1941 pflueger Medalist question

[chris fox]

I have a transition model 1941 1495 1/2 medalist with the round line guide, riveted sculptured pillars and plastic parts. The plastic parts have disintegrated. I’m wondering for collector value is it better to leave it alone or have it repaired?

[chris fox]

[3creeks]

It's not collectible enough that getting a metal latch cover and fixing the handle would decrease the value. A similar reel with sound parts would fetch no more than $200 in my opinion. I love my old Medalist ringers and I use them. Finding someone to do the work is another story. Bob Selb sells the metal latch covers but the handle is a tougher one.

[Bill Charles]

Replacement handles and latch covers can be found here:

https://onepfoot.com/parts

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

If the other side of the reel looks as nice as the side shown, it is definitely worth getting fixed. My understanding was that OnePfoot had closed up shop, however, it does indeed appear that new owners have revived the company and even expanded their offering, which is great news for medalist owners!

Parts may be pulled from any size donor spool. I personally would hold out for the yellow handle and metal latch for a reel in this nice of condition. Watch eBay for any reel or spool in rough condition as these will have a lower hammer price.

Cheers,
Joe

[chris fox]

Yes the back of the reel is as nice as the front. I just bought it a couple days ago at a local estate sale. The reel has an original tag but no box or papers.
That’s too bad that one-pfoot closed shop.

[uppercreek]

If it were my reel and I couldn't find a metal latch and butterscotch handle knob I would look for a nice replacement spool with the white plastic circle trademark latch cover and white plastic handle knob. It's closer to the original, anyway. I have a couple of used 1495 1/2 circle trademark spools but they have too much wear for this nice reel.

Kevin

[tunafart]

Hi Chris -
Congrats on finding an INTACT 1495 1/2 ringer in the 80-odd year-old category.
A Very Useful size of a Great American icon of design. Except for those pesky early plastic bits.
As a response to your original question, IMHO it would not appreciably 'hurt' the value
of your reel to maintain it with authentic parts, either vintage or those offered
by One-Pfoot. BTW, the One-Pfoot web site looks quite current, with Joe Burg
now manning the helm. Their product-page listing of parts is complete and, seemingly, current.

One note: your reel, if I'm not mistaken, has a solid post on which the grasp is pinned by a
domed cap formed at its top. It was factory installed by machine-peening from the spool interior,
an operation typically well beyond most of us.
Installing a new One-pfoot grasp (nice product), salvaging a vintage grasp or even machining your own,
will require grinding the cap off the original post; ie: you will need Something to retain the new grasp
on the post. The One-pfoot grasps come with a Very Well-Designed drive-on 'nickel-silver retaining cap',
which is installed from the top, and (again IMHO) is one of the most underappreciated and strategic parts in the One-pfoot line up.

Best wishes, and please post a pic of your finished handiwork!
Paul
Traverse City MI

[chris fox]

Thanks for the advice. I just ordered an Ivory colored handle from one-pfoot that I’ll be installing on this reel. I have an early 1960’s white latch cover with the center circle Trade Mark logo.

My drag screw knob was toast. It was so brittle that it fell apart with a couple turns. I had saved the drag screw off my 1494 1/2 reel. I was able to pop the plastic knob off to use on this 1495 1/2 reel. The swap was easy.

[chris fox]

It was so brittle it turned to plastic dust.

[chris fox]

I used a Vice and a small pry bar to pop the plastic cap off.

[chris fox]

1495 1/2 with its new plastic drag knob.

[TytLynz2U2]

Great work so far Chris! Keep those update photos coming…

[chris fox]

The replacement handle from one-pfoot arrived. Instructions were to grind off the riveted tip off the metal post and hammer on the new metal cap.

[chris fox]

The new metal cap is a snug fit. It barely went on just using hand force.

[chris fox]

I used a small metal clamp to press the cap on.

[chris fox]

Finished results…. Plastic latch cover, plastic drag knob and plastic handle replaced.

[JoeBolt]

Well played, sir. The paint really is in fantastic shape.
Funny how the paint can really melt down, or the plastic. I'm sure there's known chemistry behind that. You did a good thing.
Enjoy!

[jhuskey]

Very nicely resurrected Mr. Fox!

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Great Job! You've got the skills to pay the bills

Thanks for taking us along for the ride!