Commander No.8500

[archerynut]

Hello forum members! This is my first post on the forum. I'm happy to have found a place where people who appreciate older quality fishing gear and reels in particular can gather. I came into a couple boxes of fishing gear a while back. Going through these boxes I found a few reels. Older for sure and two or three brand new in the box. One especially is interesting. It's called a Commander No.8500. It's in as new condition in the box. I've searched for info on this reel so far I've come up empty. Signing up to this forum is my next step. Also in this group of reels is a Mitchell Garcia 300 complete in the box with all the documentation. I'm not sure about the dates for these reels but I'm just looking for some info and maybe value? This seems like a pretty cool place and I'm excited to have found it!
Andrew

[Reel Addictive]

Hello Andrew and welcome.

You will find that pictures are pretty easy to post and will really help us to answer your questions. Several people can fill you in on the Mitchell (maybe Tommy will come along). As for the Commander 8500; I know Bronson made several Commanders (is it engraved?). The boxes will provide as much information as the reels themselves.

William

[archerynut]

Hello and thank you so much for your quick reply. I snapped some pictures with my phone so I apologize for a lack of quality. First is the Mitchell 300. On the bottom of the foot is a serial number F3277.





This is the Commander 8500. There doesn't appear to be any serial number the only thing on the foot says Made in Japan. It's quite a large reel with beautiful attention to detail. The machining where the handle attaches to the main spindle is amazing.





I included my Kershaw cryo in the picture as a reference. Thanks for looking!

[Midway Tommy D]

The Mitchell 300 is circa 1976. It looks to be in nice condition so, with the box, I would guess somewhere between $50 & $75.

The Commander 8500 was made in Japan in the mid/late '60s, possibly by Olympic or Daiwa. Not real collectible, maybe $25 or so with the box.

[archerynut]

Thanks for the informative reply! This group of reels also included an unmarked level wind type reel with the only thing on the foot being "Japan" but it's in good shape. I'll post a picture later. There is also an Olympic model 81 and another mitchell 300 with a clamshell style plastic case. These old reels are neat and a nice reminder of a time when things were simple and straight forward. Thanks so far!
Andrew