Dating My 408

[JeepJeff]

Just joined today but have owned Mitchells since I can remember fishing at the cabin with my dad, sadly both are gone now. So happy to find this forum. I'll be discussing the 8+ reels I have in numerous sizes here (multiple 300, 306, 308, 408, and a left handed). I'll start with my beautiful 408 High Speed, dark blue (not black). Made in France with US Patent 2.726.052. Serial number on back of foot is 1178291 and from looking it up I think it is a 1956. Can anyone verify this or am I missing something? Thanks, Jeff

[JohnEboy]

Hi Jeff
Did you use the dating information on this site ? If so it only applies to the larger egg shaped Mitchell reels like the 300 & 410 .
The 308 & 408 are dated diffently . The serial from your reel should equalte to around 1970 I think .

Kind regards .
John

[jtwill98]

The first 408s were produced and released in 1963 (2,070 were manufactured) and the first 308s (5,472 were manufactured) in 1959.

[JeepJeff]

Thanks for the info guys! I did see the dating pages but I asked because I couldn't find anything regarding dating this particular model.

[Ted Lanham]

JeffJeff,
Did you see this one for the ultra lites?
Ted Lanham