Mitchell Reel Forum

Hey Schrack. If the reel has 3800 on it, then you have a reel made for Garcia. The handle can be mounted on either side. It's smaller than the Mitchell 300. About the size of a 308. Not bad reels actually. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Kim

Site double posted. Kim

OK, I'm going to take another stab at it. First off, I checked Dennis Roberts Value Guide on the 440 DL. It was listed in his book but not an actual picture of the reel. Made for a select client according to Dennis. Now we know those chrome parts were given a gold coat for the 440, so it's not too m...

From what I could tell someone bought gold parts or had them plated and put onto the reel for their own use. A lot of wear to those parts. From the other reels you have posted the Rapid would be the rarer one.
Kim

From what I could tell someone bought gold parts or had them plated and put onto the reel for their own use. A lot of wear to those parts. From the other reels you have posted the Rapid would be the rarer one.
Kim

RobCFish, If you are using your phone to upload pictures you would need a resizing app on your phone to shrink the pictures pixels. I use Photoresizer. Take pictures of your reel. Pull up app and load pictures to resize 1 by 1. 750 pixels max. Come here to leave message and pictures. Follow prompts....

I'd say you did EXCELLENT on that outfit. Where did you look for the reel serial number?? On the foot underneath is the number. You may have to clean some crud off. Plus, a little talcum powder in the numbers will make it easier to see. Mitchells were made in France and I'm unaware of US patents on ...

Yes, torpedo handle and high speed on handle side.
Kim

Bill,
Those boxes were all marked special. I'm staring at a Special Handle Cat. 849-L L.H. with red box. CODE- 9224. It is a high-speed handle and has the notch in the end.
Kim

Here is picture of box. Handle still inside.

I did a quick search and located this bail spring for the 406 reel you have. Kim https://duckduckgo.com/y.js?ad_domain=ebay.com&ad_provider=bing&ad_type=prad&eddgt=c4z2O849agtzdqa7ni_Krg%3D%3D&rut=d2574341aa4f287ebcee38b4e79222f3bb04bca1f906ebd3ff25f327e97ddd24&u3=https%3A%2F%2Fw...

Matthew, Welcome to the site.. :text-welcomeconfetti: If there is no serial number even very faint on the bottom of the foot you can check another location. Looking at the non-handle side of the reel, setting down with the foot pointing up check at the top side of the reel. There should be a serial ...

Welcome Kevin......... Not many people here collect or know about those type of Mitchell multiplying reels. Not an expensive reel and the side plates are prone to cracking. Good Luck in your search......
Kim

Good story. I was wondering when you purchase those parts, install them, then crank the handle will the rotor turn in the direction you need it to to reel in line????
Kim

From my understanding reading Dennis Robert's Value Guide, it has something to with the anti-reverse mechanism. Probably silent reverse. More knowledgeable people should know..........
Kim

1st of all :text-welcomeconfetti: to the site. Do some searching here as it will be leaving here and going to FB. The 307 is a left-handed version of the 306. Heavy duty freshwater and intermediate for salt water. Not sure where you can get a schematic. I have some but what is the date on your reel?...

I went to FB and joined the Museum group. Quick and easy. Many others have done the same. By the way, I'll try and remember to sign out with my name after posting. I use my wife's FB account and never opened one myself. She never uses it so I kinda took over.......
Kim

Agree with Wallace. Finding out more history on Mitchell other than just the reels...............
Kim

Thanks for all the information you've shared with us and creating a fantastic site. It will be sorely missed. When you close this down and we don't catch your new site on FB how will we be able to find it there? Thanks again.

Kim

Welcome to this site :text-welcomeconfetti: I checked Dennis Roberts Value Guide (2006) and he had it valued at $200 - $325 back then. the values have dropped some since then. If you have the reel, box and paperwork you can start from there. That is a very low numbers produced reel. Circa 1985 - 86....

I'm glad to see Wallace has been here answering questions. Unless I'm mistaken the handle on your reel is not correct for the time period of your reel. The plastic nut end and circles on the shaft part of the reel was made years later than the right one. It shouldn't be too hard to find the correct ...

Earliest would be 1952. And latest date 1955. Probably had a sticker attached to reel faceplate. As you look at the reel body from the picture examine the outer lower rim of body to the right of the foot. I can barely see the serial number stamped there. It would give you a better idea of when it wa...

OK, I'll take a stab at it. I believe you have a Mitchell 302 Saltwater reel pre-Garcia engraved. According to Dennis Roberts Value Guide, Garcia wasn't engraved until circa 1958. Still the same reel but now has Garcia on it for North American distribution. Hope this helps........... Kim Also, befor...

Welcome to the site. According to Dennis Roberts Guides the "S" stands for heavy duty main gear for saltwater application. Hope this helps.....
Kim

I thought that looked familiar. Wife and I visited a Fish Show back in 2008. Lots of Mitchell at very good prices. Talked to a guy that had these. Bought this complete set in box. The idea as stated you buy these in size line for your Mitchell reel. Remove hardware from a spool and put on these. Ful...

Well, I had to use a different Mitchell reel and pole the other day. My normal freshwater poles were 50 miles 1 way to fetch them. Not in the cards. I looked under the spool where I attach a label of line weight and date. For my reference on what size fish to target since Mitchell makes those quick-...

Hello Colin, and :text-welcomeconfetti: ... The reason no one is answering is because this site is geared toward Mitchell spinning reels. The closed face reel you are referring to was probably made after Mitchell left France and made in Taiwan or China. This site doesn't follow Mitchell after I beli...

