Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Seadevle Imp, 1oz Gray / Nickel fishing spoon #14683

Stamped clearly on the polished nickel backside is "SEADEVLE IMP DETROIT, U.S.A.", a hallmark of Eppinger's historic Michigan manufacturing roots before their 1959 move to Dearborn. This Dardevle Seadevle Imp, product code 14683, displays a striking gray and nickel finish characterized by a bold, black honeycomb scale pattern. The front is detailed with two painted yellow eyes with black pupils, a classic visual trigger used to mimic a baitfish profile. Measuring 3 1/4" (8.25 cm) and weighing a substantial 1 oz (28 g), this spoon is designed for deep-water casting or trolling. The hardware remains original, featuring a heavy-duty split ring at the nose and a large, silver-toned treble hook at the tail. Finding a Detroit-stamped specimen in such clean condition—rated 5/5—is a highlight for collectors tracking the evolution of Lou Eppinger’s designs. The plating on the concave side remains bright, providing high contrast against the textured scale pattern on the outer surface.