Received the rod today in the mail and compared it to my GI rods and it looks original to me. I'd post pics if I could find my camera (and knew how to post!!)...I'll keep looking.
It is just a tad under 20.5" long from end to end and is tarnished, but otherwise straight condition. The loop on the end is just about 1/8" larger in outside diameter than the GI rods and the slot is 9/16" long. The GI rods appear to be nicely bevelled on the end where they are threaded, but this long one appears to be almost flat across the end....just a tiny chamfer.
Anyway. I noticed the end appears to be soldered on....but the GI rods have pinned tips but close examination reveals no apparent pins through the tip on this one (maybe I'll have to get out the prussian blue...).
There is a bit of solder that ran and got on the side of the tip, as well as a bit that ran up the rod 1/4" or so.
Do the original rods ahve soldered on tips??
I'll find the camera and post a pic or two. Anyone with knowledge of these rods please let me know. Thanks!
john