Rare classic mid-century heavy duty Mitchell tripod fluid head and legs (sticks)

Description

RECENT PRICE REDUCTION. Was ,450 now ,450.
Rare classic mid-century heavy duty Mitchell tripod fluid head and legs (sticks).
Condition is Seller refurbished.
This item is an excellent example of the iconic Mitchell tripod that played a critical role throughout the golden age of cinema. The design was so successful it remained almost unchanged for more than 50 years. According to the manufacturers badges the tripod was manufactured in Glendale CA sometime between 1945 and 1970 (1).
Fully functional in good working order. Minor cosmetic wear in keeping with its age. This tripod and head both have heavy duty design and construction intended for years of professional, highly demanding use in a studio production environment or to support the filming of military tests or operations.
Fluid head: Model I-U serial number 285.
The head features independent controls for both pan and tilt motions, each with its own locking device, allowing full 360 deg pan and +/- 45 deg. tilt. The tilt mechanism has a dual coil spring counterweight that compensates for the weight of the camera as it shifts off center when tilted. The 5.5” wide x 7.125” long top plate comprises a sprung 3/8-16 UNC center screw that is rotated via bevel gears using a large knurled wheel conveniently located at the front of the top plate. The head features a convenient quick release mechanism for adjusting the position pan-tilt handle. The top plate has a label stating “Property of USAF do not remove”. Both small leveling bubbles are intact and functional.
This head comes complete with a new custom made telescopic pan-tilt handle, constructed from alloy steel tubing, that closely follows the style of the original handle with the addition of a steel threaded insert, brazed in, to ensure strength and long life of the clamping mechanism. The handle measures 16.125”closed and 24.5” extended (with 2” overlap) to allow accurate and comfortable control while panning or tilting large heavy cameras. The male and female threads on the Mitchell mount are in excellent condition. The handle can be moved from the pan tilt location to the underside of the head for storage.
Tripod legs: Model I-T Serial number 229.
The legs are the original maple wood in excellent condition with a rich chestnut color and smooth hard wax luster that shows the beauty of the wood grain. Each leg has a two piece telescopic design with mating v-shape section to maintain alignment. The legs are adjusted using dual, heavy duty, ribbed, aluminum clamp wheels. The ribs were an improved detail added to the clamp wheels during evolution of the tripod design to allow better grip. Drawings of the Mitchell rolling tripod introduced in 1931 show the ribbed clamp wheels. One leg has a good structural repair to a previously existing crack. The repair has minimal impact on the appearance (see photos). The tripod stands 55.5” tall with the legs straight in their lowest position (2).
The top of the tripod is cast aluminum with a standard Mitchell mount and three double cone adjusting bolts. These bolts allow the tension of the legs joint to be adjusted so they move with just the right amount of friction. Each bolt also carries a tab with hole for attaching a weight bag or tie downs. The shoes are cast brass with dual, hardened steel, spikes to reduce wear and platforms for foot pressure or clamping to a dolly or spreader. One of the legs has a natural feature with a unique silky appearance similar to that of Tigers eye mineral.
Height: 55.5” - 84” (2)
Diameter 9.5” (legs closed).
Max load: 75lb camera at full tilt (3)
Weight (head): 14.25lbs.
Weight (legs): 18lbs.
Weight (total): 32.25lbs.
Notes:
According to public records Mitchell Cameras moved from West Hollywood, CA to Glendale, CA in 1945 and from Glendale to Sun Valley, CA sometime between 1970 and 1975, finally ceasing business in 1979. For reference, head modelI-U number 85 was manufactured in West Hollywood before 1939.Production was minimal during world war two.
A lower working height may be achieved by splaying the legs or by removing the head from the tripod and using a “high hat” adapter. The amount by which the legs can be splayed depends on the floor/ground surface the weight of the camera and whether a dolly or spreader is used to prevent thelegs from slipping outwards.
The tripod itself comfortably supports 150 lbs level, on center, on grass . The 75 lb figure is an estimate based on the original Mitchell documentation for a 16mm camera and soundproofing enclosure (blimp). Similar specification tripods were not recommended for the heavier 35mm cameras with blimps.
Shipping may be available, but the cost is likely to be fairly high due to the weight and dimensions involved.
Additional details and photos available on request.