Mitchell Reel Forum

Welcome to the site harvey... As I understand it left-hand reels, right-hand crank were made around 10% of the "right-hand" reels. Here is an example. Full bail 300 production from approx. 1951-1986 was 13,128,960. Whereas the 301 for same years was 1,335,253. As you can see much lower nu...

Hi John, Well, curiosity got the better of me, and I stripped my reel down to check the foundry marks, and I was a little surprised seeing no foundry mark in the body??? However, it looks like the gear/cover plate is the same as yours, well almost. :lol: Curiosity would have gotten the better of me...

I didn't think to check that detail when I had it apart, but certainly, when I get the two incoming reels on my workbench, I will also strip down that reel in question and photograph the foundry stamps for you (I'll photograph them all), so that should be before the end of the week, if that's ok? I...

And fully cleaned and serviced: Hey Paul , that one is a real cracker :banana-angel: such a nice reel . May I ask if you could looka at something for me and perhaps post a photo please ? These reels have an Aluvac 4189 foundry mark at the bottom of the slide , sometimes they are underneath the lowe...

Thank you John, they will be cherished, believe me (sorry for hijacking your thread, just over enthusiasm on my part I'm afraid). Enjoyed your post too Bill. If it's ok with you John, I would like to post some photos I took during the service I did on my own early 3rd version? Ho thread hijack at a...

:text-threadjacked: John, Thanks for sharing your new reel with us. I absolutely love it when I open a 3rd version and find a 2nd version rotating head with the aluminum alloy bevel gear. Also great fun examining a new reel for other features. Guess I have been lucky finding quite a few such reels ...

Yes, that was me. I won them both on Friday, so as you can imagine, I am pretty excited to get a close look at them and add them to my collection. Added to which, having lost every 2nd version I bid for over the past year, I truly didn't expect to win that one plus a 3rd version at the same time, s...

Hi John, Thank you for your kind welcome and your answer to my question. I have a few of the more obvious 3rd versions, with the slotted baffle plate etc, and I was quite excited to snag this earlier one with its dumpy line guide and different bail arm spring (as per the earliest ones from photos I...

My first post, so hopefully I have posted it in the correct place, if not, my apologies) I also have exactly the same details on my own recently acquired half bail (plus plain baffle plate etc). The ad said it was an early 3rd, but maybe it is a late second version? No serial number. The bail wire ...

I noticed this "3rd " version for sale and it seemed like the line guide looked quite fat . Thought it may be interesting so bought the reel just so I could peek inside. This reel has done interesting features like aluminium rotating head gear and the high position Aluvac 4189 foundry Mark...

In this case the ejector pin has rotated and mis-aligned the foundry mark. Other dies had the foundry mark smaller and the ejector pins elsewhere. I have an image of two first version side covers, one appears to have 4, the other 6 ejector marks...and both are different to yours as neither have the...

John, Your question far exceeds my level of Mitchell knowledge. To find this type of information I would think one would need to talk to some type of engineer that deals with vacuum molding aluminum alloy parts, specifically, French vacuum molding from the 1940's. Mitchell 300 Collectors have long ...

For anyone interested , On another forum its has been suggested by two knowledgeable gentlemen with engineering experience that teh circles are made by ejector pins and that in this instance there was a foundry mark on the ejector pin itself .

kind regards
John

Hi Mates Please see attached image , I am unsure as to how it is possible for the 4 from "4190" foundry mark inside this cover plate to still be present within the circle and canted over ? In addition within the circle you can see part of the foundry mark from the other side of the circle ...

John, Thanks for those micro shots they are terrific. :text-coolphotos: I have now seen all I need to see regarding the mystery defect or "imperfection" as Wallace has so elegantly stated. Kind Regards, Bill :D Thanks Bill I do find all this quite interesting . I did post those images on ...

