Please email me at reellife53@yahoo.com 
Call or Text me at 219-242-0804

---

Antique Reel Grading System

While it would be very easy to grade an old fishing reel by saying it is in good, average, nice, it works  good, excellent, etc. (you get the idea) condition, it leaves far too many grey areas and usually a definate and uncomfortable difference in opinions between collectors. Antique Fishing Reel values are based on condition, both in appearence and mechanically, therefore this is a very important topic when describing the condition of a collectible fishing reel. A grading system was developed in the 90's that works well, and is now considered a standard as per guidelines established by O.R.C.A, The Old Reel Collectors Association. This grading system is outlined below.   
 

---

Grade / Appearance

---

Mint / Original factory condition. Never used 

A10 / Looks mint, but no guarantees as to whether it was used 
 
A9 / Hard rubber still polished; edges sharp; markings sharp; 
machining marks crisp, plating intact, no corrosion, pitting, chips or 
scratches 

A8 / Occasional light scratches; minor, normal plating wear;  rubber
edges may not be sharp; minor foot imperfections; clean; crank knobs  tight 
 
A7 / Small chips; some plating wear; screw slots obviously  used;
light cleaning required; if recently polished, some surface defects 
 
A6 / Chips; small dents; scratches from normal use; light  corrosion;
foot filed heavily or bent severely; some screw heads buggered 

A5 / Larger chips and/or scratches; heavier corrosion, light  pitting;
slight bends in pillars, crank; knob pins bent or loose; may need  small
replacement part such as a screw, net or bearing cap 

A4 / Has significant problem; heavy corrosion; buggered screws; 
cracked rubber plate; small broken part, missing major part(s) such as  pillar,
line guide, click button; foot seriously damaged 

A3 / More serious problems. Broken foot or other frame part;  bent or
badly dented plates. 

A2 / May be useful for parts 

A1 / No aesthetic value

Grade / Mechanical Condition

---

M10 / All functions work perfectly, not wear 


M9 / All functions work well, though some wear apparent. Spool  fully
adjustable strong click; strong brake; smooth level wind. 


M8 / All functions work well, though complete adjustment may  not be
possible. Slight spool dinging; some click wear; brake pressure may  not be
maximal. 
M7 / Normal use and wear; spool sloppy; click weakening; level  wind
slight wobble. 


M6 / All functions work, but some may be fairly worn; some gear 
noise; click may slip or be very weak; needs new pawl. 

M5 / Functions work, but with some difficulty; click or brake  not
functional; level wind jams, broken gear tooth or worn gears 



M4 / Functional problems requiring replacement parts to make  operable 
 


 
M3 / Major functional problems, possibly due to missing or  broken
parts that are not easily replaced 

M2 / Major problems 

M1 / No mechanical value

---

Model Number Codes

Another area of old reel identification that has caused some confusion, and I have had a lot of questions asked to me about, is the 2 "alphabetic letter" code that follows the model number of the later model Shakespeare and South Bend Reels. These 2 letters stand for the year that the reel was manufactured. Up until the early 1930's, Shakespeare used the actual years as model numbers. Begining early in the 30"s, they used a 4 to 5 digit model number followed by a 2 character alphabetic model number which signified the year of manufacture. (ie: GE, FK, etc). The chart below can be used to decipher the Shakespeare dating system codes.   

Post 1930 Shakespeare Reel 2-Letter Code.

The letters on the reel will correspond with the numbers on this chart.
For example: A reel that is marked model FK would have been manufactured in 1951.

---

(Back To Reel Gallery)

If you would like to sell old lures or reels click (Here) or

Please email me at reellife53@yahoo.com
Call or Text me at 219-242-0804

Copyright 2012-2019
All Rights Reserved
Randy's Antique Fishing Lures
No unauthorized duplication of any content from this website is permitted.