Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Dardevlet , 3/4oz Red / White / Nickel fishing spoon #4206

A clear "DEARBORN MI." stamp on the polished nickel back dates this 3/4 oz (21 g) Dardevle Dardevlet to the post-1959 era after Eppinger's move from Detroit. Identified by product code 4206, this casting spoon measures 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) and sports the iconic red and white striped paint job. The black devil head logo is sharply printed on the white stripe, a hallmark of Lou Eppinger’s original design dating back to 1906. On the reverse, the "DARDEVLET" name is deeply stamped into the metal, highlighting the American-made craftsmanship. This specimen is in 5/5 condition, showing a bright, clean surface and fully intact paint without any visible blemishes. The original treble hook remains attached via a solid split ring, reflecting the heavy-duty construction used for casting or trolling for larger freshwater predators. The manufacturing dies used here are proprietary to the Michigan factory, ensuring the weight distribution is consistent for distance casting. During retrieves, the concave shape is designed to catch light and provide a high-contrast target, while the nickel backing offers a distinct flash in clear water conditions.