Mitchell version 2 half bail

[jtwill98]

"the back edge of the handle"

I agree it's difficult to tell the differences until you see them. Hopefully this picture may help you. Pay no attention to the wood knob on the left handle. It's someone's attempt to make one. 

The main difference between a MK2 and MK3 is the round A/R knob on MK2s and the A/R boomerang on the MK3.

As you point out the handles are easily replaced, so too are the side plate covers if you can find one. 

[Midway Tommy]

I'm curious as to the MK references. Is the MK now supposed to stand for Mark, i.e. version, or something else?

[jtwill98]

It's the UK Mark system that many of the European and some American Mitchell collectors prefer.  Although, I see many American collectors use versions. 

Since most persons I learned from used the UK Mark system, I'm conditioned to follow suit.