Are these Ultegra or 105 shifters?

[Sam W]

Been digging through the box of goodies in the shed and have found some levers which are confusing me. As you can see, the brake levers are marked up as Ultegra, but if you bend the rubber hood back it reveals the model number ST-5500 which would suggest 105. See pictures for details

Any thoughts on what's going on here?

 

[hamster]

Looks like 105 with Ultegra caps to me. I doubt that there is any difference in the insides anyway. Most shifters share a lot of common parts with the difference commonly in material choice for lever blades etc.

 

[Sam W]

Thanks, guessed that might be the case, but didn't think parts would be interchangeable.

 

[Jamiedyer]

105 with Ultegra caps. If they are from the same era there will be a slight difference in weight and also on the quality of some of the inner parts. Not such an issue when new but for us retro people it can make a difference
Also with some Shimano parts it's the difference between serviceability and having to junk when there's a problem.
Jamie