Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Midget Crystal, 3/16oz Crystal (Copper), discontinued in 1980s, fishing spoon #5607

Weighing in at a nimble 3/16 oz (6 g), this vintage casting spoon features a textured hammered finish designed to scatter light underwater. This Dardevle Midget Crystal, listed under product code 5607, measures 1 1/2" (3.5 cm) and comes in the Crystal (Copper) color scheme which Eppinger discontinued in the 1980s. The reverse side is stamped with the clear 'DARDEVLE MIDGET U.S.A.' mark, a signature of the Dearborn, Michigan manufacturer that has used proprietary dies for over a century. Its condition is rated a 5/5, with the metallic surface maintaining its original luster and the hardware appearing sturdy. The spoon is equipped with a clean treble hook attached by a strong split ring at the base of its oblong, concave body. While Eppinger is famous for their striped patterns, these hammered metal finishes are prized by collectors for their historical production window and by anglers for their subtle light-reflecting properties in clear water. The single mounting hole at the top is precisely punched for direct line tie or snap attachment.