Mitchell 300 made in Taiwan

[hunterchub]

I have a Mitchell 300. Made in Taiwan. Gold letters. Red trim. I need a bail assembly. Where can I find parts. Where is the serial number. Can't figure out how to post photo. Help?

[GreatLaker]

I have a Mitchell 300. Made in Taiwan. Gold letters. Red trim. I need a bail assembly. Where can I find parts. Where is the serial number. Can't figure out how to post photo. Help?

hunterchub, Welcome to the Mitchell Reel Museum forum!

We have a post to help with posting images:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56&sid=27a33db1cc36 ... 2437e46076
Hopefully this will help.

Regarding your reel, sounds like you have one of the later Mitchell 300 reels. After around 1988/89, reel production was moved from France, to the pacific rim, for manufacture. These reels no longer have serial numbers and only a few collectors are interested in them, so at the moment, are very hard to date.
As for the bail assembly, parts were sold as kits (everything needed for complete bail) or individual bail parts. Finding the correct bail for your reel would be difficult, even for collectors, as the parts were sometimes changed (improved), but the part numbers were not. The good news is that as far as the later 300 model goes, all parts with the correct part number will work, regardless of when the reel was made.
You can find kits and individual parts, in both new and used condition, on the big auction site.
If you post some good photos of your reel, I will help with the part numbers for your reel.
Kind Regards,
Bill

[SGTMAJ 62]

[attachment=0]Resize_20240404_210420_0936.jpg[/attachment
Here is the schematic for your reel.The part number you need is in the diagram (82010). Look on EBAY for your bail. If you can’t find one hit me back and I might be able to help you further.
All the best
SGTMAJ62

[GreatLaker]

SGTMAJ 62,
The 300A reels were all made in France.
Kind Regards,
Bill

[Schrack]

I bought one new and piece that holds spring broke, made of plastic.
I replaced it with old bail system and reel works great.
Called Mitchell and asked about parts, they said not available.
When I told them about mymod, the tech got a bit pi#$%&.
He said you should not modify the reels.
As far as affecting operation, made reel function better.

[GreatLaker]

I bought one new and piece that holds spring broke, made of plastic.
I replaced it with old bail system and reel works great.
Called Mitchell and asked about parts, they said not available.
When I told them about mymod, the tech got a bit pi#$%&.
He said you should not modify the reels.
As far as affecting operation, made reel function better.

Sorry Schrack, I don't understand what you are talking about. I am not aware of any Mitchell 300 with a plastic spring holder? Can you post a photo?
I am not sure who you called but Mitchell went out of business years ago. All that remains is the old brand name "Mitchell" which is used by a completely different company.
Kind Regards,
Bill

[allansharkey]

Good to see so many helpful people still around, the Taiwan 300 is a poor cheaply made reel which was why it came about when Mitchell were struggling in the late 80s, the gears frequently broke up even on lightly used reels, the old 300A gear sets work as a good replacement, the bail arms come in various types, including the later 300A three part type and the later 300A roller type, I mainly use them for spares, except the body which has Taiwan embossed on it, if you bought one when you was young you probably have good memories of them and want to keep using it, they can be kept going from the older 300A Mitchell parts better replaced as a set, I got caught out a few times with these reels and was surprised when I sorted out the problems how well they sold on eBay, so they do have a value to the younger collectors i.e. 50s, I am a UK restorer in my 70s, Allan

[GreatLaker]

Allen,
Many people are confused about the later Mitchell reels that were produced. Few realize that Mitchell S.A, (Mitchell of France), went bankrupt in July of 1981. This was after Garcia's bankruptcy in 1978. In 1977, before Garcia's bankruptcy, Mitchell launched the Mitchell 300A models. There were two (of the 7 versions) of the 300A which had the Garcia name on them, the double red band and the double silver band. The next two versions of the 300A were distributed by Browning, then another version between Browning and the take over of Mitchell Sports. Mitchell Sports then put out two more versions of the 300A and then production of the 300A ended in 1988/89. (Seven versions of the 300A in all)

Mitchell 300A reels made after 1981 were not made by Mitchell (S.A.) of France. The decision to make Mitchell 300 reels in the Pacific Rim, which happened years later, was made by Mitchell Sports not Mitchell S.A. Of course, when Mitchell Sports took over they acquired the Mitchell name or more specifically the Mitchell brand name. The new non-300A reels called just "Mitchell 300" went through many changes and looked more like the Mitchell 300A reels than the older Mitchell 300 reels.

The story does not end there but I won't go into that now except for a few words regarding the new Mitchell 300 reels.

Good to see so many helpful people still around, the Taiwan 300 is a poor cheaply made reel which was why it came about when Mitchell were struggling in the late 80s, the gears frequently broke up even on lightly used reels, the old 300A gear sets work as a good replacement, the bail arms come in various types, including the later 300A three part type and the later 300A roller type, I mainly use them for spares, except the body which has Taiwan embossed on it, if you bought one when you was young you probably have good memories of them and want to keep using it, they can be kept going from the older 300A Mitchell parts better replaced as a set, I got caught out a few times with these reels and was surprised when I sorted out the problems how well they sold on eBay, so they do have a value to the younger collectors i.e. 50s, I am a UK restorer in my 70s, Allan

Allen, I am sorry but I can't agree with your statements. What you call the "Taiwan 300" did not come out until after the end of the Mitchell 300A production around 1989/90. Most of these reels were made in the 1990's and on. As I mentioned earlier, Mitchell of France was gone after 1981 and was not struggling. These dates are well documented.
Some of the first Mitchell 300 I.N.O. (In Name Only) reels were made in Taiwan but production soon shifted to main-land China.

Saying that the reels were cheaply made is inaccurate. The design was sound as any Mitchell 300 user can tell you and the new M8 gear system (Introduce in 1977) was also very well received. I do agree that the new owners were experimenting with new gear materials and had years before switched from cut gears to cast gears which in itself requires different materials. But as the experiments with different gear materials went on each had it's pluses and minuses.

As far as bails go all Mitchell 300A reels have roller line guides and these evolved as the 300A reels went on. The first two versions have one piece bails with roller line guides. Collectors will recognize these as they are very similar to the old 300C bails with roller line guides. These are the two with Garcia's name on them. When Browning took over they went to what is known as a 5 piece bail which has a stainless steel bail wire. This was an entirely new design. As the 300A evolved so did the design of the 5 piece bail and many changes were made. Although there were changes made to the bail arms the basic design and appearance did not change and there was only one type. This bail system received very good acceptance.

The Mitchell 300 you call the "Taiwan 300" had a die cast aluminum housing, rotor, and cover plate, just as all former Mitchell 300 and 300A reels have. The paint was an improved formula and they are triple coated to prevent corrosion. Your statement regarding the embossed writing on the foot is not accurate. The marking on the bottom of the reel foot was cast into the metal, never embossed. Various markings were placed on the bottom of the reel foot and eventually one did read MITCHELL TAIWAN, but after numerous iterations and then changed again.

The rest of your comments are your opinion and you are entitled to yours the same as anyone else. The reason for my comments are only to try and make known some of the facts which are lesser known during the later days of the Mitchell 300.
Kind Regards,
Bill