Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Cop-E-Cat 7400, 2/3oz Brown Trout / Brass fishing spoon #12826

Stamped clearly on the brass backside, 'COP-E-CAT 7400 DEARBORN MI.' marks the heritage of this Michigan-made classic by Eppinger. This specimen, assigned product code 12826, weighs 2/3 oz (19 g) and measures 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) in length. The front face showcases a complex Brown Trout pattern: a hammered silver texture covers the top half, transitioning into a rich yellow and brown gradient decorated with dark black spots. The iconic devil head logo is printed prominently near the line tie. Given a condition rating of 5/5, the lure appears exceptionally well-maintained, with the brass reverse side and silver-toned treble hook showing minimal signs of age. The Dearborn stamping on the reverse helps date its manufacture to the post-1959 era, following Lou Eppinger's company move from Detroit. This spoon is rigged with a sturdy split ring and a sharp, three-point hook designed for casting or trolling applications.