Info on an old steel rod

[spartannation]

I picked up an old Abbey&Imbrie Empire City steel telescoping rod today. I would like to find out more about it but can't find much info on Google. It extends out to about 8' and the handle can be reversed to make it either a rear seat or a mid seat. Antone know anything about this rod or where I might be able to dig up some info?

I plan on pairing it with one of my old reels and trying to catch some crappie on it next time I go out.

[Ranger R61]

Bassmaster magazine has a column 'What's it Worth'. They might be able to give you some info.

[Cray]

I know very little but I did read a story long time ago. Those rods were made in late 40’s into early 50’s and were made from repurposed army tank radio antennas that were surplus after WW2. Wasn’t long into the 50’s they started building solid fiberglass rod’s.

[spartannation]

From what I could find out on Google the solid steel rods were made late 1800's up to the 1950's. They were usually short rods due to the weight of the steel. Most long rods were telescoping and usually had little if any backbone.

I got this one at an estate sale, a woman was buying an old heavy fiberglass rod. We got talking old rods/reels and the I told her about the steel extendable I used this spring to catch crappie. The person running the sale hands me the one I bought thinking it was an ice rod. When she said she wanted 2.00 I couldn't get the money out fast enough. I will catch fish on it this spring.

[armyman]

My Daddy had one. I was helping him get ready to go the TN River and he had it extended and the screen door slammed on it and bent the tubing. Like Cray said, old radio antenna from WWII. That was in the early 50's. Never fished with it. Did'nt ever fish with it, but don't think I missed anything!

[BobC]

My Daddy had one. I was helping him get ready to go the TN River and he had it extended and the screen door slammed on it and bent the tubing. Like Cray said, old radio antenna from WWII. That was in the early 50's. Never fished with it. Did'nt ever fish with it, but don't think I missed anything!

No I don’t think you did! LOL I think I remember a buddy in the 50s that had his Dads.
Bob

[armyman]

No I don’t think you did! LOL I think I remember a buddy in the 50s that had his Dads.
Bob

Bob, prolly from a old PRC-25 radio or earlier model that unless our age, don't know what I'm talking about!(Looked at your profile. Thank you for your service, Brother)

[PIE GUY]

I had a few of those spring steel rods as a kid and fished with em. Most were made by True Temper and were solid. Had some tubular also don't remember the manufacturer.
Those rods and hooks made from straight pins put a lot of fish on my string. Especially if I fished em bare footed. E bay or old tackle sights might be worth a look for info.

[Ketchn]

i seen a few back when i was a kid , seems they were square rod as i remember maybe ?
long ago was that time .....interesting