Museum Archive: Vintage Kautzky Lazy Ike, 1/3oz fishing lure #12480

The honeycomb scale pattern on the sides of this 3" (7.5 cm) wooden bait provides a window into the 1930-1950 production era of the Kautzky company. Carrying product code 12480, this original USA-made specimen predates the brand's acquisition by larger tackle conglomerates. The 1/3 oz (8.5 g) body is finished with a dark, rich brown spine and a touch of red paint on the tip of the nose. Its hardware remains well-preserved, featuring two treble hooks—one centrally mounted and one at the tail—secured by vintage eyelets. The distinctive scooped face is carved directly into the wooden body, with the line tie eyelet positioned inside the indentation. Rated as a 4/5, the surface remains remarkably clean, preserving the intricate painted details that collectors look for in early Iowa-carved lures.