Mitchell Reel Forum

I was at a flea market today, and saw this reel. I'm wondering if anyone knows what it is, thought it may be some kind of Mitchell.

Don309,
I've seen a lot of the French made Luxor reels over the years. They appear to be pretty will made reels, but I just never like the way they felt in my hand. Why, I can't say. ORCA has some information on their site about these reels by a man from Belgium at this link. https://reeltalk.orcaonline.org/viewtopic.php?t=4421

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Found this:

Thanks guy's I was just curious.

Hello Don and Wallace,
Here is the Spinning Booklet from my collection that is depicted in the advertisement that Wallace provided. While I don't collect LUXOR or Bache Brown (AIREX) reels, the copyright on this booklet from 1941 would indicate that they were very early in Spin Fishing evolution. Kind Regards,
Chris

Mates,
I must say that it's very nice to be sitting here in my Reel Room and back to perusing and posting in the Mitchell Reel Museum again....It's good to be home with you Mates - Thank you very much Wallace!
Best Regards,
Chris

I have a nice collection of the first Luxor reels and their boxes produced by Bache Brown in the USA. Normally they were made in France, but the war had started so Bache, who was an early promoter of the spinning method in the US, produced these reels. My research indicates these were first offered for sale in 1941 in the USA, before December 7, 1941 (when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor). I think they were no longer produced in France during the war, unless there is info I have not uncovered. Dan

Hey Dan,

That's very interesting history. Thanks, Wallace

Some information here:

https://reeltalk.orcaonline.org/viewtopic.php?t=4421


Pezon et Michel are the most famous French tackle makers.....after Mitchell. I have an idea that the later Crack reels were made in the same Arve valley as Mitchells.

Bache Brown first acquired Luxors from his friend in France and distributed them to clients in the US. These French produced reels were all black in color. When the war in Europe started, he couldn't get the reels anymore and obtained permission to manufacture them in the USA. His Luxors had chrome plated rotating heads, unlike the French versions. One version was made before the war and 2 versions were made after the war. Then he dealt with Airex and labeled them Mastereels. They kept the chrome plated head. Dan

For $10 I would have hopped on that sale some Quick!!!

Glen.