Museum Archive: Vintage Kautzky Lazy Ike, 1/4oz Perch fishing lure #4693

Stamped clearly along the side of the curved wooden body, the 'KAUTZKY LAZY IKE-3' identification marks this as a genuine Iowa-made piece from the Kautzky Manufacturing Company. Dressed in a traditional Perch finish, the lure showcases a warm yellow-gold base accented by dark green scale patterns along its arched spine. Measuring 3" (7.5 cm) and weighing 1/4 oz (7 g), the wood construction features the characteristic concave face tipped with a splash of red paint. The original belly and tail treble hooks show some light darkening but remain firmly seated. With a condition rating of 4/5, the specimen exhibits a soft, aged character and minor surface wear that reflects its vintage origin. This particular example is cataloged under product code 4693 and serves as a prime representative of mid-century American tackle design. The hardware is secured by classic screw-eye fittings, typical for these early wooden models intended for casting or trolling.