Museum Archive: Vintage Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/4oz silver fishing spoon #21346

Stamped with the 'Johnson Silver Minnow' mark on its inner surface, this 2 3/4" (7 cm) spoon is a classic example of American-made tackle history. Weighing in at 3/4 oz (21 g), the lure features a genuine silver plating that provides a brighter, whiter flash underwater than modern polished steel. The construction of product code 21346 relies on a specific copper and zinc alloy, intentionally cast thicker in the center to keep the single hook riding upright. This specimen includes the signature wire weed guard, designed to navigate lily pads and grass without snagging. This particular lure is in 4/5 condition, showing the quality of the vintage silver finish. Since production for these spoons eventually shifted to China, finding a US-made version like this one is a treat for those who appreciate the original alloy's weight and balance. The design's geometry is meant to direct flashes downward and to the sides, targeting the angles where fish typically strike.