FIRST VERSION.
PARTS
PARTS
FIRST VERSION.
α - 1963-1977
THE MITCHELL 408 MIDNIGHT-BLUE
α.1 - THE ORIGINAL.
α.1.1 - The Red Dot
CHARACTERISTICS :
On early versions of the Mitchell 408, the counter-weight screw has been sealed under the bowl with a red paint dot.
On some rarest, another red dot had been applied on the inside of the bowl.
Another paint particularity : the inside of the side plate is painted in black. This shows probably that the production of the 408 in the early stage is still wedged somehow on the 308 an 358 ones.
NUMERATION.
Spécial : 0367375
Garcia : 312679
α.1.2 - The ceramic line guide
MAJOR CHANGES.
81052 - Guide Ligne.
The Guide Line is Made out of a whitish strong plastic material. Its curve is slightly less deep than the former tungsten one.
Although this material has nothing to do with ceramic (it often melted consecutively to the friction with the nylon line), the term "ceramic" has been adopted by users and collectors.
81325 - Side Plate.
The inside of the Side Plate is painted in midnight Blue as the rest of the reel.
OBSERVATION.
No red dot anymore is noticeable.
NUMERATION.
Spécial : -
Garcia : 0423506
α.1.3 - The standard version
MAJOR CHANGES.
81052 - Guide Ligne.
Tungsten is used again for the making of the guide line.
OBSERVATIONS.
On some late models of this version, the writting under the bowl is changed (the "MADE IN FRANCE" inscription is larger and the letterings thinner).
The Bail spring is made in a brass finish steel.
NUMERING.
Special : 459932
Garcia : 501928
α.2 - THE CLASSIC.
α.2.1 - The dust cap
MAJOR CHANGES.
81110 - The Dust Cap.
A new part is introduced : the dust cap. This element is going to become one of the main feature of the model which distinguishes the 408 from the 308 and the 358. As its English name indicates, this modification is functional : it avoids dust particles to penetrate in the gearing shaft. Its French name "enjoliveur" make us just just consider this feature as a coquetry.
81314- Housing.
The body is modified in order to allow the positioning of the dust cap.
81316 - Handle Shank.
A slit is added to the clamping bolt of the Handle Shank.
OBSERVATIONS.
This addition of a the Dust Cap is almost concomitant to the following, (the 5 spires bail string). It is however possible to see some Dust-Cap version equipped with the 4 spires spring.
NUMERING.
Special : -
Garcia : 560163
α.2.2 - The 5 spires spring
MAJOR CHANGES.
81287 - The Bail Spring.
The Bail spring is modified. In order to make the pick up mechanism smoother, one spire is added to the original 4 spires spring.
81320- Bowl.
The chamber of the bail spring is modified in order the new spring to fit into it. However, This modification remains very difficult to see (the inscription "MADE IN FRANCE" remains).
81310 - Planamatic Gear.
The tiny run boss on the base of the Planamatic Gear isn't machined anymore. The base is flat now.
81052 - Line guide
The Line Guide is hollowed out. (The former ones were in plain tungsten).
OBSERVATIONS.
The 5 spires spring substitution starts officially from the serial number 560651, as mentioned in the SAV catalogs.
The orignal two pieces cardboard box is replaced by the plastic clamshell one.
NUMERATION.
Special : -
Garcia : 584982
α.2.3.1 - The "MADE IN FRANCE 5
MAJOR CHANGES.
81314- Housing.
A chamber is created in the rotating axe of the Driving Gear to reduce the friction.
The visible part of rivet which maintains the spring of the anti-reverse trigger is chamfered.
81320 - Bowl.
The "MADE IN FRANCE" inscription, under the bowl is modified. A number "5" is added to it, in order to show that a 5 spires spring is mounted on the reel.
OBSERVATIONS.
This modification become effective as from the serial 702331 (as mentioned in the SAV catalogs).
However, many models wear at the same time the "MADE IN FRANCE 5" and a serial lower than 702331, at least enough models to consider them not as oddities.
