Museum Archive: Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/4oz fishing spoon #2937

Real silver plating provides a brighter, whiter flash than standard chrome, a hallmark of the 3/4 oz (21 g) spoon found inside this vintage packaging. Bearing product code 2937, this specimen reflects the legacy of American manufacturing from Highland Park, Illinois. Measuring 2 3/4" (7 cm) in length, the thick-waisted spoon features an integrated wire weed guard designed to keep the hook clear of heavy vegetation. The lure is unused, preserved in its classic orange cardboard box which describes the model as "America's Favorite" for all game fish. Louis Johnson’s 1920 design relied on a specific copper and zinc alloy, visible here in the substantial build that helps the hook remain upright during a retrieve. The original box shows some storage wear on the exterior, while the silver finish on the metal remains bright.