Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Dardevlet , 3/4oz Black / White / Nickel fishing spoon #2372

Stamped with "Detroit, U.S.A." on its reverse side, this 3/4 oz (21 g) nickel-plated spoon represents the early era of Eppinger production before their 1959 move to Dearborn. The Dardevle Dardevlet, cataloged as product code 2372, features a distinctive high-contrast finish with a centered white stripe flanked by black, laid over a bright nickel base. Measuring exactly 2 3/4 inches (7 cm), the spoon’s concave teardrop shape is a technical design intended to produce a specific wobbling action during a steady retrieve. The face of the spoon shows the iconic devil head logo, though it has softened slightly over time. Turning it over, the "DARDEVLET DETROIT" stamp remains crisp and deep in the metal. The hardware consists of a sturdy split ring and a large treble hook, showing some light age-related wear but remaining structurally sound. Given its condition rating of 4/5, the lure presents as a well-preserved survivor with a clean surface and minimal paint loss. For the vintage collector, these Detroit-stamped pieces are particularly meaningful as they trace back to Lou Eppinger’s original Michigan roots.