Doing some digging this weekend I learned a few things I thought someone here might appreciate. I don't recall seeing any of this before, so if anyone previously posted this, my apologies to them.
First is general info on Shakespeare date codes. Shakespeare put a two letter date code on their reels. If you have Annie's secret decoder ring, you can date your reel, kind of. Here's the ring.
0 - A L
1 - K V
2 - J U
3 - H T
4 - G S
5 - F R
6 - E Q
7 - D P
8 - C N
9 - B M
So, code FG = 1954 EC = 1968 Now, this is just the year production of a model started or the year that model was redesigned or altered, the codes are not the year it was manufactured. So, if a reel model was started in 1950, never altered and discontinued 10 years later, all reels would be coded FA.
Second concerns 2052 emblems. Shakespeare put metal emblems on their spinning reels with the model number on them. Some also had additional code under the model number. There were two codes and they don't signify anything especially special about them. The codes were NL and -2. The meanings.
2062 - sold with spool filled
2062NL - sold with no line on the spool
2062-2 - sold with 2 spools filled
2062NL-2 - sold with 2 spools, no line
Amazing, they stamped different emblems to be affixed to the reels instead of just marking the boxes, it was a special time I guess.
The last concerns the reel itself. I feel really stupid because I have one of these reels in this condition, it's been in a drawer for a couple of years now, but I never noticed. But in my defense, this isn't something I think about.
Aside from being wonderful little reels, they are quickly, painlessly, and tool-lessly converted to bail-less operation. The bails are not attached to the reels, they just hold themselves in under their own spring power. Below is a picture of mine with the bail off, every other thing concerning the bail is still in place on the reel.
You can have the best of both worlds instantly, while you're on the water, to deal with conditions. It takes a couple of seconds to remove or replace. I don't know why these reels are overlooked, I'm not aware of anything made in this country that was better, and they compare favorably with the better European reels.
Hope this info is of use to someone.
Tim