Museum Archive: Vintage James Aitken Muskielure, 3/4oz fishing spoon #18524

Red and white paint finishes the teardrop-shaped body of this 3/4oz (21g) James Aitken Muskielure, an early example of heavy-duty American tackle design. Measuring 2 3/4" (7cm), the lure features a unique weedless assembly where a single screw secures a spring-tensioned hook to the spoon's face. Percy Haver developed this hardware arrangement in the early 1930s to navigate the timber and weeds typical of trophy muskie waters. Identified by product code 18524, the metal construction shows honest evidence of use and time, resulting in a 4/5 condition rating. The painted surface remains distinct despite the natural wear that exposes the underlying metal. A heavy-duty split ring at the rear holds the original treble hook securely in place.