Welcome to the site!!!!!!! :text-welcomeconfetti: I did a search from Dennis Roberts Value Guide and it falls into the 5th 302 version. Circa. 1956. You posted you found a serial number. It should be stamped on the back end of the side plate between the 2 screws. No Garcia but probably had a glue on...

Hello Jeff and welcome to the board. You probably should have started a new topic on the questions thread. Maybe the administrators could relocate it there. That way people will be able to see your question and answer it quicker. You gave a 7-digit number which would put your reel into the 1960's. M...

Hello Jeff, and welcome to this site. :text-welcomeconfetti: If I'm understanding you correctly you are referring to the avatar symbol you have by your "ID" here. It's a fish logo with Neptunes Trident. That "symbol" means it was sold to be distributed to the European market. As ...

That's new to me. Never knew spools had notches in them. Maybe Wallace's book explains it.
Kim :text-coolphotos:

WOW, Don she's a keeper!!!!! Sweet face and gentile disposition. You can't ask for more. Doesn't look that old and seems housebroken. Now, how will she handle being your new fishing partner????

Kim

Sandman, pretty good. Year is spot on. It is 1st version because of chevron AB lever. 2nd version came with the straight lever. Yes, Euro released but this version came with black knob. According to Dennis 2nd showed up on 1958 when 350 5/1 was etched into the plate version A and Rapid sticker on ro...

My condolences for your loss. It's never easy to do the right thing for your extended family. Knowing you gave them your all and treated them well helps you through. You always know what they thought of you when you walk through the door after being away. That speaks volumes. Time does heal but not ...

Hello, here is another reel I mentioned to post here. Bought from Larry C, Dennis's friend. Purchased together with the Blazer reel back in 2006. Here's some questions and I know the answers. Trying to mix things up here. When did Mitchell release the reel. Date? What reel did it transform into. Wha...

Thanks guys. AS said date on the box is May 6, 2006. Purchased it from Larry C., a friend of Dennis who has passed away a few ago I believe. Met him at the Rochester, NY ORCA show in Sept of 2000. I also bought another reel from him that was shipped together with the BALZER reel. I will post picture...

Ok Ted, here goes. Using my phone with resized pictures for proper pixels.
Kim
Notice hole drilled in spool. Not sure why. Very small D in front of serial number. I believe reel was made April 8th, 1974.

Had some time on my hands today with the snowstorm and all. Checked the reel mentioned and it has an aluminum tournament spool on it. Probably aftermarket contracted by Mitchell for these reels. 300 with new style anti-reverse AND BALZER Silver sticker on side plate. I have heard of the stickers bef...

Well, I finally cleaned my reel servicing desk downstairs to prep my reels for the upcoming season. Once all the "trash" was removed I discovered reels I had taken apart but never reassembled. 3 reel bodies, 3 rotors, 4 baffles with 3 of different design and scattered parts. I have 2 Mitch...

Congratulations on your acquisition!!! :text-welcomeconfetti: to the site... There are some variations of spools over the years. One way to tell old from new is, older have 4 prong drag nut and newer have 3. Some variations in those too. Deep and shallow spools for different amount of line laid on t...

Pictures would be a great help. SMALL BAIL? Not sure what you mean. A smallish arm with the roller guide that moves toward the pole when twisted?? That would be factory made. Made from approx. 1970 - 1986. Covers a lot of years and some design changes. 35,872 made. Post pictures no more than 700 - 8...

I agree with Ted since they were 1st released in 1966. Faster retrieve than the 300C. Virtually the same reel except color and retrieval speed. The 1st version had the tungsten line guide and the next version roller line guide. Circa 1968/69.
Kim

CA, someone switched the cover on your forked foot reel. It should have a 510-side plate not a 410-side plate. Both are interchangeable. The serial number is stamped on the outer rim of the forked foot reel. I can see it cover plate side between the 2 brass seats. They were made between 1969 & 1...

I'll try and take it 1 step further. I know there are charts out there that specify fresh or saltwater usage. 301 series intended for fresh water. I still use it for salt water 10# test when fishing the suds in the surf. 307- 407 intermediate for fresh or salt water. 303 - 403, 387, and any larger r...

Welcome to the site. :text-welcomeconfetti: What information are you looking for? The serial number will be on the bottom of the foot. It could be very faint. Clean the bottom and use a magnifying glass to help you see. The spools for the 402 & 302 are interchangeable. They can be removed by gra...

That's a GREAT tool kit for cleaning your reels. The only thing I can add is to buy a plastic dish pan to disassemble the reel. That way no parts are lost especially those pesky shims. Someone here had explained the general location of the certain thickness shims on the reel. If you don't want to pu...

If you are crazy, then the majority here mainly me are (is) certifiably insane. Sitting at my computer and glancing to my left there are no less than 9 Mitchell reels within my Eyesite. 4 in matching boxes and 5 without. This is not my normal storage area either. Mitchell paperwork and Garcia Mitche...

WOW, WOW, WOW, you have a unicorn. I know you have been looking for that reel for some time. You found it in less time considering the ages. MY all-time favorite reel that I use every time I go freshwater fishing. I have a spare as mentioned. It will go to the grave with me. In The Will...... :banan...

I have been fishing my 331 auto-bail for 15+ years. No issues at all except by the user. Sometimes I forget to move the bail lock 1st time cast and away goes my bait.
Kim

I checked Mike's and he lists the reel which bailarm mentions. I never knew they put stickers on a Match box for the ALC to be sold in. Not surprized as I have other "stickered" boxes. The price seems very reasonable too.
Kim

A good quality lube in the proper places is all you need. Especially when you service them every year you don't need to overdo it.
Kim

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