NUMERATION.
Special : -
Garcia : 674132
α.2.3.2.1 - The Axle seat
MAJOR CHANGES.
81289 - Reel Axle.
A small cylindrical base is molded to the grey plastic arbor of the axle. It reinforces the base of the spool.
NUMERATION.
Special : 787519
Garcia : -
α.2.3.2.2 - The thin handle knob
MAJOR CHANGES.
81042 - Hanle Knob.
The handle knob is slightly lightened.
NUMERATION.
Special : 941845
Garcia : -
α.2.3.2.3 - The chamfered Handle Knob Screw
MAJOR CHANGES.
81044 - Handle Knob Screw.
The head of the Handle Knob Screw is chamfered.
NUMERATION.
Special : -
Garcia : 1003051
α.2.4 - The Transition bail
MAJOR CHANGES.
81290 - Bail.
The Guide line remains same, but the locking system bail mechanism is modified. The triangular dog which allowed the bail to lay on the bowl in action position is removed and replaced by another stop.
OBSERVATION.
The former Bail laid on the trip lever. A strong use of the bail could end up bending the lever. The new stop lies on the structure of the bowl and cannot cause anymore damage.
NUMERATION.
Special : -
Garcia : 1016678
α.3 - THE ACCOMPLISHED.
α.3.1.1 - The first Roller Guide Line.
MAJOR CHANGES.
82005 - Roller Guide Line.
The tungsten guide line is replaced by a roller version.
82003 - Bail.
The original one-armed bail is reshaped in order to support the new guide line.
82006 - Roller Guide Line Screw.
A Shaft is added to the Guide Line Screw.
81314- Housing.
The engraving of the name of the reel is modified. The "4-0-8" lettering is changed into "408".
81320 - Bowl.
The inscriptions under the Bowl are inverted.
The letterings are tightened up.
OBSERVATION.
The round groove of the Roller Guide is wide.
NUMERATION.
Special : (1)297890
Garcia : 1154157
α.3.1.2.1 - The second Roller Guide Line.
MAJOR CHANGES.
82005 - Roller Guide Line.
The roller Guide Line is improved. Its circular groove is reduced in order to fit better the line and reduce the twitching.
81289 - Reel Axle.
A tiny circular slot is machined on the axle shaft. (Might be to improve the grease reparation on the axle).
81326 - Driving Gear.
The Drinving Gear is lightened : the width of the teeth is reduced. It might weaken it a bit but doesn't alter its function. The inside cotton ball is now made out of foam.
81314 - Housing.
The inside of the Housing is painted.
NUMERATION.
Special : (1)433260
Garcia : (1)369653
α.3.1.2.2 - The Brass colored bail spring.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81287 - The Bail Spring.
A 5 spires brass colored bail spring is noticeable on some of these second type roller guide versions.
81320 - Bowl.
Two small recess are processed on the first bail screw post.
OBSERVATIONS.
This brass colored bail spring is similar to the one observed on the former α.2.1 version. The 4 spires spring has been casted in such a steel during a very short period of time, just before being replaced by the 5 spires spring.
This fact has been observed but might not be quite significant.
NUMERATION.
Special : (1)532843
Garcia : -
α.3.2.1 - The Chrome Side Plate Screw.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81304 - Side Plate Screw.
The red Duralumin Side Plate Screw (81324) is replaced by the Mitchell 308 Chrome one.
81289 - Reel Axle.
The number of the Spool locking blades of the Axle is reduced from 4 to 2.
81296 - Trip Lever.
The articulated two pieces Trip Lever is reshaped, resulting a new one made in one single folded piece of metal.
OBSERVATION.
The original Production Numeration system used for all the Ultra-Light reels is abandoned, replaced by a new one. The new serial number is composed of one letter (which stands for the year of production) an a six dials number (probably standing for the day, line of production and month).
NUMERATION.
Special : -
Garcia : D302110
α.3.2.2 - The new Handle Shank.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81316 - Handle Shank.
