Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Cop-E-Cat 7400, 3/4oz Red / Nickel fishing spoon #10473

Stamped clearly on the reverse side is the "COP-E-CAT 7400 DETROIT U.S.A." mark, anchoring this piece's heritage in Eppinger’s original home before the 1959 move to Dearborn. This 2 1/2" (6.5cm) spoon features a distinctive Red/Nickel color scheme, where a textured, glitter-flecked red inlay sits within the polished nickel frame. Weighing in at 3/4oz (21g), the lure is built for substantial casting distance and holds its depth well during a steady retrieve. The hardware is classic Eppinger, featuring a strong treble hook secured by a heavy-duty split ring. For a collector, finding this specimen with a condition rating of 5/5 is noteworthy, as the nickel retains a high-mirror finish and the stamped lettering remains crisp. Part of the broader Dardevle family, the Cop-E-Cat 7400, cataloged as product code 10473, represents the evolution of Lou Eppinger’s original 1906 basement designs into a diverse lineup that even saw use in military aviation survival kits. The oblong, concave body is designed for a characteristic wobbling motion that has been a staple in tackle boxes for over a century.