Keeping this in mind: 1st Version – 1939/40 No Serial Numbers but a “unique” #5 is stamped on footĢnd Version – 1940/46 No Serial Numbers but various stamps on footģrd Version – 1946/49 No Serial Numbers but various stamps on foot Serial Numbers Begin 3rd Version – 1949/52 Serial Numbers first begin within the 3rd version release. The first two versions did not have serial numbers at all and the beginning of the 3rd version also did not have numbers. Please use this as a general dating guide only! Pre-Serial Numbers The first four versions of the 300 called “The Mitchell” at the time did not have the 300/301 model number engraved. These gaps in serial numbers could be the year before or after my best estimate. Gaps between the serial numbers I give are ones I’ve not found and documented. Please note that these dates are the approximate date of manufacture at the factory and NOT date of receipt by the wholesaler, retailer or when it was first advertised or purchased that always happened later. Because this is not an exact science some may be off but not by much. These are from a continuing spreadsheet study I originally did and self-published in January 2006 called Mitchell ~ Rebirth of a Legend. Other artifacts and celebrations also documented dates. Duplicate serial numbers have been found after that! There were certain “events” that happened and documented that helped “date” a change in the reel. This design started with the very first Mitchell reel and continued through all versions of these models plus these all were serial numbered in sequence at the Mitchell factory after assembly regardless of the different models or even which distributor (country) they were made for! Each reel from the beginning of serial numbers to 1976 have unique serial numbers. They all have the same classic “egg shaped” design with a three screw hole cover plate (as seen in the picture above). Though most vintage Mitchell spinning reels have oval shape bodies my purpose for identifying these reels as Classic Egg-Shape is very simple. Other models starting production after 1970 were also included in the same serial number sequence.

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