The double sided latch locking the rotation of the Handle Shank (allowing it to open an close) is changed for a single sided one.
The extremity of the shank is shrinked.
NUMERATION.
Special : -
Garcia : D312111
α.3.2.3 - Bail Spring Boss Increase.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81320 - Bowl.
The diameter of the centered boss in the Bail Spring chamber is increased.
The Us PATENT is written without any punctuation.
OBSERVATION.
This modification aim to reduce the accidental breaks of the bail spring.
It becomes officially effective as from May of 1975 (as mentioned in the SAV catalogs).
NUMERATION.
Special : E197107
Garcia : -
α.4 - TOWARDS THE GARCIA ERA.
α.4.1.1 - The Lightweight Driving Gear.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81326 - Driving Gear.
The Hole in the shaft is not drilled anymore.
81296 - Trip Lever.
The trip lever is lightened, its shape is same but two holes are made in it.
81296 - Handle Spacer.
The handle spacer is punched in four points. (probably in order it to stick to the hande screw thread and maintain the dust cap on it).
81314- Housing.
The design of the Anti-reverse Trigger is modified. Its rivet is not anymore visible.
The sticker "SPECIAL" is no longer used.
OBSERVATION.
This modification of the Driving Gear is a preliminary change in the couple Driving Gear - Pinion which announces further more.
Until then, the modifications made on the reel were aiming technical improvements. From now on, some changes are the result of economical issues.
The disappearance of the "SPECIAL" sticker is symptomatic of the lead taken by Garcia onto Mitchell. The branding "Garcia" is now engraved on all the housings produced.
NUMERATION.
F117204
α.4.1.2 - The Pinion-ball bearing preset.
MAJOR CHANGES.
82425 - Pinion and ball bearing assembly.
A new version of the pinion is complete. The ball bearing is locked by a brass hex bolt. This modification made the Pinion-Ball Bearing assembly set and stable. The former one (81322) had to be hand adjusted at each servicing.
81302 - "D"Spacer
This spacer is no longer needed.
81299 - Lock Nut Washer
This Washer is no longer needed.
82376 - Lock Nut
The original one sided chamfered Lock Nut (81298), is replaced by a similar Hex Nut, chamfered on both side.
OBSERVATION.
This modification is well described in the SAV catalogs. It officially takes effect from May 1976.
NUMERATION.
F154206
α.4.1.3 - The last Driving Gear.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81326 - Driving Gear.
The number of the anti-reverse notches (milled at the back of the Driving Gear) is reduced from 13 to 11.
The hole placed in the shaft of the Driving Gear isn't made anymore. (It allowed to lubricate the handle axis from the inside of the Driving Gear shaft). The small cotton ball that was used to lubricate has disappeared.
81272 - Driving Gear Spacer.
The Driving Gear spacer is made in a a whitish steel.
The former one was a bit thicker and had a dark grey finish.
81296 - Handle Spacer.
The handle spacer is punched in three different points.
81308 - Slide.
The slide is made out of a white plastic material, not black anymore.
OBSERVATION.
An easy way to count the anti-reverse notches without taken the reel apart is to make with it one complete handle revolution and count the number of clicks heard.
NUMERATION.
G137205
α.4.2 - The new body.
MAJOR CHANGES.
81314- Housing.
The housing is reshaped.
The size of the foot is reduced to fit better to the evolution of the real seats.
The inscription "FRANCE" at the bottom of the foot is is not any more protuded : it is now included in a recessed area which makes the reel foot surface completely smooth.
OBSERVATION.
This model is quite difficult to classify.
It could be considered, on one hand, as the very last version of the long midnight blue period.
Because it is midnight blue in color.
But, on the other hand, we could easily consider the structure more significant than the color (which is at the end just a cosmetic attribute). Then this reel has already made the break with its predecessors : its structure has been redesigned and it not only announces the following Garcia sky-blue models but takes part of them.
Although it is not SkyBlue in color.
NUMERATION.
G167106
