AJ Campbell wrote in his book, “Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle”, that the earliest Medalist reels were a 1590 series with agate line guards. Can anyone confirm ever having seen one? I don’t remember one myself, and a few others have voiced skepticism of their ever having existed.
-Nathan

Pflueger made many custom Medalists, including the first LHW reels before they were ever marked 15xx.
I think AJ was probably extrapolating from seeing a custom.
Here's a custom made with two line guards - I haven't handled this reel - but it's either for reversible wind, though appears to be single check, so more likely, for use either "rings-up" or "rings down"
So many people had only one reel for all their fishing