Mitchell Reel Forum

Hi Wallace,
Maybe not as cool as the half bail I sent you pics of a couple months back but I just unearthed this one from the sands of time. Of note, I beleive the reason for the time capsule condition is someone removed the line guide on the bail and thus it could'nt be used. Box serial number matches reel foot #. Hope the pics speak for themselves.

UncleRonny,
Thanks for posting photos of a nice 6th version Mitchell 300.
Looks like someone was robing parts from it, because it is not only is missing the line guide, but the handle has been replaced with a much later version. If you can post a photo of the baffle plate, under the spool, we can tell if your reel has an anti-inertia brake which reappeared right about this time.
Kind Regards,
Bill

Thanks Bill,
Yes I thought it to be a later handle as well. Here's a photo of the reel with removed spool...

UncleRonny,
Thanks for posting another great photo of your reel.
I can see that your baffle plate was made just prior to the return of the anti-inertia brake, which Mitchell removed and then brought back. Your bail, from what I can make out, has a step which was soon replaced by a notch (part of the bail release) on the 6th version reels.
Will you keep this reel or pass it on?
Kind Regards,
Bill

Think I'm gonna hang onto this one for a while as I doubt I will ever find one that tops this. I include here a better shot of the bail for your perspicatious perusal. I took all these photos with my phone for what it's worth. I can't beleive how old it makes me feel to say I take pictures with a phone considering my extensive B/W experience as a kid around the time this reel was new!

UncleRonny,
Another nice close-up.

You can easily find a replacement line guide screw (12/81053) and line guide (13/81052) on the on-line auction sites.

By the way, your Styrofoam insert in the box bottom is upside down, the spool and case go behind the reel.

Kind Regards,
Bill

No wonder I can't get all that stuff back in the box. I was gonna enquire if anyone taught a class on this seeing as some kind of advanced pretzel logic appears to be necessary. Thanks for setting me straight.