Pflueger Medalist 1595 Rc Fly Fishing Reel

That model Pflueger reel is capable of either right or left hand retrieve.they only sell them set up for right hand retrieve, only takes a minute to change them over to left. The difference between the 1495 1/2 and 1595 1/2 RC - is the 'RC' part - 'rim control'. Pflueger fishing reel parts and diagrams. Pflueger Fly Reels: Trion. Model # 1912; model # 1934; model # 1956; model # 1978; model # 1990. Model # 1492 1/2; model # 1494 1/2; model # 1495; model # 1498; model # 1595 1/2; model # 1595RC. Model # 1756; model # 1778; model # 1790. Model # 1634; model # 1656.

Old Pflueger Medalist Reels
Pflueger Medalist 1492 Fly Reel
Pflueger Medalist 1495 Fly Reel
Pflueger Medalist 1595 Rc Fly Fishing Reel Manufacturers

1929-1936

The 1931 catalog listed the 'MEDALIST.' The reel appears to be the one C.T. Pflueger applied for a patent on Oct. 27, 1928 and was granted on Sept. 9, 1930 as Patent Number D81995.

1930s-40s era Pflueger Medalists

- Model #, 'Patented' stamped on the reel body below the foot
- Bronze spindle
- Round metal Diamolite line guard
- 6 rivets around spool latch cover
- Amber colored plastic handle
- Aluminum spool latch cover
- Knurled metal drag knob
- Sculpted cross pillars, riveted to body

In 1931, the models were as follows:

1937

The 1396, 1592 and 1596 were dropped. The reels included the change to a spool arbor, which could be weighted. That was patent number 2,018,468, granted Oct. 22, 1935.

The models were as follows:

1938

This year, the Medalist underwent a few more changes. The main one was the adjustable drag under Patent number 2,059,763. The dual click patent was awarded patent number 2,059,765.

The models were as follows:

Pflueger Medalist 1595 Rc Fly Fishing Reel

Old Pflueger Medalist Reels

1939

The Medalist line gained a wide frame model, the 1495 ½. The ½ models were 1' wide versus the standard 13/16' wide models.

The models were as follows:

1940 - 1949

The 1496 1/2 and 1494 1/2 were offered. The 1496 was dropped.

The models were as follows:

1952

1950s era Pflueger Medalists

*1959, 'Made in Akron O USA' was stamped on the reel body below the foot.

The reel foot is now tapered rather than having straight sides.

The models were as follows:

1958

The 1498 is added. The 1496 ½., 1496, 1392 and 1394 are discontinued.

The models were as follows:

1959

The 1594 and 1595 were discontinued with the availability of a left-hand conversion ratchet, part number 3933. This was supposed to fit any Medalists except for the 1492, which was a click drag.

The reel body now has the stamp, 'Made in Akron O USA,' versus just 'Patented.'

The models were as follows:

1961-62

1960s era (pre-1966) Pflueger Medalists

* 1964

Right or Left Hand Wind/Rectangular Line Guard/Adjustable Drag/Dual Click: 1494, 1495, 1495 ½, 1498
Right Hand/Square Line Guard/No Drag/Dual Click: 1492

1963

Another change in the ratchet occurred; it was made so it could be flipped over and used for right or left hand wind.

The models were as follows:

1966

The Enterprise Manufacturing Company officially changed its name to Pflueger. Shakespeare Tackle Company acquired Pflueger and manufactured the reels in Akron, Ohio, from 1966-69. The letters DA were added after the model numbers.

1970

Pflueger made the Madison Model 4/5, 6/7, 8, and 9 fly reel under the Orvis label. Medalists were now made in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

1972

Pflueger Medalist 1492 Fly Reel

The Pflueger name, model# DA, Made in USA was now on the frame. The 1' wide 1494 ½ joins the line up.

The models were as follows:

1973-74

Pflueger Medalist 1495 Fly Reel

The 1' wide model 1492 ½ joins the line up.

The models were as follows:

1979

Production moved overseas to China, Japan and Hong Kong, Shakespeare Medalists had the reel foot assembly crimped and the contours of the foot were coarser and less refined. The letters CJ (Japan) and AK (Hong Kong, China) appeared after the model numbers. The reel foot had the words Japan, China or Hong Kong inscribed in it. The words 'Pflueger Medalist' and/or 'Shakespeare' appeared on the spool latch cover.

1990s

W. S. Franke Custom Fishing Rods, North Conway, NH, introduced the 1-Pfoot reel foot replacement for older Medalist reel feet with screws which allowed for use on more modern rods. Uses 4 screws for attachment. Reels with riveted feet could accept the 1-Pfoot if the rivets lined up with the holes on the 1-Pfoot and the rivets were removed to accept the screws. After the 1-Pfoot was discontinued, Shakespeare introduced a Chinese reel foot replacement. Current models include the 1492, 1492 1/2, 1494, 1494 1/2, 1495, 1495 1/2 and the 1498, but also include the 1500's with 'Rim-Control.'

References:

Antique Fly Reels

Classic and Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle - A Guide for Collectors & Anglers

~ Richard Komar

An Angler's Guide To The Classic Pflueger Medalist

Part Two - 1959 to Present

Article and Photographs by Joe Cornwall

In An Angler's Guide to the Pflueger Medalist, Part One we explored the history and evolution of the Pflueger Medalist fly reel, including the smallest sizes - the 1492 and 1492½. Those click-pawl models are still in production, largely unchanged from their functional form of 1930. We also looked at the incorporation of the Pflueger drag system as realized in a 'patent pending' model 1495 and an early production example of the first generation of the 1495½. We found that Pflueger had a very long and illustrious history in fishing tackle manufacture and was awarded multiple patents for fly reel design. In this, Part Two, we will examine the iteration of the Pflueger Medalist most recognized by contemporary anglers; the reversible drag design.

Changing a Medalist from right-hand-wind to left-hand-wind is very easy, but it is a process that has seldom been explained in a step-by-step format. Below we will rectify that situation by showing you in easy to follow steps how to disassemble, service and reset your Medalist. The steps shown are valid for all models of the Pflueger Medalist from the 'Made in Akron' versions of 1959 (and before) all the way to the present models available from a variety of retailers.

Pflueger Medalist 1595 Rc Fly Fishing Reel Manufacturers

In this part of the article we will also explore some of the accessories and performance parts currently available from the One Pfoot company.