Museum Archive: Vintage Johnson Silver Minnow, 1oz Nickel / wounded fry fishing spoon #1196

Tipping the scales at a substantial 1oz (28g), this classic weedless spoon brings plenty of weight for long-distance casts into heavy cover. Measuring 3 1/2" (9 cm), this Johnson Silver Minnow features a Nickel / wounded fry color scheme, characterized by a silver-to-dark-grey gradient body, a focused red nose, and a single black spot near the rear. The eye is rendered as a simple yellow dot with a black center near the line tie. This particular specimen carries the product code 1196 and was manufactured in the USA, hailing from an era before production moved overseas. The construction utilizes a thick metal alloy plated in nickel, designed with a central weight bias to keep the hook upright during retrieval. Its signature weedless wire guard is still firm, providing the necessary protection to navigate lily pads or thick cabbage without snagging. The condition is a solid 4/5, showing minor paint loss and small chips along the bottom edge and tip of the spoon's curvature, though the structural integrity remains excellent. On the reverse, the Johnson's Silver Minnow name is clearly embossed into the metal, a hallmark of these vintage American-made spoons.