mitchell reel half bale

[coal583]

hello,

I have in my possession and mitchell half bale reel. it seems to be in fine working order. i do not know much about it. so far all i could find was the number 5 stamped on the foot. i would like to know more, such as the year it was made and its value.

thanks

john

[Midway Tommy D]

John,
If all it has is the #"5" stamped on the foot it may be an original 1939-40 first version. It should have a rosewood handle knob, a round knurled anti-reverse knob and no "Made in France" on the housing. Post some photos from all angles for better assessment. Value would be determined by the exact version and its condition. An authentic 1st version is extremely rare.

[long.caster0]

Aloha John,

Like Tom suggests, posting photos would help. The half bale came out on the 1st through 4th versions of what became the Mitchell 300 as well as the 1st through 4th version C.A.P. The 1st through 3rd version Mitchell Salt Water also came with a half bales. From your description it's difficult to tell which Mitchell model you own.

I've got the 2nd version Mitchell, the 2nd through 4th version C.A.P. and a 2nd version Salt Water nick named the "Big Foot" because of the extended front part of the reel foot. I've yet to add a 1st version C.A.P. to my collection. Locating one is hard enough and when I have the price went way beyond my "poor man's son" budget.

As far ad dating early Mitchells, one needs to factor this into the equation: Carpano and Pons, the founders of what became the Mitchell Legend, suspended production of their reels on or about late 1939 early 1940 after the 1st version Mitchell and 2nd version C.A.P., throughout the Nazi occupation of France, and didn't begin again until 1946. I have a theory as to why but have never been able to confirm it.

Again, I would like to see photo shots of what you have. I do love my Mitchell reels.

"Mahalo nui loa" (Thank you very much) as we say here in Hawaii.

Gary
Waianae

[coal583]

hello,

here are some photo, i hope they can help. if you need different shots let me know.

thanks,

john

[Paul M]

No pics showing

[coal583]

trying again

[coal583]

trying again

[kyreels]

John, are you trying the image posting method shown here? http://reeltalk.orcaonline.org/viewtopi ... =8&t=15596

Many people miss the last step. After uploading, you have to click the Thumbnail or Fullsize item, that will insert the image into your post. Use the Preview button to make sure it looks right, then post.

[coal583]

[coal583]

[coal583]

hi,

thanks for your help. i knew i was missing a step. hope these are decent pictures. if you need more or better ones, please ask.

john

[Midway Tommy D]

Depending on who's references you use, it looks like a 3rd or 4th version ('48-'50 either way), before they started using alphanumeric 5 digit serial numbers. It appears to be at least in fair condition if the internal parts and spool are original and all things work correctly. Based on its condition, value is probably somewhere between $20 & $40.

[Bamboozle]

Please allow me to join in this discussion rather than start yet another thread on an almost identical topic.

I recently acquired a Mitchell in the hopes I could secure something period appropriate for an Orvis spinning rod from 1948 that I bought.

My Mitchell looks exactly like the one pictured in this thread (albeit in very good to excellent condition) except it has no letter or anything else on the reel foot.

Am I safe to assume it is a 3rd or 4th version as well and in my dreams made in the same year as my rod?

I also wonder how one could differentiate between a 3rd/4th version reel made in the late 40's versus a reel made in the early 50's just before the Hardy full bail patent expired since they both had metal handles, and boomerang anti reverse levers.

Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide.

[Midway Tommy D]

Different authorities vary in their version specifics. The Mitchell Museum combined various attributes in some of their versions while others are a little more critical about subtle differences. Sadly the Mitchell Museum page, one of the most comprehensive online Mitchell information sites, is inaccessible due to maintenance and malware issues. Others, such as Ben Wright, classify the 3rd version as having an anti-reverse button and the 4th version as having the boomerang lever. He cites the 5th version as the first full bail in 1952. The 6th version comes in '53 with the change to the plastic handle knob and silver & black and/or yellow & black Garcia sticker above the handle.

If your's is identical to the one pictured above you can be fairly confident it was made somewhere between '48 & '52, and if so, sweet dreams.

[Bamboozle]

Thanks for the help!