If it's the old Orvis North Fork net it is far from breakable. I've had mine since the 1980's and it made of stainless steel and aluminum and is virtually indestructible. It is the best folding net I ever saw and I own a couple of S?lvkroken nets which are the best you'll find today.

I have no idea what you saw but the Orvis North Fork is a trout net and has a somewhat teardrop or diamond shape when open and is deeply knurled on the handle which is about 10" long. The whole net is no more than 12" or so folded. But I don't think they go back to the 1930's. Hardy also made lots of folding nets all the way back but they are more triangular in shape when open and had longer handles.