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DATATION : Mid 1969.

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OBSERVATION : 

This cutaway model have a serial number. Many are known to have none. 

However some indications claim for the authenticity of this reel.

- The hasn't been 100% testified. It probably comes from a French salesman old stock.

- Two identical versions of this model are known to exist and comes from the same stock. They wear serial numbers that almost follow each other. (856042 & 856044).

- It is impossible for this reel to have been cut away from a standard Mitchell 408 midnight-blue. The housing type and the serial number actually don't match in term of standard factory production.

The housing used on that reel is a second housing type (Large "France" inscription on the foot, the edges of the external boss-frame around the rivet which secure the anti-reverse trigger spring are squared, the Drive Gear tube is plain). 

This second housing type has been modified no later than early 1967.

It is basically a non-sens to have such a late serial (second half of 1969) standing on such an early housing type (1966).

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We could assume that an older version of the housing has been used and marked with the aim of making a cutaway.

One explanation might be that it was easier to mill a former housing type 2 than an actual type 3. 

On a type2, the interior of the Housing handle arm was made out of brass. It was changed into steel on type 3.

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