Museum Archive: Vintage Mepps Aglia 3 Dressed, 1/4oz Brass spinning lure #16710

Stamped clearly into the French-made brass blade, the number '3' marks this 1/4 oz (7 g) Mepps Aglia 3 Dressed as a staple for any serious spinner collection. Measuring 2 3/4" (7 cm) in length, this specimen features the iconic red-ribbed body which provides a sharp visual contrast against the gold-toned metal. The treble hook is meticulously dressed with a blend of natural squirrel and deer hair, showing the classic dark brown and white barring that has been a Mepps hallmark since Todd Sheldon began importing these from France in the 1960s. This specific lure, bearing the product code 16710, represents the evolution of Andre Meulnart's 1938 design, featuring a cone rotation system engineered for immediate blade startup. The condition of this piece is a crisp 5/5, with the brass finish remaining bright and the hair dressing full and secure. The stamping on the blade proudly displays the 'Made in France' heritage, even though many of these were later assembled in the USA to meet North American demand. Every component, from the wire form to the weighted body, reflects the precision manufacturing that has helped this model account for countless record catches across various freshwater species.