Museum Archive: Vintage Luhr Jensen Klaw Baby Pre Rapala, 1/8oz fishing lure #21947

Tipping the scales at 1/8 oz (3.5 g), this vintage crustacean imitation is a standout example of Luhr Jensen’s early craftsmanship. The 1 1/2" (4 cm) body is finished in a realistic crawfish pattern, featuring a deep gradient of burnt orange and brown along the back that transitions into fine black shell detailing. This Klaw Baby Pre Rapala, identified by product code 21947, is preserved in 5/5 condition, showing remarkably clean surfaces and vibrant paintwork. Its curved anatomical shape terminates in a broad tail, while the underside reveals a smooth, pale tan belly and original bronze-toned hardware. Tiny pinkish eye accents at the front provide a subtle focal point, and the molded segments along the thorax highlight the attention to detail common in these earlier production runs. As a recognized rarity, this specimen retains all the hallmarks of a collector-grade piece from the pre-Rapala era.