Mitchell 302 Big Foot

I am not sure exactly what year this is.  My best guess is that it is circa 1955 and since circa means "In approximately or about", I guess, for now, that's close enough.  

One of the things that bothers me about this reel is that it has a "BIG FOOT".  With a few exceptions, every 302 that I have ever seen has had a 3 inch long foot (the part that mounts to the rod). A "big foot" is 3 3/4 inches long.  I have a 302 circa 1954 (also shown in this gallery) that does not have a big foot. When I got the 1954 reel, it was new in the box with wrapper still on it, so I know it is original.