Search found 28 matches

by Altex
Tue Sep 10, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: Old cap version e Mitchell spinning analisi fusioni
Replies: 23
Views: 9712

Re: Old cap version e Mitchell spinning analisi fusioni

Dear Paul,

I have enjoyed discussing this matter with you and Marc. Your special insight into CAP means we now have a very good idea of how the CAP2 came into being and how Carpano et Pons began manufacture after WW2.

Warm regards,

Rolands.
by Altex
Fri Sep 06, 2024 6:34 am
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: Old cap version e Mitchell spinning analisi fusioni
Replies: 23
Views: 9712

Re: Old cap version e Mitchell spinning analisi fusioni

Bonjour Paul, Your post is very interesting and I have some information for you. I have carried out research into the early years of the CAP and Mitchell reels. The first CAP reel was made around 1939 and called CAP2. I found several examples of this reel including one in the original box. The desig...
by Altex
Wed Jul 19, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: What does the S stand for
Replies: 13
Views: 15947

Re: What does the S stand for

Excellent, definitive post.
by Altex
Mon Jul 17, 2023 6:53 am
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: What does the S stand for
Replies: 13
Views: 15947

Re: What does the S stand for

I can't help as I don't have examples of these reels.

Clearly, Carpano thought they were different and Joy van Hengst highlighted a small difference.

If I had these reels, I would look at the gears and check diameters and the number of teeth.
by Altex
Sun Jul 16, 2023 9:45 am
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: What does the S stand for
Replies: 13
Views: 15947

Re: What does the S stand for

According to the production records, the "S" suffix was used on several models including the 300, 400, 306 and 308 from 1982 -86. These reels all had a skirted spool. The "S" suffix was used on the 304 from 1970 -73 and this reel was made alongside the regular 304 for just over 2...
by Altex
Tue Apr 18, 2023 6:41 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: MK.1 reel on Ebay.
Replies: 6
Views: 6907

Re: MK.1 reel on Ebay.

Dear John, I agree that it is good to see this reel make a decent price as it indicates that the hobby is back in good health. Prices have been subdued over the last 10 years or so but the last 3 sales I know of have been at what I consider to be realistic prices. This is good for the hobby as reali...
by Altex
Fri Apr 14, 2023 6:46 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: MK.1 reel on Ebay.
Replies: 6
Views: 6907

MK.1 reel on Ebay.

Anyone looking for a nice MK1 reel could check with Ebay France.

Listing number 256039426600 is for a nice reel being offered by a leading French collector.

It's well worth a look.
by Altex
Mon Apr 10, 2023 6:42 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: When was my reel made?
Replies: 12
Views: 11775

Re: When was my reel made?

Dear John, Dating reels has been a thorny subject for a long time and perhaps adds a little spice to the hobby. Personally I dislike the unpleasantness that there has been in the past. Having researched the subject thoroughly, I have my own views and others are free to believe what they wish. I supp...
by Altex
Sun Apr 09, 2023 4:51 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: When was my reel made?
Replies: 12
Views: 11775

Re: When was my reel made?

As Bill rightly points out there are different views on dating and there has been a good deal of confusion and controversy. I very much appreciate and agree with the tone of Bill's comments : there is no reason for people to fall out over this. George Saul and I spent a good deal of time researching...
by Altex
Thu Apr 06, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early spool notches
Replies: 8
Views: 9210

Re: Early spool notches

Dear John, Your spool seems to have a flat base and release knob with flattish top so I think it is early and originated with a late MK1 or a MK2 reel. I can't see a spacer. As you say, the notch was used inconsistently and was eventually phased out, so it couldn't have been regarded as important. I...
by Altex
Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early spool notches
Replies: 8
Views: 9210

Re: Early spool notches

Dear John, The notches are not something I had ever considered, but your query prompted me to look through what I have here. I am no wiser!! I have several of the first spools which incorporate a spacer, and none of these are notched. This made me wonder if the notch was to indicate that a spacer wa...
by Altex
Tue Apr 04, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: Anyone Have Schmetic for: 300A-1985-88-89?
Replies: 10
Views: 12477

Re: Anyone Have Schmetic for: 300A-1985-88-89?

As a matter of interest I attach schematics dated 1977, 1980 and 1986.
by Altex
Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:56 am
Forum: Mitchell History Discussions
Topic: Mitchell Reel Collectors Chronicles (MRCC)
Replies: 8
Views: 9171

Re: Mitchell Reel Collectors Chronicles (MRCC)

The book that you show by Dennis Roberts is a 2 volume set of which 12 copies were produced for friends of Dennis. It was never offered for sale by DR. It was intended to be a living 3 volume set, but this never happened. I am fortunate to own one set, which originally belonged to Barry Frewing. A g...
by Altex
Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:03 am
Forum: Mitchell History Discussions
Topic: Mitchell Factory Calendar
Replies: 4
Views: 7743

Re: Mitchell Factory Calendar

In his book "Les Moulinets Mitchell" published in 1999 Luc de Medts wrote "l'annee comptable commencait au 1/09 pour se terminer au 30/09" : the accounting year started on 1/09 and ended on 30/09. I have found no evidence to support this suggestion. If the year began on 1/09 it w...
by Altex
Sun Nov 13, 2022 10:29 am
Forum: Mitchell History Discussions
Topic: Book review -"The early years of the Mitchell fishing reel .
Replies: 6
Views: 10368

Re: Book review -"The early years of the Mitchell fishing reel .

