FIRST VERSION.
PARTS
PARTS
FIRST VERSION.
THE ORIGINS
Two ultra-light reels were released before the Mitchell 408 emerges : the Mitchell 308 and the Mitchell 358.
An early version of the 308 and the 358 are reviewed here.
THE EARLY 308.
EARLY CHARACTERISTICS :
81298-67 - Spanner Axle Nut.
The original Lock Nut wasn't hexagonal but circular. This version has been mounted on very early 308 and quickly changed to the classic hex nut.
81053-77 - Pan head Line guide screw.
The early line guide screw had a larger head than the standard version used on the first type bails. It might have Benn modified to reduce the risk of line hanging when closing the bail.
81296-68 - First type bail trip lever.
The early articulated trip lever had a simple bend. The bending of the bail arm seat was later reinforced.
81040-89 - All aluminum handle shank thread.
On early Mitchell 308, the handle screw is part of the shank.
81306-45 - Copper looking « c »lock.
The arly "C" lock was made out of a copper looking steel.
81271-51 - Anti-reverse Dog.
The anti-reverse dog was designed originally with a "flat nose". Its shape is more aggressive like that. The nose of the dog was certainly stronger which is important for such a part. It has been reduced probably in order to be adjust to the notches of the driving gear.
81052-76 - Aluminum line guide.
The line guide wasn't made out of tungsten. The steel looks much brighter and is probably made of aluminum.
The bottom of the line guide is "sealed" with black paint.
81290-72 - Single bail spring hole.
The Bail Arm has already found its standard shape. The extremity of the bail arm (on the screw#2 side) is particularly thin. This will be thickened. One single hole is drilled for the bail spring.
81292-71 - Bail screw#2 & 81286-75 - Bail screw#1
The slot on the early bail screws is super tiny.
81294-69 - Early trip lever spring.
The angle of this early trip lever spring is quite wide. It will be then reduced to stiffen the spring.
81287-74 - 4 full revolutions bail spring spires.
The early bail springs were 4 spires type ones. The angle made by the to extremities is almost nul. Mitchell will adjust the stiffness of the bail mechanism by different means. such as reducing the angle of the two extremity of the 4 spires spring, moving the position of the spring hole on the bail arm or later adding one spire to the bail spring.
81281-97 - Black painted counterweight screw head.
The early counter-weight screw head were painted in black. This part actually was united to the rotor and the counterweight (referenced as the Rotating Head - 65 on 1959, 1960 and 1963 308 schematics). In 1964, the counter weight and counterweight screw were considered as separate parts. The counterweight was painted before being assembly and its screw wasn't painted anymore.
On this early version of 308Black paint was applied on the tip of the screw as for quality checking.
81274-53 - Housing.
Many specificities to mention on these early housing versions :
The interior Axle Post is round.
The anti-reverse trigger is a bit less aggressive, it has round edges.
The inscription "FRANCE" isn't yet under the foot of the reel but on its side : « FRONCE » The letter A isn't written, it's on the spot of the Anti-reverse Dog rivet.
The inscription "Mitchell 308" is almost 25mm wide and centered.Manufacture identification in housing : LM in a circle, number 1 next to it.
81300-65 - Rotor.
Manufacture identification in rotor : LM in a circle, number 1 on the opposite side, under the counterweight. The number « 1 » is mirror casted.
81159-83 - Drag Spring.
The early version of the drag spring has smooth continuous external edges.
81158-84 - Drag Knob.
The geometry of the early drag knob is a bit more simple that the one of the up-coming standard version.
81272 - Driving Gear Washer.
A last specificity of the early Ultra-Light models consists in the absence of the Driving Gear washer.
81305-84 - Side Plate.
A sticker "MITCHELL PRINCE" has been glued on the Side Plate.
OBSERVATION :
Much more earlier versions than the one studied here does exist and some other variations might be observed.
The "Prince Sticker" wasn't part of the original design for instance.
The first versions produced in 1954 do not wear any serial number.
NUMERATION.
0023447
THE EARLY 358.
MAJOR CHANGES
81326-50R - Drive Gear.
This Drive Gear is the tribute to the High-speed models (358 and 408). The early version of this Gleson cut gear was made in aluminum.
81322-88R - Pinion Gear and ball bearing assembly.
The pinion gear is modified (Gleason cut) to fit to the new drive Gear.
81331 - Cross-Wind Disk.
The planamatic system (81309+81310) is replaced by the CW Disk.
81209 - Hande Knob.
The 358 Handle know is casted in the same mold as the 308's one. Its made out of green plasitc (instead of black).
81306-45 - « c »lock.
The "c" lock is made out of a black finish steel.
813288-67 - lock nut.
The Lock nut is Hexagonal.
81296-68 - trip lever.
The trip lever have been reinforced at the base of the bail seat. A 3 dimensional bending makes it stronger.
81292-71 Bail screw#2 & 81286-75 - Bail screw#1.
The width of the bail screws slot is made a bit bigger.
81294-69 - Early trip lever spring.
This trip lever spring is still a wide angle early version.
81271-51 - Anti-reverse Dog.
The nose of the anti-reverse dog has been cut.
81040-89 - Handle Shank.
Tha Handle shank thread is turned in steel.
81281-97 - Counterweight screw.
The counterweight screw is still painted in position and quality controlled. Its head and tip are black painted.
81052-76 - Aluminum Line Guide.
Aluminum Line Guide version.
The bottom of the line guide is "sealed" with black paint.
81328 - Housing.
The Manufacture identification in housing is similar to the early 308 ones. The number 2 has appeared, probably standing for a second line of production.
LM in a circle, number 2 next to it.
The interior Axle post has been flattened on front side of the reel.
The Anti-reverse trigger has found its classic shape (sharper edges).
The housing still haven't got any room for the drive gear spacer.
81300-65 - Rotor.
Same as the former 308 : Manufacture identification in rotor : LM in a circle, number 1 on the opposite side, under the counterweight. The number « 1 » is mirror casted.
81159-83 - Drag Spring.
The same early version of the drag spring has smooth continuous external edges.
81158-84 - Drag Knob.
The Drag knob has already found its classic shape.
81272 - Driving Gear Washer.
There is still no Driving Gear washer at this step of the series.
NUMERATION :
133642
