Mitchell Reel Forum

Thanks Dean, I’ll be waiting for your assessment and I think you are on the right track with the color!

Thanks,
Wallace

Hi Syd, The simple answer is yes they are as you described however, any time you want to compare similar Mitchell reels, like 400 vs 410, go to a schematic of each reel. The bearings you speak of will be shown and as far as any parts being compatible, if they have the same exact part number, then ye...

:twocents-mytwocents: Mr Fish, Please study what I’ve said about serial numbers being used to help determine what year a reel was created and you’ll see me say that my study helps you determine the years your serial number was created. Now you need to understand the following: First and foremost, wh...

YOUR REPLY TO CHRIS: Well you make it sound like I have to take you're word for it. I can't prove what it is either way. YOUR REPLY TO SCOTT: Uh Scott. When is the last time you had your eyes checked. So please in the future Scott, do not ever call me or suggest that I am lying about anything that ...

I just re-joined the group. The website has changed since I was here last. I can't find any pictures? I came across this older post asking about the First version half bail. I am pretty sure I have one. I contacted the website when I was putting it back together. That was around 10 or 15 years ago....

Hi Bill, Just here seeing if there's any problems and saw your post...

Here's what I see: post by GreatLaker » Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:09 pm

Did you see something different?

Thanks my friend,
Wallace

Hi there Kevin, I saw where you had these in another topic. It’s kind of you to offer these in PDF, to anyone who wants them. I also saw what you said the styles were too large to post on the website, especially in a group! If you would be so kind, please try to post these on this thread and then te...

Hello gentlemen, I just wanted to say to each one of you, but I think he did a wonderful job posting and responding! It just can’t get any better than this! Paul, I will tell you directly how impressed I am with your restoration work! I have done a few half bail restorations myself, so I know how mu...

I see a Really nice job by everyone involved in this thread! Just wanted to say thanks to everyone involved! Regards, Wallace

Hello my dear friends, I have some important news for all members but I’m still finalizing a few details but please stand by! I’m sure you will find it to your liking! Thanks, Wallace

Hello my friend! Is there a way you could do an article with all this valuable information that must be saved? I’ve discovered that Word documents work the best. When finished, I will post this in our new groups “file” folder naming you as the author naturally. I created this group to save as much i...

Hey Kim (and others), There’s no way I’ll lose touch with you and all my other friends! We all have been through too much together and have grown fond of each other. I’m working on it… I’m trying to get a link to the new group to share on this page! I can send individual invitations via email, but i...

Dearest Members, Friends and Guests, I am announcing a very important event that will soon take place. I am closing the Mitchell Reel Museum website due to a decline in my generative abilities, not to mention financial stress! I will continue to be active in the Mitchell World, if I’m needed. For t...

Hello Bailarm, that Hass to be the greatest post I’ve ever seen! Your knowledge amazes me. Regards, Wallace .

Hi Bill, you always amaze me with your knowledge of all things, Mitchell! You should write a book! Lol

Hi Chris,

That is an awesome looking reel! Your collection must be amazing. It must have taken you a decade to collect information on that many Mitchell 408 reels. Great job, keep up the good work!

Regards,
Wallace

Hello Mates,

I don’t have anything much to add in this topic, but these may help I hope?

: IMG_0541.jpeg (370.61 KiB) Viewed 12385 times

: IMG_0542.jpeg (376.55 KiB) Viewed 12385 times

Best Regards,
Wallace

Hi John, Thank you for your kind words mate. That really means a lot. I’m very happy to be back but fear it might last long. I’ve gotten way too old, tired and crippled to make a solid contribution, but I’ll try. You have said so much that needs a response but I’ll hit on what I feel is most importa...

Hi jtwill98, I am truly sorry I did not see this post sooner but I’ll be happy to confirm that everything you say in your post is true! So true in fact that I am shocked anyone would say anything different! Keep going on with your studies, it appears you have good reliable sources. Don’t let wannabe...

Steve, According to my dating chart, your reel would be circa 1960. Hope this helps. Regards, Wallace

Hi Steve,

You went from 6 digits to 7 on the serial number. Which is it? Also, I can’t see what’s to the right of Mitchell on the cover plate. Is there anything there?

Thanks,
Wallace

Greetings My Friends, I have been catching up on all posts on this site and many others. The one thing that disturbs me the most is misinformation, especially what are the differences on Mitchell’s first 3 Versions. I have posted the following on other sites to fight this. Your comments are welcome ...

Hey Bill,

This was the best post I have seen in many years. Lots of work and dedication went into this

Kind Regards,
Wallace

Dear Ted and Ronny, There is a way to determine if your reel is from 1959 or 1960. To do this you would have to determine what exactly changed on the reels between 1959 and 1960. Then compare your reel with both before and after and match it with one or the other. The one that you’re trying to date ...

