Mitchell Reel Forum

Received a Garcia Mitchell 300 from a friend that works at the local dump.. knowing I collect everything to do with vintage fishing he saved it for me otherwise it may have been lost forever.. the only thing I have noticed is there are no serial Numbers where some of my other 300s have them.. how can I date (approximately) what year it was manufactured?.. thanks

Leland fisherman,
to the Mitchell Reel Museum.

The earliest model Mitchells, usually half-bails models, didn't have serial numbers. Then as demand grew Mitchell started putting serial numbers on the back of the reel body. They can be very hard to see sometimes. Then later they put the SN on the reel foot. Also, if the reel body was a replacement part it wouldn't have a serial number. I hope this helps as far as SN information, but if pictures were posted an approximate date could be given based on the reel features.

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Lealand fisherman,
According to my reference material, the "Made in France" was moved to the rear of the the housing around 1960. The the anti-reverse lever style was kept till around 1962 so I'd say you reel with no serial number was a sixth version reel made between 1960 and 1962. As always, my reference is Wallace Carney's book " The Mitchell Classic 300 Spinning Reel".

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Hello,

It's a nice reel, it won't take much to get it fishing, you can find out how right on this forum.

Congratulations on a great find,

Best wishes

Glen Simpson
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Thanks everyone for the information.. it'll probably end up in my collection hanging in my man cave with the rest of my vintage fishing Collection.. lures, rods and reels.. tight lines and good finds my new friends..