300 no ser #, Raised stamp plate Made in France ?

[554Owyhee?]

I have an older 300 with no serial number and it has the "MADE IN FRANCE" stamp on a raised plate. This is different from all my other 300 reels and I have not seen this on other reels. No, I have not seen a lot of other no serial number 300 hundreds, so I just wondered whether this is normal for the older reels. Also, does this help date the reels manufacture date?

[Rockape]

I have a couple like that , a 300 and a 440.

They are both serial numbered on the reel foot; one has a feint D stamp before the number (1974: Midnight Blue Mitchell Match) and the other. 300 has a G stamp (1977).

This has perplexed me also, because I have other reels from 1974/5 that do not have the raised Made in France casting, so maybe different foundries perhaps?

[Rockape]

I couldn't edit my post, so I am adding a new comment.

I don't know why it didn't click with me straight away, but I am sure you have a replacement 1970's main body, possibly the reel stem/foot of the original was broken or damaged in the 70's and a replacement was bought, which could be why there is no serial number on the foot....?

[GreatLaker]

554Owyhee,
Welcome to the Mitchell Reel Museum (MRM).

The raised oval was first pointed out to me in Wallace's book: The Mitchell Classic Spinning Reel These are sporadically found on Mitchell 300 models predominately for the 7th version reels. As far as I know, no one knows why this occurred, but as normal, there are numerous theories around. There are plenty of these housings around so it's not particularly rare but fun for us collectors to include in our collections.
Kind Regards,
Bill

[Sandman]

I see an old looking head and faceplate, a line guide screw from pre 1963, an A/R lever from pre 1963, a crank handle from the eighties and replacement body (no SN) from the seventies...this reel may span four decades.

Sandman

[Rockape]

I see an old looking head and faceplate, a line guide screw from pre 1963, an A/R lever from pre 1963, a crank handle from the eighties and replacement body (no SN) from the seventies...this reel may span four decades.

Sandman

Lol..I didn't even notice the 80's crank, but yeah!...Four decades!