Kinney Bird Lure & Old Hickory Rod Maker

The Kinney Bird Lure & Old Hickory Rod Maker combine themselves to create one of the most desirable and elusive lures sought out by antique lure collectors. Shrouded in mystery is the complete story, we can only glean bits and pieces or crumbs to put together a time frame. Mr Herbert Kinney was a Michigan Native, a Rod Maker whose rise to fame in the sporting industry was mostly in the 1920 era. “Old Hickory” it was named, as a simplistic pun on words relating to his wares as a rod builder and craftsman to the angler.

Here are a few ads taken from the early 1920’s from such sporting magazines as Forrest & Stream, Outers, Field & Stream and American Angler.

While more widely known in the lure collectors circuit for his Kinney Bird Lure invention,the patent to which can be seen below. The Kinney Bird lure was patented in 1927 after he and his company moved from Bangor, Michigan to Tampa. Made of wood this glass eyed, 2 dimensional lure resembled that of an actual bird. Semi life like in appearance, the wing was partly painted on and part of the design of the lure. The lure had 2 treble hooks to secure its finny prey.

At some point in time Kinney was able to jump on the giant Heddon piscatorial machine and farm out the painting of these and advertised them as having a “Heddon” finish.

Old Hickory Rod Company  Ads

Fellow Club Member Stephen Rampersad was kind enough to share this awesome recent find of his. An actual catalog from the 1922 year. He is looking for more examples and information about the catalogs & can be reached at trickyfish3@gmail.com

H.A. Kinney Kinney Bird Lure Patent 73503 Granted September 20, 1927

Be it known the I Herbert Kinney a citizen of the United States residing at Tampa in the county of Hillsborough in the state of Florida have invented a new original, ornamental design for a Fishing Lure of which the following specification reference being had to accompanying drawing format part there of. The figure is a view in perspective of a fishing lure showing my new design.