True Temper Rod - Sport King Reel. Historical Info?

Jscooke · Post by **Jscooke** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:02 am

Cleaning out the basement of a family member and found a square steel red and white True-Temper rod with a Sport King Model 69 reel. The reel has an engraving of a bass on the right side. I understand that True Temper was a part or division of Geneva Steel out of Ohio and may have folded up on or around 1980. Can anyone tell me how old these two pieces may be? Were they a set? How common are they? I am not interested in selling either of them as I am sure they have some sentimental value to someone within my family. Thanks in advance.

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:18 am

True Temper = Ocean City?

Sport King is Montgomery Wards label. I have a rod that was made for them by H-I.

Could tell you more with photos.

Len Sawisch · Post by **Len Sawisch** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:31 pm

... I thought True Temper grew out of American Fork and Hoe, and that they were originally using epee blanks (fencing sword blades) for fishing rods (ergo the four-sided rods). This is strickly memory and I tend to remember all sorts of stuff that never actually happened . . .

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:21 am

sorry, I'm sure you're right Len, I just remember there being a connection between Ocean City Reels and True Temper.

Post by **Brian F.** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:49 pm

True Temper bought out Ocean City in the early 70's or late 60's. And, as Phil would say, it was in a back issue of the Reel News (but the difference is I just can't remember which one!).

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:12 pm

Here's Jason's photos:

Len Sawisch · Post by **Len Sawisch** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:35 pm

Jason,

The rod is a post WWII True Temper speed lock, made so you could take the reel off and on quickly without a screw driver. Of course most people who could afford a back-up reel probably had a back-up rod too, so I'm not real sure what the advantage was! Notice the fast taper to the blade butt and the four-sides - made for a flexible tip for casting and a strong back for setting the hook (or a pretty good fencing epee!).

The reel, by Bronson Reel Co. in Bronson, Michigan, was made to look expensive at first blush but it was really at the economy end of Bronson trade reels (reels made by one company for other companies to stick their name on - in this case Montgomery Wards). The "etching" is really a stamping. The rust on the pillars speaks to how inexpensive the finish plating was done. The one-piece pressed foot is the cheapest way to make a foot and while I can't tell for sure from the pics, I'm guessing the foot is riveted on (to save the cost of tapping and four screws).

I would say for insurance purposes the rod/reel combo in it'd current shape is valued at about $15 -$20 bucks (sorry!), and is not particularly rare as these type rods and reels were being mass produced and shipped by the thousands in the 1950's. That's my semi-educated guess - perhaps others will have better info to help.

Len

hurdpete · Post by **hurdpete** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:18 am

Hi Guys:

I read this thread and, as always, learned a little bit more. One thing kinda jumped out at me, however- Len's reference to the rod being made from a fencing epee. I'm an unregenerate fencer, and would like to clarify. The weapon Len is referring to is actually called a foil - it has a rectangular, tapered cross section- an epee, which is one of the other two weapons used in fencing, has a heavier, stiffer triangular blade. I have heard the connection before between foil blades and casting rods- the picture in this thread does very much resemble a foil blade. I understand that a New York fencing equipment supplier, Albert Castello & Sons, did utilize modified foil blades for casting rod blanks in the late Thirties and into the Forties (the process of manufacture is similar, although the blades were probably made in France- there weren't any blade manufacturing companies in the States at the time). The Castello blades/rods aren't marked (the fencing blades were stamped with Castello's name), as far as I know, but may have a manufacturer's mark stamped on the butt end of the rod. I suspect that Castello contracted for the rods through their normal blade forge, seeking to exploit the physical similarity (a foil blade of the time would be a little too flexible in the tip for satisfactory use as a rod, but changing the taper would be easy enough to do at the forge). Hope this helps any of you who are still awake at this point

SWIM JIG · Post by **SWIM JIG** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:45 am

cool-thumb USA to JSCOOKE, it always makes me happy to see how much ORCA members know, and their othe sides of their lives! ( my forst comment is, I remeber buying on of these combos way up here on the Shores of Lake ERIE< Len as for the speed lock, your not old enough to remeber that miseable Black line that rotted! when it busted on a cast, and you wanted to get back to fishing in a hury, in a bouncing boat, well a srew driver was the first tool to bounce out over the side of the boat! we all had at least 2 if not more reels strung with new line! BINGO! off came the one reel on went the other! That reel shown sold for $3.95 a big sum in 1951, the rd sold for $7.95 cents, and you took good care of the rods! No rod to this day will ever have the feel of a metal rod made by TRUE TEMPER or American FORK & HOE! If I oened your outfit I would put some good line on it(we now use POWEVER PRO and fish that outfit! It will out last you!( on the other side, LEN, your education always makes a impresion on me, and as for HURDPETE, thanks for the update on fencing, I am very scared of SHARP OBJECTS! ha ha , Anyone reading this thread can see we are not just a bunch of (REEL NUTS) that look and act like fishing reels, that we come from all walks of life and we are very much people ! Your Ohio Conection on Lake erie and former C-47 FLY BOY Col. M. lorens aka SWIM JIG

