Looking for a Fishing Lure ID

This lure came along with several others from the estate of a person who had worked for the South Bend Bait Co. in the 1950s. I've looked thru my references, but can't find anything like it in SBBC or other makers' examples. It has a matte finish, glass eyes, no markings and is 2-1/2" long. Holes are predrilled for hooks, but none were ever attached. I'm wondering if it might be a prototype and hope someone here might be able to shed some light on it.