Mitchell Reel Forum

Robcfish, I don't think anyone said you were a liar....Mistaken or wrong; Absolutely. Because you are. I believe that people here who have observed/evaluated Mitchell reels, over many years, some of the rarest in the world are probably qualified to evaluate your reel. You need to realize that the MR...

Robcfish, Where are you going? Hang out here and learn something and interact for anything about Mitchell reels. From 1954 to 1958 the Garcia distributed Mitchell reels had stickers "a Garcia product" of varying designs attached to them. In 1958 "Garcia" was added to the engravin...

Hi Robcfish, I'm going to try to get through to you one more time: Please explain to me how anyone besides Mitchell can color there inscription GOLD. I am 100% positive now this is a factory produced 1970 Mitchell 330 autobail in GOLD!!! Five very experienced Mitchell Collectors (Combined well over ...

Rob, Congratulations on finding a Third or Fourth Version (not possible to tell without detailed photos) Mitchell 330. Your 330 is from 1961/62. Please understand that the manufacture of Mitchell reels over their history was very fluid. There were many different models, versions and variations of th...

Robcfish, Sincerely, you don't have to take my word for anything. All we're doing here is sharing our experience and opinions based on years of research, collaboration with other collectors from around the world and our own observations. Having reviewed and thought about Scott's response to your que...

Robcfish, I completely agree with Scott. I appreciate your mechanical background but plating is not a mechanical process. I'm a systems engineer and I can assure you that it's not that complicated - a google search away. I have a friend and fellow Collector in Europe that in fact, made a Mitchell 30...

Robcfish, The "Round Body" Mitchells used a completely different serial number / dating profile. They never used an alpha prefix in their serial numbers even though they were manufactured after 1971 when the alpha prefix re-started for the 300-400 series medium egg body Mitchell reels. The...

Robcfish, While your 330 is very interesting, I can tell you honestly that the reel you describe and photographed is not a factory original. The DL series reels never had gold inlay in the engraving - that was not seen until the 1980's Bass Pro Shops 400 and 408 "G" reels. Gold plating at ...

Hi Robcfish, The Mitchell reel dating guide here in the MRM only applies to the Mitchell medium size egg shaped body reels (300,400). The round body Mitchells used a completely different serial # dating scheme that has never been published. Your Brother's Mitchell 315 is from 1961/62 and the first d...

Hi Robcfish, I completely agree with Kim's assessment of your GM 330. In my opinion it is a homemade upgrade with the various gold DL hardware that is relatively easy to find. I make that assessment because all of the normally chrome parts are not all gold plated. What I do find very interesting are...

Hi Robcfish, I completely agree with Scott's assessment. Would love to see photos of your 330. I didn't specifically point out your 300 or 408 DL reels because they really aren't that rare. They are special reels, but many collectors have one or more in their collection - I have four. The rare produ...

Hi Rob, One thing I have learned during my Mitchell collecting is “Never say Never” and anything is possible. I think that 330 you’re referring to is the Mitchell 330 Gold which was a limited production kit from the 1980s. Still would be very interested in seeing your 330. :D Agree that Mitchell ree...

Hi Rob, I'm not aware of any Mitchell 330's being made with gold accents. The Mitchell reels with gold accents were designated "DL" or "G" engraved on the faceplate such as the 300, 400, 410, 408 etc. I and I'm sure the other Mates would be interested in photos. See the instructi...

Hi ReelTalk, There is no formal dating guide for the "Round Body" Mitchells (CAP, 304, 314) but I have studied these reels for years and have a pretty good idea of dating them. Your Mitchell CAP 304 was made in early 1956 as indicated by a serial number on the body. The 1955 Mitchell CAP 3...

Hello Mates, I went back through some of my notes on the Garcia Mitchell 304S and thought I would update. Mitchell 304S.jpg These are a few of the Mitchell 304Ss in my collection. All three are MIB with box matching numbers and all of the paperwork; the center is a European distribution Mitchell 304...

Hi Mates, Nobby, Thats not exactly what I posted, but in a response to a question from another Mate several years ago so I included it below. "Hi Johnny, Prior to 1959 the 304 had planamatic gearing, then from 1959 through end of production it had crosswind gearing. The only difference between ...

