Garcia Mitchell 300 and 300A - help with dating?

[lunamussell]

Hi all,

I met a fisherman who operates a small antique booth in a farmer’s market in Calgary, Canada. I purchased two reels from this kind soul, with the intent to give one to my Fiancé and one to my dad, and they can fish together with these reels. I was wondering if I could get help with dating each reel… I have looked through the website but I am still not positive.

Reel 1: Mitchell 300 (“A garcia product” sticker on the front with Mitchell 300 engraved in cursive), “Made In France” engraved on the back with the number sequence “837411” also engraved on the back. The letter “S” is also engraved on the underside of the foot.

Reel 2: Mitchell 300A (there is a silver metal emblem on the front that says “garcia (all lowercase letters) Mitchell 300A”. The back has “MADE IN FRANCE” (all capital letters, and the letters look raised not engraved). Engraved on the underside of the foot is “J066803”. I think they are zeroes, not letter O’s, but I am not positive.

I do have photos if that would be of assistance, but they are far too large to be attached to this post (I will work to reduce the file size if possible, I took the photos with an iPhone 14 Pro). I am planning to gift these on Monday December 30th, 2024. Also, are there any specific types of line that you’d recommend for each? My Fiance loves ice fishing (born and raised in northern Minnesota) for burbot, walleye, perch, etc but does not discriminate - he also loves micro fishing and everything in between. I think my dad is more of a generalist, but his favorites are Muskie and pike in the Great Lakes.

Thank you!

[lunamussell]

Update: I have attached 4 photos (2 per reel)

[lunamussell]

Edit: both reels have “MADE IN FRANCE” in raised all capital letters (I misspoke when I said the 300 had that engraved, not raised as it actually is).

[Crappie54]

The 837411 reel was made in 1955. The 300A was made in 1979.

[lunamussell]

Thank you so very much!