products. Pflueger has produced quality fishing products for over 120 years & quality remains our #1 priority. Simply put, Pflueger products perform.
If you currently use Pflueger products, we thank you for being a loyal consumer. If you haven't tried Pflueger reels and rods, we hope you'll get acquainted with excellence in fishing tackle.
Ian
Upgrade program
Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters
ebay@flyfishingoutfitters.com
(415) 781-3474
I found this lengthy treatise on Pflueger reels and their configurations at an ebay auction for a reel. The author/presenter of the information is listed below should anybody seek to contact him. Don't know if this is accurate or not but is seems to be written with some precision, no matter who did it.
paveglass
Pflueger Medalist Fly Fishing Reels: The History
1929-1936
The 1931 catalog listed the MEDALIST. The reel appears to be the one C.T. Pflueger applied for a patent for on Oct. 27, 1928 and was granted on Sept. 9, 1930, as Patent Number 81995.
1930s-40s era Pflueger Medalists
- Trademark, Pflueger Medalist, Made in USA on spool latch cover
- Model #, Patented stamped on the reel body below the foot
- Bronze spindle
- Round metal Diamolite line guard
- 6 rivets around spool latch cover
- Amber colored plastic handle
- Aluminum spool latch cover
- Knurled metal drag knob
- Sculpted cross pillars, riveted to body
In 1931, the models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1492, 1494, and 1496
Right Hand Wind/ No Line Guard: 1392, 1394, and 1396
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1592, 1594, and 1596
1937
The 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:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1492, 1494, and 1496
Right Hand Wind/No Guard: 1392, 1394
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard: 1594
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:
Right Hand Wind /Round Line Guard/Adjustable Drag: 1494, 1495, and 1496
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag: 1594
1939
The Medalist line gained a wide frame model, the 1495 . The models were 1 wide versus the standard 13/16 wide models.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1496
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
1940 - 1949
The 1496 1/2 and 1494 1/2 were offered. The 1496 was dropped.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1496, and 1496 1/2
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Round Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
1952
1950s era Pflueger Medalists
Trademark, Pflueger Medalist, Made in USA on spool latch cover
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
*1959, Made in Akron O USA was stamped on the reel body below the foot.
The reel foot is now tapered rather than having straight sides.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1496, and 1496 1/2
Right Hand Wind/No Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1392, 1394
Right Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
1958
The 1498 is added. The 1496 ., 1496, 1392 and 1394 are discontinued.
The models were as follows:
Right Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1498
Right Hand Wind/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1594
Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1595
1959
The 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:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1498
Right Hand Wind/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1961-62
1960s era (pre-1966) Pflueger Medalists
Pflueger Medalist, Made in USA on spool latch cover (no trademark stamp)*
- 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
*1964
The models were as follows:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1963
Another 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:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 , and 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1966
The 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, for dual action, right or left hand retrieve, 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 joins the line up.
The models were as follows:
Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1494 , 1495, 1495 , and 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492
1973-74
The 1 wide model 1492 joins the line up.
The models were as follows:
Right or Left Hand/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1494 , 1495, 1495 , and 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492, 1492 1/2
1979
Production 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.
1990s
W. 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.
Pfleuger Fishing
Since 1881 the Pflueger name has been part of the fishing industry when Ernest F. Pflueger founded a fish hook company called the Enterprise Manufacturing Company. When his son Earnest A. Pflueger took over the family business and founded the E.A. Pflueger Company, he expanded the company from a hook manufacturer to all aspects of fishing tackle & gear. In 1916 the first Pflueger Baitcast reel was manufactured in Akron, Ohio, and became a benchmark of the fishing reel industry. The Pflueger spinning reel was introduced in 1954. Over the years Pflueger continues to be one of the world's leading rod and reel manufacturers.
The legendary line of Pflueger reels & rods are designed for the discriminating angler. Our wide & varied product line has something for every angler, & now includes:
* Baitcast Reels & Combos
* Spinning Reels & Combos
* Ultralite Reels & Combos
* Bigwater Spinning Reels & Combos
* Bigwater Trolling Reels & Combos
* Freshwater Rods
* Fly Rods & Reels
* Vests
* Fly Kits
Our products are world famous for their innovation, dependability & attention to detail. Pflueger continues to combine pride in craftsmanship and commitment to new technology to create a line of superior fishing products. Pflueger has produced quality fishing products for over 120 years & quality remains our #1 priority. Simply put, Pflueger products perform.
If you currently use Pflueger products, we thank you for being a loyal consumer. If you haven't tried Pflueger reels and rods, we hope you'll get acquainted with excellence in fishing tackle.
Ian
Upgrade program
Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters
ebay@flyfishingoutfitters.com
(415) 781-3474
