Museum Archive: Vintage Cotton Cordell Gay Blade, 3/4oz fishing #21013

Weighing in at 3/4 oz (21 g), this vintage USA-manufactured blade bait features a distinct flat forehead designed to generate substantial water resistance during use. Three precise mounting points along the top ridge allow for tuning based on depth and speed, where the forward-most hole facilitates a faster retrieve by minimizing resistance. This Cotton Cordell Gay Blade, identified by product code 21013, measures 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) and displays a classic high-contrast black back over a cream belly, speckled with silver glitter flakes and a bright yellow eye. Rated at 4/5, the specimen shows light signs of its history, with original treble hooks still intact and the paint finish maintaining its integrity across the metal surface. The multi-hole adjustment system reflects the brand's early innovation in allowing anglers to modify the lure's feel depending on whether they are casting over flats or vertical jigging in deeper water.