many thanks for the replies......
chavender,the reel i have just purchased is a mitchell 4450........
the reel has a square/rectangular body shape
with a grey foot and main body with black plastic type sides with a folding handle.on the handle side,there is a sliding button for either silent and ratchet type wind and on the top of the body is another sliding button for backward wind etc.......
its a mitchell reel ive never seen before and i basicly brought it for its curiosity appeal i suppose,with the intention of using it as well.
the problem i have found with it,is that when you stop winding the handle,the drum with the bail arm attatched still keeps spinning and only stops when its run out of steam or you stop it by hand.
i think the handle winding mechanism might be the problem???