The key wind style reels made by Yawman & Erbe (Y&E) and Horrocks and  Ibbotson are actually the more recent models, even though they look older. The ones without the wind-up key are the older models.

On the more recent models, looking from the side of the reel you can see the case holding the spring. On the older models, the spring is exposed.

The earliest Y&E reels appear to have serial numbers crudely scratched into the inside surface of the sideplates, near a small hole next to the pillars. The lowest serial number I have is "X", which is roman numeral 10.

The reels come in 3 sizes, A, B and C. The older Y&E reels have flat sideplates, whereas the more recent ones have contours pressed into the surfaces.

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