Pflueger Medalist Help

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Just what exactly is Satin Gun Metal finish / and is how it was achieved a mystery ?

[mrriver]

the "gun metal" finish on these reels, which I think is some kind of enamel, is very easy to remove. Too many of the couple hundred or more of these reels that have passed through my hands have sticky finishes as a result of the oil leaching out of oil-impregnated fly lines that sometimes reside on the spools for decades. . The sticky finishes on these reels come off with soaking in hot water with dawn dishwashing detergent and scotchbrite pads. The pictures are of the raw aluminum underneath perhaps coated with some kind of wax. The base plate of the Medalists were cast aluminum and machined as necessary. Front plate was stamped aluminum, pre 1950 sculpted pillars aluminum painted black, newer pillars chrome or nickle plated brass, center spindle bronze till the mid 1930's, spindle stainless steel later, "diamolite " round line guard Stainless Steel. Front plate stamped aluminum, spool front and back stamped aluminum. I have never encountered a reel with a loose or even worn out spindle. The only reels I have seen that are beyond hope are those that have been eaten away by salt.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I have had these for some time also - but never opened them.
mr river - Any idea what these numbers correspond to ?

[3creeks]

All's I know is that I've spent a ton of money on some rather pricey Hardy reels but I like the look of my Pflueger ringers on my rods just as much. If Hardy had made this style of reel instead I think the demand- and prices- would be worse than for a vintage, leaded St. George. Copy infringement risk aside, if I got into making reels I'd aim for something closer to a Medalist. Or a cross between a Medalist and a Gem with an agate ring. Some day....

[Mike N]

Model Years Produced Dimensions
1492 From 1929 to 2000? Outside Diameter 2 7/8” Pillars 13/16” long. Weight 4.5 ounces.
1492 ½ From 1973 to 2000? Outside Diameter 2 7/8” Pillars 1” long.
1494 From 1929 to 2000? Outside Diameter 3 ¼” Pillars 13/16” long. Weight 5.4 ounces.
1494 ½ From 1967 to 2000? Outside Diameter 3 ¼” Pillars 1” long.
1495 From 1938 to 2000? Outside Diameter 3 5/8” Pillars 13/16” long. Weight 6.3 ounces
1495 ½ From 1939 to 2000? Outside Diameter 3 5/8” Pillars 1” long.
1496 From 1929 to 1951 Outside Diameter 4” Pillars 13/16” long.
1496 ½ From 1939 to 1953 Outside Diameter 4” Pillars 1” long.
1498 From 1953 to 2000? Outside Diameter 4” Pillars 1” long. Weight 8.2 ounces
Model Number 1498 replaced the 1496 ½ in 1953. The 1498 added a larger brake shoe, a reinforcement ring on the base plate, and a reinforced spool. These additions were designed to allow the reel to handle the speed and strength of many saltwater species. From its introduction in 1953 through the 1970s more saltwater fly fishing record fish were caught using this reel than any other reel.
Model 1492 always right-hand wind and click pawl check. Riveted sculpted pillars until about 1963. After 1963 chrome-plated cylindrical pillars.
(from the document in progress)

Are you able to more precisely date this 1494-1/2 spool box from its striped graphics? Thanks.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

[mrriver]

For Mike N: Spool three rivets introduced in 1963, the blue box is from Akron, Ohio from 1965 to about 1968.

[mrriver]

Brian sorry I didn't respond earlier. These part numbers were assigned to Pflueger Medalists made in Arkansas from 1970 to 1982. The DA models. The top bag with the last six digits 0004-02 Pan head screws for spool release cover. Middle bag 0015-01 frame and reel foot round head screws. Bottom bag 0012-01 Pawl Spring for model 1492 & 1492 1/2. The screws are all UNC standard 3-48. They will fit all USA made Medalists. The image is from the Medalist Pamphlet 74-36-8591-05 REv. D 5-23-79.