Hi Chopper Lump- I also have two older (Akron Ohio mfg. Pflueger Medalist fly reels- a 1494 and a 1495- way O.T. here, but there was a machinist named Franke I believe in NH used to make a "One Pfoot" base (like on the Hardy LRH etc.) for those- as the original reel foot was plated and too big for some rod reel seats. I once fly fished with a man who had a sweet three piece Leonard cane rod-and a Hardy reel for it- but whenever he was in "snobishville" he'd switch reels and put a Martin automatic on his Leonard- kinda like the guy with an Ithaca grade 7E single trap that had the barrel shortened and a Cutts Comp installed- "just to raise a few eyebrows"! I like the way you think- reflects the wisdom of your 72 years, I'm not too far behind you and I have some "cigar box" coil springs and other parts from a older sidelock double (unidentified) that I'd be glad to sent to you for either your study or usage-just for the postage if you'd like. I guess I'd go with the coil springs if "push came to shove" but that's a "gut feeling" not based in actual evidence or experience-- RWTF
