GEP ROD INFO

[kzz1kaw]

hey folks I have a metal rod that I am cleaning up putting on new cork handle. anyone have any info on the rod pictured
thanks

[kzz1kaw]

anyone

[Bill Sonnett]

A fairly common rod made in Chicago I believe. Most Outdoor magazines carried ads for them in the 1940's

[Don Champion]

Most GEP rods had a cork "pistol grip" handle. Lots of luck finding one of those.

[kzz1kaw]

A fairly common rod made in Chicago I believe. Most Outdoor magazines carried ads for them in the 1940's

thanks for the info. do you know when the manufacture started making the rods and topped?

[wrong99]

A short Google search reveals the Gephart Mfg. Co. was formed during the 1920's by Bill Gephart of Chicago. They made steel rods of every description well into the 1950's, when steel fishing rods fell out of favor.
Mark

[RAM]

Did Gep make a rod they called "Professional"? My uncle had one he claimed had that name. Seemed it was beryllium. Been trying to find a reference. Thanks!
Bad Bob

[Bill Sonnett]

Bob perhaps it was True Temper that made your Uncle's rod. Before WW2 their top grade of seamless tubular steel rod was the "Professional" After WW2 the name was used by them on their light action line of top grade seamless tubular steel rods.

There first seamless tubular steel rods were introduced in 1934 and phased out around 1953-54 when glass took over. These rods were light and had beautiful action but very expensive to make and could not compete with the much more cheaply manufactured glass rods

[RAM]

Thanks Bill!
BB

[wrong99]

Bob,
I have a pile of Gep catalogs from the 1920's to 1952. A "Personal" model is listed, but not a "Professional".
Mark

[Paul M]

I went looking for a rod to try out a Spiral Wind reel and found a few of mine in the garage, including an unmarked one with the pistol grip cork handle mentioned above by Don.



Paul M

[RAM]

Thanks Mark!
BB

[bassmagnum]

kzz1
I happen to have one that still has it's cork handle. Gep Actionized Rod. Pat. No.1524590 and 2005081. From what I can see from the very little paint left on it this one was silver maybe gray in color with detailing painted in red. Only has one guide left on it that's pretty heavy duty compared to today and looks like red paint inside the guide. The cork handle appears to have been painted or stained brown.
Ross