Glossary of Mitchell Reel Museum

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on Conventional Reels was first used in 1966 on some 600 Series Mitchell reels that were specially designed for saltwater casting.

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from

Charles Garcia & Company, Inc. (1947 - 1955) – The Garcia Corporation (1955 – 1978) - Exclusive distributor of Mitchell for The United States and Canada. Garcia was not originally the Canadian distributor. There was an independent importer working under control of Ets Impecco Paris. This became bothersome at one stage, and then Garcia took control of CDN. Garcia became the owner of Mitchell in June, 1974 and then sold it back to Carpano & Pons in 1977. Garcia Tackle Ltd was the name used for the Impecco subsidiary to distribute Mitchell in the UK. We got license from Garcia to do this. It was not ever a Garcia Europe though, purely British. (Updated October 5th, 2008 by JP Gumprich)

 

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

See Pro Africa.

Exclusive importer and distributor of Mitchell for the Netherlands.

First used on the 300 series on the last half bail versions (

 

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">A – C). It was then used on the first version 302 series half bails and full bails (

 

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">A – D). All serial numbers were then changed to numeric numbers only up to 1970. In 1971 the alphanumeric serial numbers returned through the 1988/89 Season. The letters

 

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">A – T were used with the exception of the letters I and O as not to be confused with the numbers 1 and 0.

This abbreviation first appeared for the Mitchell 300 series reels in factory texts when the changeover was made from the Half Bail or "AM" as it was designated to the Full Bail or "AP" as it was designated. You will not see “AM” used in text after the early fifties.

See Wedge Sticker.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">Special celebratory reels made by Mitchell to commemorate the anniversary of The Mitchell Reel or in some cases, the anniversary of

 

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">a specific reel. Due to many factors such as loss of all old records; we find that

Even Numbered Mitchell Reel Model Numbers were Right Hand RH models as opposed to Odd model numbers being Left Hand LH. Example: The 300 (RH) verses the 301 (LH) models.

 

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">even as of today very few of these are correct but still highly prized collectables.

This abbreviation first appeared in 1952 for the Mitchell 300 series reels in factory texts when the changeover was made from the open Half Bail (finger pick up or AM as is was designated in French) to the Full Bail. Mitchell distinguished this change – and improvement – by the name “Anse de Panier”  (AP for short) which in French language means “basket handle”.  This term seemed appropriate to help potential buyers understand the change. You will see “AP” used in text and schematics for many decades. This is not to be confused with the AP Suffix on model numbers. (Updated October 5th, 2008 by JP Gumprich)

The "AP" suffix after

 

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">a reel's model number was first used in 1966 on some 600A Series Mitchell reels that were specially designed for saltwater casting but with

 

The letter "A" Suffix after model numbers on some Mitchell spinning reels marks the transitional period away from Garcia (USA) involvement with Mitchell in 1978 along with other transitions to the looks and mechanics of these same reels.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">a plastic (

The P Letter Suffix on Conventional Mitchell Reels was first used in 1963 on the original 600 Series Mitchell reels that were specially designed for saltwater casting but with a plastic (P) spool.

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Read More..." class="glosFixedPopover">P) spool.  This is not to be confused with the AP text.

Exclusive importer and distributor of Mitchell for Belgium.