Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Imp, 2/5oz Red Devle fishing spoon #20249

Stamped with the iconic devil head logo on its convex face, this 2/5 oz (11 g) spoon features the timeless red and white "Red Devle" pattern that has been a staple in tackle boxes since Lou Eppinger's early days in Detroit. Measuring 2 1/4" (5.5 cm), this specific specimen, designated with product code 20249, showcases the signature oblong, concave shape that Eppinger's proprietary dies have produced for over a century. The back side reveals a clean silver-toned finish with the deeply engraved "DARDEVLE IMP U.S.A." marking. Its condition rates a 4/5, showing some minor paint loss and small chips along the edges from previous outings, though the central color field remains bold. The original treble hook is still attached via a split ring, showing a bit of darkening on the metal hardware characteristic of vintage pieces. This Imp model remains a classic example of American lure manufacturing, designed specifically for casting into clear or murky waters where the high-contrast stripes provide significant visibility.