Mitchell Reel Forum

Purchased one off of EBay, Early Mitchell, unpacked it and about freaked out.
For $15.50 got a B82135, which according to Wallace's Ser.# list is rare.
Needed a good cleaning found a large amount of hair wrapped around gears?
Replaced bail spring, noticed things a little different inside, but did have metal gears.
It is a little rough on out side, will go nice on a nice St Croix I have been saving.
Also had a small Aluminum Spool.
Made my night.

I'm chuffed for you mate! Such a joy to come across these gems.

Thank You! Noticed something else different Transfer Gear has small gear on back side.
Reel cleaned up great and functions as it should, still a tad stiff, but could be from not being used in a while.
I Love bringing these back to life, more fun than fixing Large Aircraft.

Schrack,
Sounds like a reasonable price for a 300, but the serial number along doesn't define the reel as "rare".
You may be referring to some Wallace's statements about the "Pilot Reel". There are several requirements that a reel must meet to be one of those prized reels.
That's where Wallace's book would come in handy. It covers all the things that are unique to the "Pilot".

When I'm out looking at old reels, the two things that make me think "Pilot" are the metal knob on a full bail reel, and the small hole in the baffle plate. Those are clues that a reel might be a pilot, and not a mishmash of several reels.
The small hole in the baffle plate makes it a surer bet than the metal knob.

If I've misunderstood what you were describing, I apologize for that.

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Schrack wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 7:11 am Purchased one off of EBay, Early Mitchell, unpacked it and about freaked out.
For $15.50 got a B82135, which according to Wallace's Ser.# list is rare.......

Schrack,
I just reviewed Wallaces Dating Guide and I did not see where he indicates that S/N: B82135 is a rare reel. Is this where you read this?
Kind Regards,
Bill

Roger Dat has small hole, and the transfer gear is quite different than any I have seen.
Personally I do not care, I use these Reels because they are Best Reel ever made.
I keep them clean and do not abuse them.
Have Loved Mitchell's since 1956, my first was just marked Mitchell paid $29.50 at Hardest Sporting Goods Lock Haven, Pa.
Would still have it if Parents would have not given it away when I joined the Air Force in 63.

You can read my post where I present the highest and lowest number I have found.

Forum: Question to the Mitchell reel museum

Post: Mitchell 4° version.

Baschirotto Simone

Dating Mitchell Classic Egg Shaped Reels Posted April 17, 2009 4:37pm Page 2.
1950/52 last sentence.
Excuse me if it is not rare, I use them to fish with, not look at.
It works great, and had all metal gears.
N fact caught an8# Channel Cat this morning with it.
Enough about the mouse!!!!!!!!!

Schrack wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:06 pm Thank You! Noticed something else different Transfer Gear has small gear on back side.
Reel cleaned up great and functions as it should, still a tad stiff, but could be from not being used in a while.
I Love bringing these back to life, more fun than fixing Large Aircraft.

Purchased one off of EBay, Early Mitchell, unpacked it and about freaked out.
For $15.50 got a B82135, which according to Wallace's Ser.# list is rare.

Schrack,
Is this what you are referring to?

From:
Mitchell Reel Museum - Mitchell Mates Discussion Group
http://www.mitchellreelmuseum.com/forum/
Dating Mitchell Classic Egg-Shape Reels
http://www.mitchellreelmuseum.com/forum ... ?f=77&t=22
Page 1 of 3
______________________________________
Author: Wallace Carney [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:37 am ]
Post subject: Dating Mitchell Classic Egg-Shape Reels
________________________________________

1950/52 – SN “A, B & C” Prefixes are found on 3rd Versions but again another anomaly occurred; Test or “Pilot” 4th Version full bails were made on what I currently believe on two runs. The first run was found with serial number B29598 and the second with #B49681 or about 20,000 reels later. Between these two numbers I’ve documented regular 3rd versions with serial numbers as low as #B32817 and as high as #B42156. Besides the serial number, they are easy to document as authentic with very unique parts within the Head including the Baffle Plate. These are also extremely rare!!!

This paragraph is referring to what we call "Pilot" reels as Ted has already referred to. These reels were well documented in the former version of the Mitchell Reel Museum which are rare but not other Mitchell 300 reels with serial numbers beginning with the B letter prefix.

Your transfer gear sounds quite interesting. Could you possibly post a photograph of it?

Kind Regards,
Bill

P.S. Thank you for your service.

If I can figure out how to do photo thing will post, or enlist the help of my Grand Daughter

I saved a couple of Wallace's images of the 'pilot' reels when the old site was still up.

It had an image of the unique baffle plate these reels had, with a strange off-set hole:
And if you do, at any time, dismantle the reel the pilots have this unusual rotor head with no casting allowances to be machined for left hand wind:
Images by Wallace Carney, over-lays in red by me

That's it!
Transfer gear is different also, when I get some time will take a photo and try to post it.

