Mitchell Reel Forum

Hi everyone.

About 8 years ago, I was given an old Mitchell 300.

I’ve done as much research as I can, but it’s still hard for me to get an idea of how old this reel actually is.

I’m going to add some pictures. There is no Garcia printed anywhere on the reel. I do have the ‘Made in France’ stamped on the side.

There appears to be a single digit on the bottom of the foot. My best guess is that is a 6 or 9, depending on the orientation you’re looking at. But is hard to tell as there is a chip in the paint right at the center of the number.

Anyways, if anyone can help me out and provide some insight, that would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Nate,

Use some light oil and a toothbrush and clean the serial number stamp shown below. Get as many numbers as you can read and post your findings here. We will go from there...

Best Regards, Wallace

Wow, I would have sworn that I looked that reel in every corner, and you’ve got a better eye than me, looking through a camera.

Will do, I’ll update as soon as I can get to that

I would like to thank Wallace, because his sharp eye caught these numbers.

I swear I’ve spent hours looking this reel up and down, left and right.

Anyways, I scrubbed it with some light oil and an old toothbrush.

Found the number as pictured.

I can definitely say the number starts with a 1 or and capitol i

The serial number, to my knowledge is
1 4 5 6 (8 or 3) 0 2

I can’t capture whether that is an 8 or 3 in a picture, it looks to me like an 8, but an incomplete etch.

Thanks again for your time. Let me know what you think

Nate, I'm glad to help. That's why we're here. That looks like a 3 to me but it really doesn't matter.

Go to https://mitchellreelmuseum.com/dating-m ... l-numbers/ and tell us what is the approximate year this reel was made using serial number 1456302. Let us know what you find out.

Regards, Wallace

PS: I need to remove some of your images that are way too big and not needed. Please reduce your images to 750 pixels wide to help me keep track of total image sizes. Too much and it will stop loading. Tanks

According to that post that you linked me to, I would have to assume that this reel was manufactured in 1956.

Unless I’m missing something.

Dear Nate,

You are correct my new Mitchell Mate but to cover your butt, say Circa 1956 which means it could be the year before or the year after. So 1955 to 1957 or to make it easier just say circa 1956. Did that make any sense I hope? Let us know if you need further assistance.

Best Regards, Wallace