Well put Chris

Cheers, Wallace

Merry Christmas to all and a happy new year! I’ve been missing all of you. Hopefully God willing, my health will recover and allow me to be more active. Cheers to all, Wallace

Scott, what you say is true but I don't know if it is better to remove it from the support, furthermore I believe that the reel is not complete. I've never seen this reel in real life. Simone Dear Simone and Scott, The images below will show how these reels were mounted. The tray the reels set in c...

Greetings Anguilla and

back!

It's good to see you again. If you have any questions, great ore small, please feel free to chip in. The simplest of questions could lead to a great and interesting thread...

Kind Regards,
Wallace

Happy Thanksgiving to you too Don and all my Mitchell mates!

Hello Schrack,

I have done several videos on YouTube that will help you immensely. I did these to help people like you needing a little guidance. You can see these and many more on my channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/Mitchellreelmuseum/playlists

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,
Wallace

Sandman, The terms half bail and full bail came out just when the full bail was introduced. The term "Bail" came from the full bail wire looking like the arm or handle of an old basket. Again, when the full bail became popular, the terms full bail and half bail became the proper "Engl...

Thanks Wallace. I believe that part is shown on the 2nd version pamphlet that came with the reels. Can't find the pamphlet right now. I've never come across one. Sandman Hello Sandman, Here's the 300 Owner's Manual for a 2nd version reel you spoke of. English 1 copy.jpg English 2 copy.jpg I also ha...

Hello Mitchell Mates, 1st off: I have split the Dennis Roberts topic into two different subjects namely Dennis Roberts Books and then when we got off on talking about PUMs, the second half of the split is as you can see: Early Mitchell PUMs! 2nd off: We can't talk about early Mitchell PUMs without e...

Hello Mates,

Maybe these images will help:

: 410A 440A 1978.jpg (104.13 KiB) Viewed 6194 times

: 300A 410A GM900 1977.jpg (187.63 KiB) Viewed 6194 times

: 440A 1983.jpg (364.31 KiB) Viewed 6194 times

Wallace

Sandman, It either came with a full bail for $37.50 or a Mitchell 302 PUM left or right handed for $34.50. Extremely rare,,, I've only seen one with PUM sticker on the box. Hope this helps. Kind Regards, Wallace

Hi Sandman, Here's the ad you're missing for your records:

: Mitchell 302 - 1954 Ad.jpg (92.07 KiB) Viewed 26927 times

Kind Regards,
Wallace

Hi John,

Thank you for this, very interesting! So when do you think, based on your findings, that Garcia first started selling Mitchell reels? I've always said by 1948 at the latest.

Kind Regards,
Wallace

rlw, I show 1970 for the 302 and 1972 for the 306. These were the first PUM production years of these models. Not many of each were made. The PUM part may have been available for conversion earlier. Sandman Hello Sandman, In checking my files I see the 302 first came out in 1954 for both the part a...

Hello John, There's a lot more to documenting 3rd version boxes that just the appearance as you can see below. I would still recommend buying my book if you plan on verifying your collection of boxes and reels. FYI Ted had the correct, there are at least 7 boxes that were used on 3rd version boxes. ...

Hello John,

Please post pictures of your box, will be better.

Thanks, Wallace

Hello Mitchell Mates, I apologize for not keeping up with all the posts but I've been very busy trying to document this find and since I have not even touched any of these reels, It's been difficult. I will say that yes Roger, I do "believe" that this reel is solid gold. I can "say wi...

Hello Mates! I've been working with the owner of these reels to get better images and with Keith Elliott, chief editor with the Classic Angling magazine to do an article on these finds. The owner is having a hard time taking pictures that are high resolution, but he "might have these images lat...

Sandman, that's what I'm talking about, a simple question and new information is received, at least it's new to me. Thanks for the images and the correction.

Best Regards,

Wallace

Schrack, You are right the grease wasn't greasy anymore. Grunk! The reel is sparkly now and will be going back together next session. So I don't need to worry about the lack of shims? Just put it back as it was? By the way I found three Hollow ground screw drivers at a yard sale and am thrilled. Th...

Greetings John, Bill, Ted and All Mitchell Mates, I am so happy to see that I am not the only Mitchell Nerd... :text-bravo: I've attached 2 photos that will help explain what we're talking about and more. 10.2.JPG 10.JPG Most Mitchell reel collectors refer to the evolution in various spools as versi...

Mates, I was just admiring the gold Mitchell 300 when I noticed something about the bail. It appears that either the bail goes into the backing that the reel sets in , or that part of the bail is missing. I'm sure hope that's not the case , but additional pictures may clear this mystery up. Any bod...

Greetings My Mitchell Mates! Did anyone see the Thomas T. Lenk estate auction that ended on October 20, 2021? For those who didn't know, Tom Lenk was the President and CEO of The Garcia Corporation, the exclusive vendor of Mitchell reels here in the United States. It was by far the most exciting auc...

Hello,

I'm not so fond on Mitchell 300A reels but you are correct, they are very nice when spruced up. The BB spools would make any 300 series reels a thing of beauty for sure. Nice pics, thanks for the nice images!

Best Regards,
Wallace

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