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:26 pm

I am not at home right now but if my memory serves me correctly, the name "Speedlock' was a name that Shakespeare used to discribe there handle and I believe it was trademarked. the Shakespeare version is the one with the two buttons on the sides rather than a thumb thing-a-ma-jiggy. I will dig a little deeper when I get home.
This is just a guess but I think that is an Action handle. Check the reel seat and see if it says anything.
"H"

Dale Noll · Post by **Dale Noll** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:25 am

Everyone is right, I think. I am looking at a True Temper Rod marked " Speedlock" Pat No. 1534674. It has the two Harvey nobs on the sides for quick release of reel. Also, it is a 4 sided metal rod with markings on all four sides as follows:

Side 1: Pat No. 83990 ( Probably a design pat.)
Side 2: Pat No. 175515(9)?
Side 3: True Temper Perfect
Side 4: B-Z

Now I was also lucky enough to have the original yellow tag on the end eylet. It reads as follow:

" This TRUE TEMPER ROD is equipped with CARBOLOY GUIDES"
"Carboloy, the hardest metal made by man, with its super hard polished surface is near frictionless. These guides are therefore the ultimate in quality and lifetime value. The only way we could improve them would be to use actual Diamonds."

The AMERICAN FORK and HOE COMPANY - Cleveland 15, Ohio

Now to top off this rod which is strongly magnetic, and the color of oxidized aluminum, there is a beautiful old Shakespeare Superior reel -1914 Model, 100 yds W.S.JR CO.

Hopes this helps to clarify. Dale.

SWIM JIG · Post by **SWIM JIG** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:32 am

cool-thumb USA Harvy you can look at several of them this Friday, I am looking at 3 speed locks marked TRUE TEMPER The American Fork& Hoe co. Geneva Ohio, they all have the side ears,pat #on 2 of them (2102237) the one is (PAT.No. 1534674) all have thoes wonderful cork handles> the other one with no ears just a thumb pull is marked 805. no name anyehere! and it has the cork handleone is Black, one is grey one is silver and one is maron red! Harvy the 2 butons are marked TRUE TEMPER the Thumb buster is not maqrked! I will dig up some others by the time you get here! I still say there is no rod with the action and sesitivity of a good FORK and HOE ROD! A person can feel a minow onthe hook when perch fishing! Your Ohio Conection on Lake Erie Col. M. Lorens aka SWIM JIG

gadabout · Post by **gadabout** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:59 pm

Harvey,

I think you may be thinking of Snap-Lock, which is a Shakespeare reel seat used on fly rods. The lower end of the reel seat was spring-loaded and you could just pull it, insert the reel, then let it snap back.

Outtie61 · Post by **Outtie61** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:54 pm

I belive True Temper also had an affiliation with a Guelph Ont, Canada company. I am too far away from a few samples to check...about 2500 miles.

Outtie61

Jim Madden · Post by **Jim Madden** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 9:13 pm

Gentlemen, last week Jim Music's sister called me about some things in his estate. Those who knew Jim knew him to be a dedicated reel historian and an all around good guy. His sister told me that before he died, he had finished a True Temper manuscript complete with introduction and chapters. Jim never got the chance to think about publishing. She asked me what she should do with it, and I said I would check with the membership to see if anyone would want to edit it and take the steps necessary for publication. I'm sure she's just trying to follow through with Jim's wishes, and she would share any profit. Otherwise, it's a wealth of information that is bound to be stuck in a drawer somewhere for who knows how long. I have the sister's name and number if anyone wants to give this a shot. I have too many irons in the fire. Let me know if there is any interest. Jim

Post by **john elder** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 9:32 pm

C'mon, Brian...step up to the plate! you da man!

True Temper Rod - Sport King Reel. Historical Info?

True Temper Rod - Sport King Reel. Historical Info?

True Temper

My best guess?

best guess

MY 8&1/2 cents worth!

looking at 4 of them!

True Temper