Museum Archive: Vintage Mepps Aglia 3 dressed (squirrel tail), 1/4oz Brass spinning lure #3979

Brass tones dominate the stamped blade of this size 3 spinner, which displays the iconic Mepps Aglia branding. Weighing in at 1/4 oz (7.3 g) and measuring 2 1/4" (6 cm), this classic lure features a natural squirrel tail dressing on the treble hook, meticulously secured with red thread. The central body consists of brass beads with deep red accents painted into the ribbed sections, providing a distinct visual contrast. This specimen, assigned product code 3979, carries a 5/5 condition rating, appearing exceptionally well-preserved with sharp details and a clean finish on both the metal and the hair dressing. Its construction utilizes a cone rotation system intended to spin smoothly based on water resistance or retrieve speed. Originally conceived in France in 1938 by Andre Meulnart, these components were later assembled in the USA, a partnership that popularized the spinner across North American waters since the 1960s. The wide-profile blade is engineered to turn quickly during a retrieve.