Hi BF60, That's a different problem caused by either 1. Over torquing the drag and pressing the spool onto the axel 2. Rust forming between the spool and axel or 3. Dried grease in the axel/spool. My first step would be to spray the top of the spool where the axel passes into the spool with PB Blast...

Hello BF60,
The 316 Spool is removed by unscrewing the triangular drag knob. Once the drag knob is removed, you can pull the spool off the reel. Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Hi Kim,
I agree with Sandman; very early First Version from 1953 and quite hard to find in any condition. I have A01120 and A01381.
Kind Regards,
Chris

Hi Ted,
Your 330 Bail Trip went out in the mail today - should have it next week.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Hi Ted, I'm no expert on the Mitchell 330 but I have a number of them in my collection and have done some study on them. The black trip ramp on the baffle plate had a small stud on the bail trip (it was fixed, not a bearing/roller). The Black trip ramp had a much longer sweep and is 5/8" wide a...

Has anyone heard of this book and if so is it accurate? Then :text-nocomment: . The three were written in different periods of collecting. Knowledge was gained and contributed. All of Dennis' books are significant contributions to Mitchell Collectors so why don't you buy them all and make your own ...

There were three different ones - which one are you referring to.
Chris

Nobby, Please correct me If I'm wrong or missing something. Mates, Bailarm is observing the circular hole in the forward part of the guide plate but the common back part of the guide plate had raised wings the full length of the guide plate vice just the forward portion. This one is flat on the back...

Schrack, The 340 handle, for the 340 Main Gear(Part# 81179) will not fit on a 304 Main Gear, (Part# 81134) as the threaded shaft of the main gear is larger on the 340. I'm taking for granted that you are talking about the handle and not just the handle knob - the knobs are interchangeable. Regards, ...

Hello Don,
Your 204S was distributed by Browning and was the last of the 204's in 1981 - 1982, Maybe 83. Nice reel and hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Chris

Schrack, Like Ted asked, it sounds like you have a Mitchell 300 with a high-speed handle and a torpedo knob. There was never a high-speed Mitchell 300 - Those were the Mitchell Rapid / 350 but they never had a "High Speed" handle with a torpedo knob. The Mitchell Rapid / 350 look exactly l...

Hi John,
This should be what you're looking for.

: CAP Schematic-Parts.jpg (170.48 KiB) Viewed 2396 times

Kind Regards,
Chris

Hi Baron2, None of the standard Mitchells have the clearance between the bail and your rod when using gloves. Like you, the Mitchell 304 is my favorite of all the Mitchells and growing up fishing in Maine, I had plenty of exposure to cold weather fishing. April 1'st was opening day of Trout season -...

Hi Mates, The earliest advertising for a 306 PUM (accessory) that I could find was from the 1963 Garcia Fishing Annual. That doesn't necessarily indicate that a Mitchell 306 was available as a PUM, but the accessory was available to convert it as such. 306 PUM.jpg 306 PUM 1.jpg Initially, I thought ...

Hi Mates, Kim and Dries are exactly correct. In addition to the aforementioned, the M34's and Prisu4 (European Distro Mitchell 340) also had green handles - as well as green bodies! M Series 340.jpg Strangely, the early 314/315s were all black handles/drag knobs and then the European Distro reels sh...

Hello Dries and Mates, Dries, a very nice looking combo and a great fish too! That looks like a European distribution Balzer rod in beautiful condition and obviously a very nice Mitchell 508. Is the 508 a Dual or a Garcia distro reel?? I have several 500 series Mitchell user reels (508, 500 and 510)...

Hello Mates, Several days ago I had the luxury of spending an evening in the Reel Room and while perusing the Christmas edition (Volume 2, Number 4) of Garcia's "THE SPIN FISHERMAN" from late 1954. New Book.jpg I came upon this advertisement which caught my eye. New Book 1.jpg So I decided...

Hello Mates, Simone, Bill, Ted and Scott, Thank you very much for such kind comments :text-thankyouyellow: . I have learned so much from all of you and our Mates over the years of being associated with the Mitchell Reel Museum, it always gives me pleasure to return the the favor and provide some kno...

