Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Cop-E-Cat 7300, 1/3oz Pike / Nickel fishing spoon #5652

A hammered nickel finish provides the base for the distinctive pike pattern on this vintage spoon, catching light through its textured surface. Weighing in at 1/3 oz (10 g) and measuring 2 1/4" (5.5 cm), this Eppinger Dardevle Cop-E-Cat 7300 carries the product code 5652. The concave profile is a hallmark of the Eppinger design, paired here with a treble hook and a prominent set of yellow and black eyes painted onto the leading edge. On the reverse, the "COP-E-CAT 7300" stamp alongside "DETROIT U.S.A." points to the earlier years of production before the company moved to Dearborn in 1959. This specific specimen maintains a solid 4/5 condition, showing the light character of a lure that has seen some time in a tackle box while preserving its crisp stampings and original hardware. Designed for casting or trolling, the metal body is built to withstand the strikes of aggressive predatory fish. The scale-like pattern transitions from a darker grey to a lighter silver, mimicking the natural shimmer of forage found in North American waters.