Schrack,
Did you compare yours to Simone's on his post? viewtopic.php?f=5&t=57&sid=84dc1fbf8809 ... 08f2959ff4

Ted Lanham

Roger Dat same thing!

OK after all this what do I have???????????

Schrack,
If your reel matches the one pictured at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=57&sid=84dc1fbf8809 ... 08f2959ff4 then you have the reel they are discussing. It's a good one either to set on a shelf, or fish.

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Schrack wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 8:56 pm OK after all this what do I have???????????

Schrack,
You are keeping us all in suspense, how about some pics?
Kind Regards,
Bill

Do not know how to do the pic thing.
It is the same as the one you told me to look at.
I know it works great and catches fish.

Hello,

Attached are two photos of two rotating heads with the same details as those shown by Bailarm.
The reels have serial number B33887 and B97950.
The rotatind head of the B97950 is in my opinion rarer, indication "FRANCE".
Best regards,
Christian

I am by no means certain, but some of the parts in an 808 conversion kit had France stamped on them. Simplex, might your rotor marked 'France' perhaps be from one of those kits?

This is the kit made for Garcia and the US market that converted a half-bail reel to a full bail reel for those who haven't heard of an 808. I'd dearly love one, but no luck so far here in the UK


I do have such a reel here, I believe...the rotor clearly has paint from another time to the body and side cover. I shall dismantle it to see if the rotor bears the word 'France', certainly the spool and handle do!

So, yet another 'pilot' reel has turned up. Congratulations Shrack, despite another being identified, they are still very rare indeed.

This is the 808 replacement presented by Chris Shannon, I see it has different characteristics.
I believe that the reel described by Christian is very rare.
The tallest Pilot I own has a number B95340! very close to Christian's but mine doesn't have "FRANCE" on the rotor, this comparison can be proof of a very low production as Christian assumes.
But I wonder if Nobby has seen older, different 808 parts than Chris?

Hello simone

Thank you for posting this image which shows that the rotating head is not the same as mine
I have another 4th model which in my opinion is older than the pilot, with additional characteristics, but on the old site the specialists told me that it was not a pilot because it was not had no serial number, only a letter on the foot.
Since collecting I have found two reels like the one I am talking about, I sold one many years ago to a reputable collector.
Best regards,
Christian
PS: maybe one day I will put the pictures of this reel back on this site

Very interesting Christian!
Can you tell us if this also had mark no.7 inside the housing?
Cordiali saluti,
Simone

Hello Simone,
Yes N°7 inside inside housing.
best regards,
Christian

Ok took apart, this one is different does not have 6 dimples.
Face plate has hole and striker as screw like head.
B 82135 is Ser. #.
Had plastic gear, which I replaced.
Reel works smooth .

Correction, this Reel had all Metal gears, the C had the plastic.

Looking at all photos, the 808 head is like the one on reel, it does not have the 6 dimples.
Also has Aulm. Spool.
What ever it is functions fine.

Thanks to Christian for the reply!
Thanks also to Schrack for the new information

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????

In the Mitchell 808 conversion, all of the parts except the handle are stamped FRANCE.
Kind Regards,
Chris

I did not see France on head, well at 230am and several beers I could have missed it.
out side of that mine is identical to your photo.

Hello Chris,

Thank you for posting the pictures of the 808 kit.
The indication "FRANCE" is not in the same place as that of my rotating head which is also different from that of the kit.
I always ask myself the question: what does the word "PILOT" mean in relation to a prototype or a precursor?
Best regards,
Christian

Thank everyone, for the time and trouble.
I know I got a good deal.

Hello Christian,

Simplex wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 5:49 am 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 these reels. I think the only reference term I disagree with is "Regular Production" because of the differences in these reels and the regular production 4th Version Mitchells. They are definitely different and hard to find.

Kind regards,
Chris

Hello,
I have two other reels with the characteristics of "Pilot" but they do not have a serial number.
One of the two with the metal crank handle, the short foot.
The second has the classic crank handle and the long leg.
The short foot is found on the 3rd models without SN and on some SN "A"
The long foot begins with most "A" SNs.
So these two types of stand are used just before the 4th SN "B" models
Why wouldn't Mitchell have used these feet which were in stock to produce the very first 4th model without putting an SN and then making them with the letter "B".

These are just guesses, by no means assertions, that I am submitting to members of the MNR.
All opinions are welcome, whether contradictory or not contradictory
I found three reels of this type, two of which have an aluminum handle (I sold one a few years ago), all bought at a flea market from private sellers at more than fair prices. It was the time when one did not seek to make a profit by scheming the reels.
Best regards, Christian