Mitchell Reel Forum

What can you tell about these 3 spools?
When were they made?
Why do they have 2 wire clips on the inside of them?
Plus anything else that might be pertinent?

RedWave.
I'll take a shot at your question. Attached is a pic of 5th version spools in Wallace's book. It appears that there was a transition from the earlier spool pawl to just a spring during this period. Yours may be one that happened during that transition since it has screws instead of being welded, but with the later spring. My opinion the second spring may be to help hold the line is place when it's in the slot.
The 5th versions period is from 55 to 58.

Regards,
Ted Lanham

See new Pictures.

RedWave,
That part is called a "Line Clip". Part number 36 on the early models. Yours may be in two pieces.

Check this link. https://www.reeldr.com/home/wp-content/ ... 011969.pdf

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Redwave,
In your first photo you show the bottom of what is called the spool shell. You would need to add the spool spindle and a few other parts to see the entire spool assembly and all of it's features.

In this case, the spool shell is made out of metal. There is a small post which is attached to the spool shell bottom and we can see that the click spring or clicker is attached to this post. The top left spool shell shown in the photo has the click spring on backwards and mounts like the other two.

The click spring is part of the drag system. When line is going off the spool while the bail is closed, like when you have a large fish on, the drag puts resistance on the turning spool. The click spring gives the angler an audible reminder that the fish is taking line.

The thin wire shown is called the spool line clip. It is part of the spool's line retention system. This system utilizes a small slit cut into the bottom of the spool shell to hold the end of the spooled line from unraveling from the spool. You can see the slit in your photo if you look at the flange opposite the click spring mounting post. The spool line clip wire mounts in a thin groove formed in the inner lip of the spools shell. When the end of the spooled line is pulled into the slit, it is held in place by the spool line clip.

I agree with Ted that these spool shells date from the 5th version Mitchell 300 spools.
Around the early part of the 1960s this spool click spring and spool line clip were replaced by a single spool click spring which combined the functions of both former parts into one part. With the new design the spool click spring also held the end of the spooled line and gave an audible click when the drag was deployed. Most part commoditization led to greater profits for the company.
Kind Regards,
Bill