Hello Christian,
Excellent detective work

.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Hello Christian, I always ask myself the question: what does the word "PILOT" mean in relation to a prototype or a precursor? I completely agree with you. I've heard the term "Pilot", "Transition", "Prototype" and "Regular Production" in reference to...

Hi Johnny, Prior to 1959 the 304 had planamatic gearing, then from 1959 through end of production it had crosswind gearing. The only difference between the 304S and the 304 is the engraving on the faceplate, the anti-reverse lever, the handle and the main gear. All of the parts on the 304 and 304S a...

Hi Mates, I have three of these Mitchell "Pilot" reels in my collection. Serial numbers are B23421 which I believe is from the first "run" of manufacture and B39524 and B39583 which I believe are from the second run. A serial number of B9XXXX may indicate a third run possibly????...

Hello Simone, Ted and Scott are exactly correct. These counterfeit boxes do make an appearance on the big auction site occasionally from a seller out of Canada. Below are examples of the counterfeit 300DL outer box on the left and the real, original 300DL outer box on the right. The left box I purch...

Congratulations Tracey!
That is a great find and a fantastic addition to any collection. I have yet to find the 306 in either the red X Box or the black X Box - Not a common reel/box combination. Very nice and thanks for sharing!

Kind Regards,
Chris

Hello Mates, Thank you Tracey, Don, Dries and Kim for the kind compliments. My Reel Room has been a labor of love. Johnny, Ten years ago I had a Garcia Mitchell 304 and a Garcia Mitchell 300 - Both gifts from my dad in the 1970s. I originally decided to start collecting around 2012 and built the cen...

Hi Tracey, I have a few. Reel Room.jpg Reel Room 1.jpg Reel Room 2.jpg At last count (it's been a while), a little over 400. I have at least one example of every model of the engraved reels Mitchell made, most all of the versions and most of the variations (ARCA, Balzer, Blackfish, KILT, Albatros et...

Hello Baron, Instead of trying the Mitchell Mates patience, I think you have piqued our interest! 8-) . Many of us truly enjoy a Mitchell challenge. It seems to me that the transfer gear is slightly cocked when looking at your re-assembly photos. I would recommend (as has been suggested) cleaning th...

Don,
That post was from "bailarm". He is a current member here and is a master Mitchell mechanic located in the UK. I'm sure he will check in or you could PM him. Hope all is well and the trout fishing is fine!

Kind Regards,
Chris

Hello Dries and Wallace, I'm looking forward to doing some research and comparisons with this reel. Last night was dedicated to disassembly, cleaning, documenting and reassembly. Dries, I think you are right that it's likely an extremely early Mitchell 351. I do know that Mitchell did make a RHW Rap...

Hi Dries,
A simply amazing Mitchell and obviously untouched since the onset of 1970's....as it should be. Thanks for sharing my Friend! Best wishes from NOVA.

Kind Regards,
Chris

Again Mates, Hopefully, by now I have your interest. This faceplate has both anti-reverse dog lugs positioned in it for both a 350 and a 351 which leads me to think that this faceplate started life as a 350 and then was converted to a 351 in the factory prior to painting and stamping. Also note the ...

Hello Mates, I received this Mitchell 351 5/1 today and have been very anxious to receive it. After my "Round Bodies", the 350's are my favorite reels to collect as they were never very popular and the manufacturing numbers reflected that. I have never seen an inverted Mitchell 351 before ...

Hello Christian, Your Prisu and "G" reels look identical to my Garcia Kingfisher "K" reels. :shock: Here is a New in the Box Garcia Kingfisher K25. Kingfisher K25.jpg There was no paperwork with the box and reel even though that doesn't necessarily indicate that there wasn't any,...

My "Best Find" isn't even a Reel! It is the Mitchell Part #808. This is the conversion kit to convert the Mitchell from a half-bail reel to a full bail reel: 808.jpg 808 1.jpg 808 2.jpg 808 3.jpg This is all original and new from the very early 1950's. I've only ever seen two of these and ...

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