Museum Archive: Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 1/2oz Gray / Black / Red fishing spoon #7943

Weighing exactly 1/2 oz (14 g), this specimen represents the classic American-made craftsmanship of the Johnson legacy. This lure is found in unused condition, still housed in its original bubble pack marked with product code 7943. Measuring 2 1/4" (6 cm) in length, the spoon features a unique minnow-style color pattern with a dark gray and black back fading into the silver-plated body. The use of real silver plating, rather than chrome, provides a specific white flash intended to mimic natural baitfish underwater. A rigid wire weed guard protects the single upward-facing hook, a hallmark of the "Original Weedless Wonder" design first developed by Louis Johnson in 1920. The spoon itself is stamped from a specialized copper and zinc alloy, providing the necessary weight to navigate heavy vegetation. As an older production piece made in the USA, it retains the vibrant yellow and orange packaging details characteristic of the brand's mid-century aesthetic.