Help with Mitchell Spinning Reel Serial Number

[Jerry J in OK]

The number in the photo is stamped on a Mitchell Spinning Reel I have. It has only the word Mitchell on the crank side, it is half bail, has boomerang click, and the number is stamped on the opposite side plate. There is not a number stamped on the bottom of the reel foot. It also has a 4 rib spool. Can anyone offer any information on the serial number and the reel. The number appears to be B67747. I will put some pics in a link that I can post tomorrow or send to anyone that may want to see them...

Thanks..

Jerry

[snoekjaeger]

Hi,
You could try posting your question on the new Mitchell Forum

http://www.werpmolens.nl/phpBB2/[url]

Good luck

[Jerry J in OK]

Thank you, I will give it a try...Jerry

[Araye50]

Dennis Roberts says the 1st "boomerang click" was 1949 on what he calls "version 3" in the 300 line & the full bail was introduced in 1952. Further he says the metal knob only made it part way through '52 being replaced by the plastic knob half way through the year. He offers no subtlies to distinguish between '49, '50, '51 & '52. Half bails prior to '49 had the knurled round AR & rosewood knobs.

I still own 2 half bail '300' reels. The earlier reel has the serial # in your location, but it is faintly struck & only 3227 show, however it also has a clear 50 struck into the foot crosswise at center above the stem. The significance of this I can only guess, is this a 1950? The 2nd half bail is in outstanding condition & has A69813 struck lengthwise on the foot, also a crookedly struck larger V in the same spot as the 50 on the other reel.

Virtually all '300' spools have 4 ribs. On early spools the '4 rib' knob is aluminum & have a symbol like a box. The core of the spools are also aluminum w/round nosed cylindrical push buttons. Later spools have plastic knobs & bottoms. Of course spools & handles easily grow legs over 50 years.

[Jerry J in OK]

Here's a pic of the end of the spool...The ribs and the knob are metal and the box is visible...Does this help any with dating and value?...

Jerry

[Araye50]

IMO it will is fairly difficult to judge the date any closer than '49-'52 unless you can find serial number information that Roberts was never able to locate. Check the core of that spool closely, while the aluminum adjusting knob is correct, the push button does not look right. A photo of the bottom of the spool should show a bare aluminum disc. The push button in your photo looks like the later tapered version that would be afixed to a black plastic disc at bottom.

There are quite a few half bail Mitchells like this sold on ebay that are mostly in the $30-$50 range. To get more they need to be pristine and/or boxed. I've bought several locally for $20-$30. Only the early round AR knob versions command larger prices.

[Jerry J in OK]

Thank you very much for all your help...Here is the bottom of the spool...I will go with the 49-52 date...My brother likes to fish Mitchell so I may just give it to him...Thanks again and have a great one...

Jerry

[MatchReels]

Hello Jerry:
The reel you have appears to be a third or forth version Mitchell. Without seeing the entire reel, I can't provide a positive ID. The serial numbers prior to 1974 were sequential in nature. The letter "B", as it applies to pre 1970 models, was for the assembly line or production line. I hope this info is helpful.

PS: If you would like to know more about Mitchells, my new book on the subject will be released on April 14th. You can contact me at my Email address: for more info after the 14th of April.

Thanks, Dennis Roberts

[Jerry J in OK]

Hey Dennis...Thank you for the info...Just curious...Jerry