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Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 04 Apr 2022, 13:46 • #1 
Sport
Joined: 12/03/12
Posts: 31
Location: US-MN
Picked up a really nice Shakespeare 1263 at the collector show yesterday. Date code is FGD. It is a 6' model and I've only seen these available in 7' and 6'6". Does anyone know if these were available in a 6'? Does not look like it was cut down and the ferrules appear to be appropriate for that date code. It's really nice no matter what, and I prefer to fish 6' anyway!



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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 04 Apr 2022, 13:51 • #2 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Looks totally original to me.
The rod has some use as the cork shows, but nothing in the tip suggests short, and the wraps look totally factory.


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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 04 Apr 2022, 15:15 • #3 
Sport
Joined: 12/03/12
Posts: 31
Location: US-MN
Thanks Bulldog! It has to be factory 6', the 2 sections are exactly the same length and everything else you pointed out is correct. Neat rod, paid $20.00 for it.


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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 05 Apr 2022, 09:56 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/11/17
Posts: 436
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Very cool rod and especially appreciate the vintage reel seat.


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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 05 Apr 2022, 17:39 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/11/05
Posts: 1008
Location: US-NY
The 1263 came in 5’6”, 6’0”, 6’6”, and 7’0” lengths. Time frame 1955 to 1957.


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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 07 Apr 2022, 13:33 • #6 
Sport
Joined: 12/03/12
Posts: 31
Location: US-MN
Funny follow up on the 1263! I found another one in my collection, but something about it was not right for sure. This one is an FEH so has the green hardware. First red flag is it only has 3 guides and tip top, second is that the two sections are different length and rod measures 68", when put together 5'8". Also handle appears to be 2" short and the tip top does not look original and has no winding below it.

Final theory is that the rod was cut down or broken in 2 places and was originally a 6'6" 1263. As shown in the photo below, if we add the 2" back to the butt of the handle and the 8" that appear to be missing from the tip to the bottom of 1st guide and using the guide spacing from the 6' model we get 2 sections at 40" which when put together make a 6'6" rod!
Mystery solved...Maybe! Could maybe redo the guides and have a 5'8" 1263 custom!


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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 07 Apr 2022, 14:27 • #7 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
You could rebuild the rod, but losing 8" from the tip of a light spin rod takes the life out of it. Maybe put it on the long term 'maybe' project queue. Perhaps a third rod will need some donor parts.

I think your efforts would be better put to a modern blank of similar length and lure weight. Maybe recycle some of the parts from the short tip rod?


Tom


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Re: Shakespeare 1263 6'
Post 07 Apr 2022, 14:46 • #8 
Sport
Joined: 12/03/12
Posts: 31
Location: US-MN
Yes, I'd have to be really bored to put any work into the short one, it was in my junk stash anyway. Just was fun to figure what was up with it and after acquiring the nicer (and complete) 1263 the mystery was solved by comparing the two rods.


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