Hi all Not sure I am still showing this well , the dark areas within the right "slot" are not paint residue, they are small holes . https://i.postimg.cc/2jZgGnKh/20220712-105051.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/vB9XrtZm/20220712-105457.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/SKbnX63d/20220712-105116.jpg

Not wishing to be argumentative, but one can see the crystalline structure in the slot I believe is a pilot for cutting a rotor for right hand wind. I think that shows us it is cast in, not machined out....though it could be that it is stamped in I admit I can't see that it could serve any other pu...

I've not heard the 'pyramid' name for the indentation by the bail arm before, but I concluded years ago that it was a pilot to guide the cutting gear in if the reel was to be made as a right hand wind one.....quote] I agree somewhat with Nobby that the mark or "pyramid" shaped mark was a ...

Rockman wrote: ↑Sun Jul 10, 2022 11:32 pm I tried selling on EBay, not a single bid. Guess I’m taking it fishing. Thank you everyone with your help and comments, great site to learn about Mitchell’s.

That is quite surprising, it looks a lovely reel .

Perhaps it is meant to stay with you for a spot of fishing .

John

I've not heard the 'pyramid' name for the indentation by the bail arm before, but I concluded years ago that it was a pilot to guide the cutting gear in if the reel was to be made as a right hand wind one. There are at least fourteen first versions in the UK that I know of, I've held four for exami...

I have to question the difference in the counterweight pictures between yours and the one from Wallace's study. I see a screw in yours. Far from being anywhere beyond a novice, but feel I have to ask. Still a beautiful find. Wayne Hi all, Whilst i agree with all the comments I have had many 2nd ver...

Requested images ;

I don't think we understand enough of very early reels to be sure . John John, That is true and that is why I feel your contribution of posting these photos is of such great value and importance. :banana-wrench: :text-bravo: :text-goodpost: :text-thankyouyellow: Not to be greedy but is there any ch...

I have to question the difference in the counterweight pictures between yours and the one from Wallace's study. I see a screw in yours. Far from being anywhere beyond a novice, but feel I have to ask. Still a beautiful find. Wayne Wayne, I believe what you are seeing with the counterweight is a rep...

I have to question the difference in the counterweight pictures between yours and the one from Wallace's study. I see a screw in yours. Far from being anywhere beyond a novice, but feel I have to ask. Still a beautiful find. Wayne Thanks Wayne It's a interesting point that I have discussed with oth...

Hi, thanks for posting the pictures, I have had many 2nd versions and many 1st version heads some bodies, normally referred to as using up old stock or transition reels, nice to see the real thing, never seen a complete and real 1st version on eBay in the UK in my time of restoring 11 years, I have...

John, Congratulations on a rare find!! :text-bravo: Wonderful to see photographs of first versions as it is a rare treat to many of us. If there is any chance to get a peek on the inside of the housing or inside the rotating head, that would really be a very special occasion. :banana-dance: Kind Re...

There are quite a few anglers in the UK who regularly fish with Mitchell 300's for carp without any issues at all .

Back in 1953 the British record for Carp was broken by an angler using a half bail Mitchell (pre 300) , that fished weighed 44lbs

John

John, Congratulations on a rare find!! :text-bravo: Wonderful to see photographs of first versions as it is a rare treat to many of us. If there is any chance to get a peek on the inside of the housing or inside the rotating head, that would really be a very special occasion. :banana-dance: Kind Re...

JohnEboy, I believe that those reels are more available across the pond, but you are still lucky to acquire it. They are scarce everywhere. Regards, Ted Lanham Hi Ted Yes I would imagine there are more in Europe and so potentially there would be a greater chance of coming across one . However I thi...

John, Great find. I'm curious, how did to come across this reel. For many decades I looked for one of these, but never got lucky. Regards, Ted Lanham thanks Ted I feel very fortunate to have this reel . To be honest It was a bit of a fluke , I came across an ebay listing just 4 hours before it clos...

Hi chaps
I am now the proud custodian of a first version Mitchell. As you all know they are quite rare so I was very pleased to obtain this one .

