better than it looks... Garcia Mitchell 303 Salt Water

[cdaline]

Backstory.... dropped in to one of those usually over priced "Antique Malls"
which was having a "Sale Day" . Back in one of the booths stumbled across
an ugly duckling Garcia Mitchell 303 Salt Water right hand retrieve open faced
spinner. Reel was attached to an old school fiberglas rod with cork grip and
wooden handle. A couple of the eyes were attached with hundred mile an hour
tape.... so I knew the set-up had been appreciated by the owner . I did a quick
cipher and calculated with discount I could get the pair for $17... so I pried
open the billfold and cashed out.
Upon deconstruction I was pleasently surprised to find the internals were as
well cared for as if some Team Tani accolyte was the original caretaker. No
obvious sign of salt water corrosion. This fact was quickly discounted as I
found all the drag washers in the wrong slot and sequence... but at least all
were present !
I was pleased to find the bail mechanism was in perfect condition. After cleanse,
re-lube and reassemble this old timer (I think by ser. # dates to 58' - 70' by on-line
reference tables) is smooth as butter. Really good quality reel..... I will have a
large learning curve to get by the right hand retrieve.

Just a lucky grab...I dig it.  

Charles

photo spread here....not pretty but solid functioning.


https://imgur.com/a/4ZTXeVS

[Gfish]

Nice, Charles. The paint still looks shiny. I gotta '63–302. The oscillating slider on mine has a screw instead of the E-clip on yours and the drag knob is a different shape. Never checked the serial number, though. I used the Mitchell Museum schematics to date it.
The CF Penn washers—6-155 or 6-60, can't remember now🤔, will fit if you wanna put a couple in.

[cdaline]

GFish... Thanks for the CF-Penn washer info. I was stressing about what I'd
find.... happy to find a complete set. I wondered about the e-clip.... seemed
a little flimsy upon removal ...was afraid to bend it. The drag knob is different
than any of my other Garcia Mitchell reels... maybe a transition piece ? I was
just guessing on the date range...hard for me to pinpoint as the side plates are
different than the 3 screw plates they reference.

Charles

[cdaline]

Well a little more research on-line indicates my first
interpolation of the serial number was incorrect....if
I read the Mitchell Reel Muse correct this reel is considered
a "4th Version" with the serial number of 544252
putting it between SN 235985 to 617792 thus landing
in the back half of 1954.

Please feel free to correct if I'm not reading the
roster correctly. 

Charles

[foakes]

Nice work, Charles!

Let me know if you need any parts for this old Mitchell 303 reel.

Have a lot.

Best, Fred

[cdaline]

Fred...Thank you  very much for your kind offer... really appreciated.
So far, I cannot find any flaws on this well made survivor other than
cosmetics. I will keep you on speed dial ...just in case.  

While you're here...can I pick your brain What is the purpose and
mechanism of action of the metal shim attached to the face plate
screw on the upper printed side plate (see photo) ? I am not familiar
with this obvious functional piece attached to the exterior of the reel.

The brain is so used to left hand retrieve / left hand bail activation
/ right hand cast that I am struggling (i.e. have to think about it) with
right hand retrieve. This is going to take some new neural circuitry !  
I guess its an old dog new trick kinda thing.

Charles

[foakes]

Fred...

While you're here...can I pick your brain What is the purpose and
mechanism of action of the metal shim attached to the face plate
screw on the upper printed side plate (see photo) ? I am not familiar
with this obvious functional piece attached to the exterior of the reel.

Charles

That is the Anti-Inertia brake to help stabilize the rotor rotation.

Many spinning reels have these — and some can be adjusted firmer or looser.

On the large Mitchells intended for Salt-Water — these are made of Stainless Steel.

Best, Fred

[happyhooker]

Another successful rescue & a beauty at that.

Frank

[cdaline]

Fred ! That sounds like something out of Star Trek ! "Give me more
inertia dampeners Scotty" !! Thanks for the photos and info. I'm going
to try to track down one of those $0.25 Mitchell Salt water Manual !! 
Nicely organized storage system you have there....very cool.

Frank , thank you for the kind words... I'm getting a little better at
separating the wheat from the chaff in my pickings... this reel is
a really nice addition to the Mitchell wing. Glad to find them when
available !!

Charles

[foakes]

Thanks for the photos and info.
I'm going to try to track down one of those $0.25 Mitchell Salt water Manual !! 

Charles

You can have this one, if you want it, Charles —

Likely '55 to '61.

47 pages plus the front and back covers — jam packed with schematics, part #'s, photos, directions, maintenance, tips & tricks, and different techniques for salt water surf fishing with this heavy Mitchell.

$10 + $3 shipping — very good condition.

Best, Fred

[cdaline]

Wow Fred ! Finest kind. Of course I'll take the manual...
have just the space to display it ! Please let me know
the best way to complete the transfer. Disclaimer: I
am not the most facile at computer type stuff...may have
to do old school purchase.

Thanks again, Charles

[foakes]

Will do, Charles —

PM on the way.

Best, Fred

[Paul Roberts]

...
The brain is so used to left hand retrieve / left hand bail activation
/ right hand cast that I am struggling (i.e. have to think about it) with
right hand retrieve. This is going to take some new neural circuitry !  
I guess its an old dog new trick kinda thing.

Charles

Oh my is this ever true! I had to switch to left after an injury and it was frustrating and fascinating. I was both novice caster and experienced instructor in the same body. Took a bit to get comfortable with it, but the experienced side of me (brain hemisphere I guess) helped. Good luck with it. Worth the effort.

[cdaline]

Paul... so true...fortunately, I have played drums since 3rd grade
(now 65) so I have an ambidextrous cheat built in.  I just need
to be patient and break the motion down into the inherent rhythm.
It will come , just need patience .

Charles