Museum Archive: Mepps 3 Comet (with soft bait), 3/5oz Nickel spinning lure #1093

Nickel plating provides a classic finish on the size 3 blade of this Mepps Comet, which is clearly stamped with its French and British patent origins. Weighing 3/5oz (17g) and measuring 5" (13cm) in total length, this combination lure represents the mid-century partnership between French manufacturing and US assembly by Sheldon’s Inc. in Antigo, Wisconsin. Listed under product code 1093, the specimen remains unused and is preserved in its original vintage packaging. The back of the blade prominently displays the "Made in France" stamp, a key detail for collectors of early Mepps imports. Some light signs of age from long-term storage are visible on the metal surfaces, though the lure has never seen water. The construction pairs a traditional spinner assembly with a soft plastic minnow body, held in place by a coiled spring tensioner on the shaft. This specific configuration was marketed as a versatile tool for various game fish, utilizing the flash of the rotating nickel blade against the profile of the baitfish trailer.