When Was This Beaudex Reel Made?

flyfishermann1955 · Post by **flyfishermann1955** » 01/06/10 16:06

I just acquired an unused J. W. Young Beaudex fly reel on the auction site we no longer mention by name. The reel appears to be basically untouched in the original box with paperwork and guarantee card. The reel is 3 and 1/2 inches across and 9/16ths wide. Paperwork shows it will hold an HDH weight line and 30 yards of 20-pound backing. What I don't know is: when was the reel made? I don't see any kind of date on the box or paperwork. There is a sticker on the side of the box showing the price as $31.50.

Does any one know how to determine the age of this reel?

Here are some pictures:

Thanks- Ken

dder · Post by **dder** » 01/06/10 17:06

Ken, I,m not the expert on these but I,d say 55 to early -mid 60,s. A nice reel in very good shape. Has the wire line guard andis revesable for left or right retrieve.The holes in spool if I,m not mistaken would make it a lite weight model as well. That ,the shape of spool release cover and the reversable check all help to date reel and bulldog will hopefully see this post,he,s the man for these reels.Just looking at this one it has no miles or very few and will run at least another 50-75 years with not much maintenance. Enjoy it,not often a reel and box in that condition come along. Daryl

WW · Post by WW » 01/06/10 17:08

I think '65' to '69'

DoctorFly · Post by **DoctorFly** » 01/06/10 23:37

Allcock's, Young's and Lee became Top Tackle in 1963.

The polished spool Beaudex appeared for the first time in the 1965 catalogue.

Shakespeare acquired Top Tackle in 1965.

I'd say that reel (or at least the packaging) was made in 1965.

Regards,

Doc

bulldog1935 · Post by **bulldog1935** » 01/07/10 05:52

ditto on '65-69
here's the '68 catalog

I'm surprised there's not a month and year embossed in the frame, which was typical from about '63 on

WatercolorMan · Post by **WatercolorMan** » 01/07/10 10:18

Hey Ken great reel, You have the medium wide reel and it holds lots of line. I've been fishing with the skinny one for 30 years and it still looks great.
I use mine often.

WW · Post by WW » 01/07/10 15:27

bulldog1935 wrote:I'm surprised there's not a month and year embossed in the frame, which was typical from about '63 on

I have a number of reels with the wrap around guide. Three of them are embossed with the earliest being 10/62 and the latest at 8/64
I also have three reels with the polished face and none of them have the year embossed in them. Perhaps they just quit doing it.

WatercolorMan · Post by **WatercolorMan** » 01/07/10 22:25

The guy behind the counter looks like my pharmacists, not my fly shop owner.