Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Cop-E-Cat 7400, 1/2oz Red / Black / Nickel fishing spoon #4917

Stamped into the bright nickel-finished back of this spoon is the COP-E-CAT 7400 DETROIT USA mark, identifying its manufacture prior to Eppinger’s 1959 move to Dearborn. The face of the lure showcases a vibrant red-and-black split color scheme that is both fluorescent and features a UV glow for enhanced visibility in deep or stained water. At 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) in length and weighing 1/2 oz (14 g), the spoon carries the classic concave profile that produces its characteristic wobbling action. The original treble hook remains firmly attached by a split ring, and the overall paint and plating remain in good shape, earning a condition rating of 4/5. Lou Eppinger’s signature craftsmanship is evident in the stamped details and the precise taper of the metal, a design he began perfecting in his Michigan basement over a century ago. This specimen, identified by product code 4917, serves as a solid example of mid-century American tackle production from the Detroit era.