Dear John, Paul and Simone (I nearly wrote George and Ringo !!),

I'm very pleased that you enjoyed the book and found it informative.

My very best wishes to you for your future collecting. If I can ever be of assistance, please let me know.

Warm regards,

Rolands Babulis.
by Altex
Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:40 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

Dear John,

The signature rod which Edward sold was one of mine !! He's sold most of my cane rods. I'm in my seventies so it's time to let some things go.

I will be looking at early Mitchells next.

Yes, email me and I might be able to help you and Paul on the book front.

Regards,

Rolands.
by Altex
Tue Nov 01, 2022 5:46 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

Dear John, The email is a mystery. I used an address for you from memory and as neither was returned to me I assumed you received them. Let's put it behind us. All collectors have to prioritise when it comes to making buying decisions. I agree that most Mitchell books are far too expensive, but they...
by Altex
Tue Nov 01, 2022 5:28 pm
Forum: Questions to The Mitchell Reel Museum
Topic: Fair Traded on Boxes
Replies: 7
Views: 6086

Re: Fair Traded on Boxes

My friend Mike DiMattio suggests in his book that Fair Traded was stamped on boxes sent to the US until 1958.

John Fishkat figured it all out when we did some joint research several years back. I don't have the detail to hand now, but it was a trading arrangement that resulted from WW2.
by Altex
Mon Oct 31, 2022 5:53 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

My first line was jocular, note the exclamation marks. I have been the subject of hostility for several years hence my remarks. You clearly copied my post before I edited it. You will note that the final paragraph was removed because I thought you might take it the wrong way. A new collector can be ...
by Altex
Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:54 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

You are welcome to have a dig at me !! this has been going on for over 5 years, so I am used to it. The words prototype, test and pilot are in common usage and there are dictionary definitions. A prototype would not be made in large numbers and sold to the public. As a serious collector I own and ha...
by Altex
Mon Oct 31, 2022 11:47 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

What exactly is a prototype? One dictionary definition is "One of the first units manufactured of a product which is tested so that the design can be changed if necessary before the product is manufactured commercially". This is how I think of a prototype : others may disagree. I recall De...
by Altex
Mon Oct 31, 2022 8:08 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

I also have 2 of the very first "B" numbered hoop bails complete with required rotors and baffle plates. Both have the normal pitch angle. One has the long stem; the other the short stem. I have never seen any evidence to suggest that the first "B" numbered hoops were anything ot...
by Altex
Sun Oct 30, 2022 5:04 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)
Replies: 22
Views: 15285

Re: Early Mitchell changes ? ( angle of attack)

A group of us looked into these changes a couple of years back. The stem was increased in length from roughly 2 - 2.25 inches on some MK3 reels shortly before serial numbers were introduced : probably late 1951.The change was introduced gradually as moulds were renewed, so both lengths were used sim...
by Altex
Wed Oct 26, 2022 7:42 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Cover plate foundry markings
Replies: 32
Views: 31713

Re: Cover plate foundry markings

Dear Simone,

Many thanks for the kind comments and I am pleased that you found the book useful.

Warm regards,

Rolands.
by Altex
Sun Oct 23, 2022 3:25 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Cover plate foundry markings
Replies: 32
Views: 31713

Re: Cover plate foundry markings

Yes, for my sins. The book is 180 pages with 450 photos and illustrations. Limited to 25 copies, some of which are already sold. Inevitably the book has needed regular revision as new information has come to light. That said, I have no plans to print any more. Returning to the question of spools, I ...
by Altex
Sun Oct 23, 2022 6:50 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Cover plate foundry markings
Replies: 32
Views: 31713

Re: Cover plate foundry markings

There is a lot of pleasure to be had from collecting and studying early Mitchell reels and I envy those new to the hobby : you have a lot of fun ahead of you. I would just mention that the third edition of "The Early Years Of The Mitchell Fishing Reel" is now available in limited quantity....
by Altex
Sat Oct 22, 2022 6:55 am
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Cover plate foundry markings
Replies: 32
Views: 31713

Re: Cover plate foundry markings

Dear Bill, I agree with you entirely. In my opinion the very first spools have a spacer and 24 teeth on the clicker gear and this is what I would expect to find with an early first reel. However, as you rightly point out other permutations can exist because we are talking about mass produced items w...
by Altex
Fri Oct 21, 2022 4:39 pm
Forum: Mitchell Reel Talk
Topic: Cover plate foundry markings
Replies: 32
Views: 31713

Re: Cover plate foundry markings

The first spools are easily identified. The clicker gear has 24 teeth as opposed to 20 on later spools. The first spools were too short and a spacer ring had to be incorporated. Collectors need to classify reels for the purpose of identifying rarity, desirability and value. The easiest way is to gro...