Age Identification of old fishing pole

Question
Hello Robin,

I am hoping you can help me identify something. My father recently gave me one of my grandfathers old fishing poles. I haven't taken any pictures yet, but I will describe it as best I can.

Above the handle, where the reel would mount, it is marked "Bristol", and "3". The handle below the reel mount is cork, and has curves reminiscent of an old, glass coke bottle.

The pole has one fixed length, and three telescoping sections for a total of four sections. I haven't measured its extended length but it appears to be more than 8 feet.

The cross-section of the pole is not round, it is hexagonal.

The color of the metal under the dark green paint looks as though it were made of
copper or brass, not steel, but it is very hard to see in the small areas where the paint is worn.

I did some poking around the internet, and discovered a website:

http://oldreels.com/bristol_rods.htm

where it talks about the Horton Manufacturing company that made the Bristol brand. Apparently it was in business from the 1880's to the 1950's. While that narrows it down some, I am still trying to find a closer approximation of the poles manufacture date.

Can you help? Do you know someone who can?

Thanks in advance.

Scott Zinser


Answer
Hello Scott,

If you e-mail this information to me rmsayler AT mtu.edu I can forward it to a friend of mine who has an extensive collection of horton catalogs.  Then we can put a definite date on your rod.  It may take me a few days to here from him that is why I ask you to e-mail it to me.  

Robin