Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Weedless Dardevle Dardevlet , 2/3oz Red / White / Nickel fishing spoon #5407

Red and white enamel stripes are the hallmark of this 2 3/4" (7 cm) spoon, a design that has defined the tackle boxes of serious anglers for decades. This specific specimen is a weedless variant, featuring a single hook protected by a wire guard and dressed with a tuft of red feathers to help it glide through dense aquatic vegetation. Manufactured by Eppinger, the Michigan-based company founded by Lou Eppinger in 1906, the lure carries the classic devil head logo stamped directly onto the white stripe of its convex side. The reverse side shows a polished nickel finish where the manufacturer’s mark and the 2/3 oz (19 g) weight are clearly visible. In terms of preservation, the lure sits at a 4/5, displaying light paint chipping and minor surface marks that reflect its history without compromising its structural integrity. Known as product code 5407, this Dardevlet exemplifies the high-quality, USA-made hardware that was so trusted it was once included in military aviation survival kits. Casting this weighted spoon into thick cover or lily pads remains a preferred technique for those targeting northern pike or largemouth bass.