Vintage Wood Heddon Basser Lure Glass Eyes L-Rig Hardware Gold Scale 1928-1933 For Sale

Manufacturer: James Heddon’s Sons (Dowagiac, Michigan)Model: No. 8500 Basser (Early Wooden Production)Estimated Production Era: Late 1920s to Early 1930s (Circa 1928–1933)Material: Turned Wood BodyVisual Profile & AestheticsColor Scheme / Pattern: Finished in Heddon\'s iconic Gold Scale / Shiner Scale pattern. Features a thick, solid black spine stripe transitioning into a gold-and-orange crosshatch stenciled scale motif over aged yellow sides.Face accents: Finished with a bold, painted black \"mask\" around the eyes and a vibrant, stark red chin/throat splash.Eyes: Features premium, deep amber-and-black painted glass eyes physically set into sockets on the head. The pupils display the classic, slight factory misalignment typical of early hand-assembled baits.Hardware & RiggingDiving Plate: Outfitted with the early, swooping metal forward diving collar/nose plate wrapped around the sloped face. Faint original factory patent/brand stampings are present on the collar face.Hook Rigging: Rigged with heavy-gauge, original treble hooks secured to the belly using two-screw L-Rig hardware plates.Line Tie: Features a simple screw-eye loop embedded directly into the lower red chin.Condition Report & GradingPaint & Varnish: Honest, fished-in vintage condition. The body displays beautiful, uniform age-related paint crazing (fine lacquer spiderweb cracking) across the yellow flanks and belly.Flaws / Wear: Notable paint loss/chipping down to the pale base coat on the forehead and tip of the nose. A few minor pin-prick flakes on the black spine line.Hardware Condition: The metal collar, L-Rig plates, and screws are physically secure. The original treble hooks display moderate surface oxidation and rustic patina consistent with age and freshwater use. No modern repairs, clear coats, or touch-ups are present.