Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Skeeter, 1/32oz Red / Yellow / Nickel fishing spoon #12153

Nickel plating on the back of this 1/32 oz (1 g) spoon features a crisp "DARDEVLE SKEETER U.S.A." stamp that confirms its Dearborn, Michigan origins. Designated as Product Code 12153, the specimen measures exactly 1" (2.3 cm) and represents the smallest end of the Eppinger lineup. The convex face is finished in a high-contrast red and yellow pattern, while the concave interior remains a bright, reflective nickel. Scoring a 5/5, the spoon exhibits well-preserved paint and bright metalwork throughout. A sharp treble hook is linked to the body via a standard split ring, suitable for targeting trout or panfish on light tackle. Eppinger has produced these spoons since Lou Eppinger's early days in Detroit, utilizing proprietary dies to achieve the specific oblong curvature seen here. A clean line-tie hole sits at the narrow end of the teardrop shape.