dating garcia mitchell reels

[silentpiccolo@gmail.com]

i have three reels i just recently required a 306, 300, and 624. i would like to be able to date them but i cant find enough information on how to do this, i was wondering if anyone out there could help me. the serial numbers go as follows
for the 306- france- 0847946
for the 300- 7282645
and for the 624- 309625
thanks

[Jim Madden]

Even Dennis Robert's book, Mitchell Collector's Reference Guide doesn't tackle the serial numbers and dating the reels. He dates them by variations of features in each model. If you can post pictures of the handle side, maybe we can help. I wish someone could fill us in on Mitchell serialization. Jim

[Araye50]

From what I've learned collecting hundreds of Mitchell reels over many years, serial numbers are not often a good way to learn the date of manufacture. Apparently Mitchell did not always practice continuity with serial numbers & only some numbers prove useful in dating. It is usually better to make date determinations from the design features of the reels 1st, then see if you can confirm the approximate date by S/N.

Participants on this forum who have access to Dennis Roberts, out of print 'Mitchell Collector's Reference Guide' could help if you could post photos or were conversant in the identifying features for spinning reels. The 600 series has both large gaps in S/Ns, loads of reels w/o S/Ns & of course the S/Ns can get moved around on the trim rings & feet.

[Jim Madden]

#306 1959-1979 (12 versions)
#300 1938-1978 (20 versions)
600 series not covered in book
It's necessary to see the handle side to see which version. Each version is dated in Dennis's book.