Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Dardevle Spinnie, 1/3oz Orange / Black / Red / Nickel fishing spoon #2889

Measuring 1 3/4" (4.5 cm) and weighing 1/3 oz (9 g), this specimen showcases the classic craftsmanship of the Eppinger Dardevle Spinnie, listed under product code 2889. The top side is finished in a vibrant orange paint job featuring five distinct black dots and a red wedge detail where the signature devil head logo is stamped. Turning the spoon over reveals a polished nickel finish, deeply stamped with the "DARDEVLE SPINNIE" name. This concave shape, a hallmark of Lou Eppinger’s 1906 Detroit-founded company, was achieved through proprietary dies to ensure a specific weight distribution for casting. The lure is fitted with a brass-colored treble hook attached by a sturdy split ring. Its condition is a solid 4/5, showing light paint loss primarily along the outer edges of the orange finish, while the nickel side remains bright. These American-made spoons were once so trusted for their reliability that they were included in military aviation survival kits during wartime. The stamps on the reverse curve are crisp, maintaining the heritage of this Michigan-made fishing staple.