Museum Archive: Rapala Original Floater F7, 1/8oz fishing lure #14481

Hand-crafted from lightweight balsa, this 1/8 oz (4 g) minnow is a fine example of the Irish-made Rapala Original Floater F7. Measuring 2 3/4" (7 cm) and carrying product code 14481, the lure features the classic Rainbow Trout finish with its signature pink lateral stripe, silver mesh scaling, and black spotting over a dark back. This specimen is unused, appearing just as it did when it left the factory. Its design allows it to reach depths of 3 ft (0.9 m) to 5 ft (1.5 m) during casting or trolling. The clear plastic diving lip is firmly seated, and the original hardware remains bright. This specific production period in Ireland is well-regarded by collectors for maintaining the buoyancy characteristics originally established by Lauri Rapala in the 1930s. The included box and 'Hand Tuned Tank Tested' inserts provide a glimpse into the traditional manufacturing quality that has defined the brand for decades.