‘Europa’ Fixed Spool Reels - any clues?

[Vanderschoor]

Great reels: the first version of the Shakespeare 2200 series (before Ambidexes & Sigma's).
See https://nostalgischeshakespearemolensui ... eries.html

[Jeff Smith]

I’ve got several versions of these reels including a couple of Diamond 888 , Europa klasse 2220, and 2200, 2210 and 2230 sizes of the ‘last of the line’ dark green II series , with push button spool,which were marketed around the mid 1970s.
The II series also look remarkably similar to a reel sold under the contemporary South Bend brand.
Ball bearing race in the rotor on most of these makes them incredibly smooth but, they werent that popular in the UK-most serious anglers preferring their Mitchell 300s and variants which, I’m my opinion were less robust reels albeit with a superior’ line lay.
..The multi disc drag on these reels is far superior to any Mitchell and , with carbon drag discs, can be made even smoother.
My favourites are the 2200 II ,a delightful ‘ultralight ’ and the 2230 II,a pair of which took me ages to find, a very capable pike sized reel.

[Vanderschoor]

The 2200 II was my first reel... Shakespeare being a very popular brand at the time in the Netherlands. Notice that the earlier 2200's (below 200 gram) were actually more 'UL' than the ca. 250 gram 2200 II.