Mitchell Reel Forum

I just received a Garcia Mitchell Model 408 reel. When I tried to date it, I found that the serial number isn't right.
The serial number is 354438, but that is a 1960 number and the 408 wasn't made until 1663. I can send pictures a little later, I'm not able to from where I am.

Doug67,
to the Mitchell Reel museum.
Here is the dating chart for the 308 sized reels. If I'm correct, it looks like your reel would have been made in 1966. IMHO.

This schematic says number of reels per year. How is it you can date a reel by knowing how many where made per year?
Unless they started in 59 with serial number 1. As that what's going on?

Rob, welcome to the Mitchell Reel Museum!

Yes, that is what is going on. All the types of reels in the chart above were numbered sequentially, no matter the model number. A logical assumption would be that they started with #000001 in 1959, but no serial number below about #003000 has been discovered, so most agree the first 3000 or so were not stamped with serial numbers. These were 308 reels. The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the foot. In about 1975 the serial numbers were no longer sequential, but changed to different numbering convention that within itself provided date of manufacture.

We love photos. No larger than 750 pixels either direction.

Sandman

Well that's great. That means I have a few that are very early.
Thanks Rob C Fish

And we'd love to see them and know the serial numbers.

Sandman