Mitchell Reel Forum

Rob, I have reviewed your photos from your original post. You have nothing special about your reel that indicates it has gold with accents. To me, your reel shows a significant amount of wear and the chrome plating has come off, which is exposing the brass. We all do find exciting when we find somet...

Hi RobCFish, I thought I would add my 2 cents to this discussion. To the best of my knowledge Garcia/Mitchell made gold display presentation reels in 300 DL, 408 DL, 410 DL, 400 G and 408 G. There were also a completely plated (100% entire reel) in gold 300 DL, there were also a few very specific pr...

Dave, from time to time this problem/question comes up in repairing the auto-bail baffle plates. Thank you for applying your skills to remedy this important issue. Yes these baffle plates are extremely difficult to find. I appreciate you and for your willingness to help and offer your services. 👍😎 K...

We are always ecstatic to see your photos of reels you find, we hope you will share with us.

Ok that is good to hear! Now let’s establish if there are any markings/numbers on the inside of the foot. Look like you have a early 3rd version reel

Glad to be of help!

Hello, I believe you have a 3rd version 1/2 bail. If you look on the backside of your reel the should be a raised lettering for Made in France, look closely for an engraved serial number. There should be a letter in front of it. I have some 1/2 bail parts reels. If you would like me to service it an...

Yes, there should be a slight amount of up and down play. You mentioned that the reel is spinning well? You can test this by removing or adding one shim to see how it feels after. Most people overdo the lubricant. Just enough brushed on the moving parts. I usually put a thin coat on all the bare met...

Merry Christmas to everyone on the Mitchell Museum Forum Discussion Board. Hope everyone has a great 2023!
Many thanks to our Museum owner Wallace Carney for giving us the ability to communicate far and wide on our beloved Mitchell Reel

Ted you can find Jeff Knight on Facebook

Hello Gramwin, Sounds like it could be an early full bail reel before 300 was added or it might be a parts reel. If you could it would be great if you can post some photos of your reel. Please look for a serial number that should be present on the back of the reel. Slight possibility it could be on ...

Happy New Year Kim, hope you are well my friend.

To all members of this forum I hope that 2022 is great for each of you and your collecting brings great things

Kind Regards, Scott

Don,

Add 3073840 and 2649989 are out of my collection. Did not check the year. Hope you are good
Kind Regards, Scott

Have you tried the talcum powder trick? Get a fine brush and dab some talcum powder on the bristles and then dust the inside of the reel foot or other areas you believe there is a serial number that you cannot see. The talcum powder should make the numbers visible when you gently wipe off the excess...

Dennis, I would believe that our very own Wallace or across the pond James Entwistle or Martin Stone would also be a good resource

Kind Regards, Scott

Hi John,
Somewhere in the Mitchell collecting world I would have no doubt/would not be surprised that there are sequentially serial numbered half bails.
Kind Regards, Scott

Hello Superduty71,

With only 1 photo posted and being a person who has handled a few of them, it looks legitimate. It could be a fake but someone would have to prove otherwise. Nice looking reel mate. Congratulations
Kind Regards, Scott

Good video

Nice to see the video capture what I provided
Thank you
Kind Regards, Scott

Hi Scott, 1/2 bail operation is very simple and almost the same as a full bail. In a full bail you flip the bail wire to cast, turn handle to flip bail wire closed to retrieve. In a 1/2 bail you use your thumb or an index finger to push/rotate the knurled/grooved base of the bail wire where it is at...

JohnEBoy,

Yes there are documented 300’s and 308’s with sequential serial numbers. Many years ago Wallace had a 6 pack of if I remember were 308’s. I do not believe I have ever seen a set of 1/2 bails in that order. Great question

Kind Regards, Scott

Simone,
That sounds fantastic to be able to scientifically measure the reel for it’s gold plating. An alternative way would be just weigh it, if it is solid 18 karat gold it’s going to weigh significantly more than if it was just gold plated.
Kind Regards, Scott

Wallace,

Absolutely stunning. It will be really great to have an article written about these reels. Thank you for all that you do

Kind Regards, Scott

Ted and Allan,

I think I would be in agreement with you I would like to handle them and spin them, snipping is kind of sad

Wallace and mates,
What incredible news finding the best of the best from CEO Mr. Lenk. Cannot wait to hear more about the auction and see more photos. Another mystery solved!
Kind Regards Scott

Ted, Chris, Bull and Simone,

Great discussion and thanks Chris for showing the difference between real and fake

thanks for a great discussion

Simone, I personally thought that the DL box looks to good to be original, my bet as Ted had alluded to that the guy in Canada made these. This info have not unpacked yet but I bet if you contact Mike DiMattio he could confirm. I really did like the reel though

Thank you that is really nice

Very nice Christian, thank you for sharing

Back when I was restoring old 60’s cars the process to re-chrome was to strip down to bare steel, nickel plate copper flashing and the chrome plate. It is a pretty expensive process. There might be better ways to end up at same finished product

Baron, Check your shims to make sure you have the right spacing. Might need to add another. Also inspect the gears real well for wear you may have to use a good magnifying loop or glass to find what is not correct. Also check your faceplate to make sure it is set correctly Good luck Probably somethi...

Hello to all,

Great thread here. Absolutely cool to see so many vintage photos regarding Cluses and Mitchell. I really want to think that the 300 reel on the roof of the van actually spins.

Dries, Another great photo, way cool!
Thanks for sharing

I have tried many different things for polishing/cleaning shaft and shaft seat. Most times just using a fine 0000 steel wool does fine for the shaft. I also use a dremel for cleaning up shaft seat and inside of reel housing. Any good polishing rouge and dental tip for polishing is just the right siz...

Hi Johnny, I really don’t see anything wrong in your approach to the service of you reel, There are a couple things I would suggest to help your process. Denatured alcohol is very evaporative and can be a single use cleaner. I use WD40 liquid (not spray). It allows me to reuse for along time. Wallac...

Stu, check the bail arm locking mechanism switch/button
It may not be fully disengaged. Just a thought

Dries, Welcome back my friend! I hope this note finds you well

Another thought before stripping down the reel is to get a close diameter rod that matches diameter of spool button. Press firmly the button with the rod to see if it will release. Sometimes with older reels things dry out where fingers just cannot press firmly enough

I agree, I have found most Lithium based grease to sticky

Welcome back Glen, hope you are well

Hi Guys,

I really like all the early fishing photos of you and family/friends. Thank you

Thank you Chris

Hello Thomas, I have worked on Mitchell reels since 1969 herein the USA. Depending on where you live in the world might limit what you have access to for cleaning internal parts of your Mitchell and then re-lubricating. For years the main lube used was a light brown/tan in color then in the later ye...

Hello Schrack, Sorry to hear that you got played by the EBAY snuck. After buying and selling on EBAY for 25 years I have only had one really ugly experience with Mitchell reels and Conolon rods. I guess I feel kinda lucky. You already know this probably: If you have any doubt in the seller, don’t bu...

Thanks Wallace.

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