Vintage Mitchell fishing reels are now collected by a growing number of enthusiasts. Due mainly to the distinctive designs and the quality of the the various models the reels are very much sought after as an investment. Many collectors take pride in acquiring Mitchell reels that have the spares, instructions and pristine boxes.
The most valuable vintage Mitchell reels are ones that have never been used, in their original box, with instructual paperwork. On Ebay these command the highest prices.No matter what the model so long as the original box and paperwork is present then it's value is far greater than a mint one without it's original box and docs bplus maintenance tools, these are the most sought after. Prices vary from model to model a "New in the Box" (NIB) Mitchell match reel can be worth anywhere from £25 to £400, and more if a limited edition. You can get limited editions, prototypes, first editions plus poor sellers production of which had been limited. Depending on the circumstances and variations then this will affect the price, but whatever variation it always seems that new in the box (NIB) always get the highest prices.
To find out more about Mitchell vintage reels, then visit eBay's Mitchell Fishing Reel Group. Join up, it’s an open forum group, and ask them any questions. If you want to get a rough feel for prices then ask at the forum or the following guides are very good:
B. R. Frewings' "Mitchell Birth of a Legend a Collector's Guide"
Dennis Roberts's "Mitchell Reel Collector's Value Guides,"
B. R. Frewings' "Mitchell Birth of a Legend a Collector's Guide"
Dennis Roberts's "Mitchell Reel Collector's Value Guides,"
When buying Mitchell reels from ebay you need to be aware and consider the following:
Has the reel be described as NIB when in fact the box and extras have been collected and packaged as a NIB, these should be described as not original factory original.
Has the reel been restored or repainted, these should be described as so and not command a higher price than a good original.
Mechanically is it correct, are all the parts original, does it work smoothly, know what you are buying.
Vintage Mitchell reels are a great investment, and if you can get lucky and accumulate a good collection, then apart from the sheer satisfaction of owning some of the best reels ever made, you will also have an appreciating assett.
Mitchell Reels Made in France from the 1939's to modern times. No conclusive and reliable records have been kept, but below is a list of models made derived from an unofficial source.
- 204 / 205 - 204 S
Smallest of the 200 series first introduced in 1973, At least 2 other versions of 204 followed until
they were finally phased out in 1986
Smallest of the 200 series first introduced in 1973, At least 2 other versions of 204 followed until
they were finally phased out in 1986
- 206 / 207 - 206 S / 207 S
Reel dating from 1983/84- 208 / 209 - 208 S / 209 S
- 218 / 219 - 218 S / 219 S
- 228S
- 282 / 283
- 288 / 289
- 298 / 299
- 300 / 301
Early 3rd version Half Bail, no serial number which actually helps dates it to 1948/49. 
Before this date the second version had the round knurled check button
then following year Mitchell started giving them serial numbers.
- 300A / 301A
- 300C / 301C
- 300DL / 301DL
- 300K / 301K
- 300 KILT 0
- 300 PRO
- 300 PRO Gold
- 300 PRO 45th Anniversary
- 300 PUM
- 300S / 301S
- 300 Series Cutaways
- 302 / 303 Salt Water
- 302 / 303 N
- 300X Gold
Before this date the second version had the round knurled check button
then following year Mitchell started giving them serial numbers.
- 300A / 301A
- 300C / 301C
- 300DL / 301DL
- 300K / 301K
- 300 KILT 0
- 300 PRO
- 300 PRO Gold
- 300 PRO 45th Anniversary
- 300 PUM
- 300S / 301S
- 300 Series Cutaways
- 302 / 303 Salt Water
- 302 / 303 N
- 300X Gold
- 304 / 305
- 304S / 305S
- 304 Series Cutaways
- 306 / 307
- 306 / 307 PRO
- 306S / 307S
- 308 / 309 Prince
- 308A / 309A
- 308 / 309 PRO
- 308S / 309S
- 308 Series Cutaways
- 314 / 315 CAP
- 314 / 315
- 314 Series BHV
- 314 Series Cutaways
- 316 / 317
- 316 Series Cutaways
- 320 / 321 / PAGE
- 324 / 325
- 330 / 331 Otomatic
- 330K
- 330 Quartz Gold
- 340 / 341
- 350 / 351 Rapid
- 358 / 359 Prince
- 382 / 383
- 386 / 387
- 396 / 397
- 396 / 397 PUM
- 396 Series Cutaways
- 398 / 399
- 400 / 401
- 400G (Gold)
- 400S / 401S
- 402 / 403
- 406 / 407
- 408 / 409
- 408 DL
- 408 G (Gold)
- 408 / 409 S
- 410 / 411
- 410 DL
- 410 Series Cutaways
- 440 / 441
- (440 / 441) Garcia Mitchell Match
- 440A Lightning Cast (ALC)
- 440A Match / 441A Match
- 304 Series Cutaways
- 306 / 307
- 306 / 307 PRO
- 306S / 307S
- 308 / 309 Prince
- 308A / 309A
- 308 / 309 PRO
- 308S / 309S
- 308 Series Cutaways
- 314 / 315 CAP
- 314 / 315
- 314 Series BHV
- 314 Series Cutaways
- 316 / 317
- 316 Series Cutaways
- 320 / 321 / PAGE
- 324 / 325
- 330 / 331 Otomatic
- 330K
- 330 Quartz Gold
- 340 / 341
- 350 / 351 Rapid
- 358 / 359 Prince
- 382 / 383
- 386 / 387
- 396 / 397
- 396 / 397 PUM
- 396 Series Cutaways
- 398 / 399
- 400 / 401
- 400G (Gold)
- 400S / 401S
- 402 / 403
- 406 / 407
- 408 / 409
- 408 DL
- 408 G (Gold)
- 408 / 409 S
- 410 / 411
- 410 DL
- 410 Series Cutaways
- 440 / 441
- (440 / 441) Garcia Mitchell Match
- 440A Lightning Cast (ALC)
- 440A Match / 441A Match
Mitchell Match 440A vintage fishing reel - 440S
- 440 Series Cutaways
-441 High speed
It is stamped "Garcia Mitchell 441". It has the straight reel stem of the middle 1960's. The torpedo handle on this fixed spool reel has a "High Speed" sticker.- 486 / 487
- 488 / 489
- 496 / 497
- 496 / 497 PRO
- 496 / 497 PUM
- 498 / 499
- 498 / 499 PRO
- 498X Pro Africa
- 500 / 501
- 508 / 509
- 510 / 511
- 524 / 525
- 540 / 541
- 600 Series Models
- 700 Series Models
-710 Automatic
VINTAGE GARCIA MITCHELL 710 AUTOMATIC FLY REEL. Circa 1970's
- 810 / 811
- 840 / 841
- 840 / 841 Match
- 900 / 901
- 900 Series Cutaways
- 906 / 907
- 906 Series Cutaways
- 908 / 909
A skirted spool reel added to the Ultra-Light range in 1978.
Planamatic gearing with a high speed 5:1 ratio, twin bail springs and a manual bail release button.The reel dates from 1978/79