Museum Archive: Vintage Eppinger Weedless Dardevle Midget, 3/16oz Herring (Herring) / Nickel fishing spoon #2438

Weighing in at 3/16 oz (6 g), the Weedless Dardevle Midget is a specialized tool for working through heavy cover. The Herring / Nickel finish on this 1 1/2" (3.5 cm) spoon presents a distinct hexagonal scale pattern in light blue, accented by darker blue vertical bars and a central horizontal stripe. This specific specimen, cataloged under product code 2438, showcases the craftsmanship of Eppinger, a manufacturer deeply rooted in Michigan's fishing history. On the reverse side, the spoon is stamped with the "DARDEVLE MIDGET U.S.A." mark and the legendary devil head emblem. Its design incorporates a single hook fixed to the body, shielded by two thin wire weed guards intended for casting into thick vegetation where a treble hook would fail. The hardware is completed by a stainless split ring at the line tie. Regarding its state, the lure shows gentle wear consistent with a 4/5 rating. There is noticeable paint loss and minor oxidation at the nose tip where the nickel base is exposed, though the scale pattern across the body remains quite clear. The weed guard wires are still properly aligned, maintaining their tension for snag-free operation.