Kind regards
John

Ted Lanham wrote: ↑Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:45 pm JohnEboy,
All those pics are gone, but here's one that, I believe, Wallace restored. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ted Lanham

Thanks Ted
Such a shame that information is gone .

Yes I have seen this reel that Wallace restored , it really is quite stunning .

Kind regards
John

Hi
Does anyone have an active link to the ebay listing for this reel please ?

The link in the OP no longer works for me and I would like to see the images again and sale price .

thanks
John

Just realized today I should be checking here versus the Facebook Mitchell forum. I was the lucky winner of that beautiful 1st Version reel. Wallace Carney just completed a study on it. Verified a true 1st Version!! He was so gracious and said it was truly a remarkable reel. So I do feel very fortu...

GreatLaker wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 8:19 pm John,
No worries.
Let's wait and see if Sandman is interested and if so, then let's start a new thread on a more appropriate board rather than Show And Tell, is my suggestion, what do you think?
Kind Regards,
Bill

Sounds good Bill .
John

Bill , i think some people have their own definitive determnants of what they consider a 2nd version reel to be , I dont , but if I did a wooden knob wouldnt be one of them . John John , Fair enough, I was not trying to rope you into a discussion on the subject, was only interested in hearing what ...

John, I would be very much interested in hearing what your "definitive determinant of a 2nd version reel" would be. Kind Regards, Bill :D Bill , i think some people have their own definitive determnants of what they consider a 2nd version reel to be , I dont , but if I did a wooden knob w...

Just my view of course , but I don't see having a wooden or metal knob as a definitive determinant of a 2nd version reel .
John

Mates, It's my understanding that what JohnEboy stated is correct, and that only the early second versions had the cherrywood handles. The later second versions had the metal knobs. In all the years that I was actively seeking out Mitchells, I was very lucky to acquire only two second versions and ...

Forgive me if I'm wrong. Your reels are great and having just one would make anyone's day over here. I noticed 5 of the 6 reels have the metal knob on the handle. Looking through Dennis's Value Guide 2006, page 20 he has that version as the 3rd. What am I missing here? The reel 2nd from the left on...

Nice collection John. Note the squared off crank handle counterweight ends being more squared off ends. Those are earlier handles. Are any of the lube port screws chromed? If so, those are earlier too. Sandman Thanks Sandman , I'm sure one has a chromed lube screw , I will give them a proper check ...

JohnEboy, You must be doing something right. That wasn't much time to gather them. There aren't that many of them around where I live. Ted Lanham Thanks Ted , I take it you are in the USA ? I think the last time I posted about 2nd versions someone in the USA posted about the rarity over there . Jus...

JohnEboy, Very nice!! Thanks for sharing. How many years did it to put the group together? Regards, Ted Lanham Hi Ted I think it was a tear before I found the first one , but wasnt really actively looking for these , I was just picking up Mitchells as and when I saw something I liked . I think all ...

Just wanted to show the 6 2nd versions I have . It's been a slow process aquiring them but also good fun .

That's a second version Mitchell...rare to find in the States...would be great to see both sides of the transfer gear. Below is what they look like. Helps to determine how early of a second version. Sandman Thanks Sandman , I come across them from time to time and have 4 of them myself , quite ofte...

Yeah, I think someone who could sew made this pouch up from what looks like good materials. It is the sort of thing I have done myself from my days in the military. It is a really nice early Mitchell. Glen in Nova Scotia Thanks Glen , its a nice reel , i'm pleased with it . I think you are right ab...

Ted Lanham wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 1:45 pm JohnEboy,
The pouch is not from Mitchell, but the reel is a killer.

Regards,
Ted Lanham

Thanks Ted
Really pleased with the reel .
The sellers father Frank used it spinning for Salmon on the river Dee , its nice to have some history with the reels .
John

Hi
I picked up an early reel recently and the chap selling his Father's old tackle seemed to think this pouch came with the reel and was possibly a Mitchell item , any thoughts ?

This thread makes for a great read , lots of information and some lovely reels.

May I ask if there is any movement on the release of the 2nd version study ?

Many thanks

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