Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Dardevlet, 3/4oz Black Devle fishing spoon #19673

Weighing in at 3/4 oz (21 g), this Eppinger classic showcases the unmistakable Black Devle finish, a striking high-contrast black and white striped pattern designed for visibility across various water clarities. This specific specimen, identified by product code 19673, measures 2 3/4" (7 cm) and features the iconic devil head logo stamped directly onto the white center stripe. Flipping it over reveals the crisp "DARDEVLET" DETROIT U.S.A. stamp, a hallmark of the company’s roots before their move to Dearborn in 1959. The hardware remains robust, featuring a sturdy treble hook attached via a metal split ring. For the caster, this spoon's oblong shape and concave belly are engineered for a steady retrieve, a technique Lou Eppinger perfected in his Detroit basement starting in 1906. This lure shows gentle signs of time in the tackle box, reflecting a respectable condition of 4/5. The paint shows minor character marks from previous outings, yet the polished metal back retains a clean, reflective surface. Eppinger's proprietary dies were used to press this piece, ensuring the specific taper that made these spoons a staple in military aviation survival kits during wartime.