The Zig-Wag Page
Welcome to the Zig-Wag page, dedicated to the Heddon Zig-Wag fishing lure. This site (hopefully) will provide some insight and history as well as some observations of the Heddon Zig-Wag. First, an introduction, my name is Pete Lellos and I am an avid fishing lure collector with my main passion in collecting being all models of the Zig-Wag. With very little information documented on the Zig Wag, I am constantly striving to gain and share information on this bait. Hopefully this site can provide a starting point for those wanting to gain and share info on this intriguing bait.
First, I want to clarify that I am not claiming to be an expert on these (or any other baits), just an avid collector willing to share the little information I have gained over the years. Much of the info is retrieved from catalogs, talking with other collectors, reference books and in some instances, common sense reasoning a.k.a. best educated guess. I always welcome input and will gladly give credit where it is due and hopefully will be able to add to the info through visitors to this site. Please feel free to contact me with anything you feel may be of significance in adding to the site. A special thanks goes out to the good folks at the Heddon Museum. Don and Joan Lyons have provided some excellent, relevant research regarding Zig-Wags during a recent visit.
I am going to attempt to present my observations and info in sections starting with a brief history of the bait then focusing on the many nuances including body style, markings, hardware, hook configurations, color patterns and age. I'll attempt to provide an estimate of the age/date based on the aforementioned characteristics but again, this is just a best guess deduced from many sources. I'll also highlight some of the tougher color patterns found on the Zig-Wag. As you will see, in attempting to put any rhyme or reason to the differing characteristics of this bait, there always seems to be an exception to the norm. With this in mind, please remember these are only my observation...not gospel.
As you view the site, pictures in the gallery sections can be "clicked" on to enlarge and reveal some additional commentary.
First, I want to clarify that I am not claiming to be an expert on these (or any other baits), just an avid collector willing to share the little information I have gained over the years. Much of the info is retrieved from catalogs, talking with other collectors, reference books and in some instances, common sense reasoning a.k.a. best educated guess. I always welcome input and will gladly give credit where it is due and hopefully will be able to add to the info through visitors to this site. Please feel free to contact me with anything you feel may be of significance in adding to the site. A special thanks goes out to the good folks at the Heddon Museum. Don and Joan Lyons have provided some excellent, relevant research regarding Zig-Wags during a recent visit.
I am going to attempt to present my observations and info in sections starting with a brief history of the bait then focusing on the many nuances including body style, markings, hardware, hook configurations, color patterns and age. I'll attempt to provide an estimate of the age/date based on the aforementioned characteristics but again, this is just a best guess deduced from many sources. I'll also highlight some of the tougher color patterns found on the Zig-Wag. As you will see, in attempting to put any rhyme or reason to the differing characteristics of this bait, there always seems to be an exception to the norm. With this in mind, please remember these are only my observation...not gospel.
As you view the site, pictures in the gallery sections can be "clicked" on to enlarge and reveal some additional commentary.
History
The standard size Zig-Wag was first offered in the 1928 Heddon catalog as model #8300 and per the catalog was 'improved" thus begging the question "was it produced earlier than 1928?" The patent was submitted on Sept. 15,1926 and granted on Nov. 27,1928. The earliest model Zig Wags have a sticker/label with the phrase "Pat App'd For" (see photo below) further suggesting the bait was being produced prior to its 1928 catalog offering. Based on this information, I think it safe to assume the Zig-Wag was in production a few years before being cataloged. After visiting the Heddon Museum in 2013, with the help of Joan and Don Lyon, some new information regarding when the Zig-Wag was first produced has surfaced. Some of the first correspondence mentioning the Zig-Wag between Charles Heddon and William Stoley occurred in September 1926. The letter, from Charles Heddon specifically states " Am anxiously awaiting receipt of the production samples of the new Luny Frog and Zig-Wag, also your finished models of the various sizes of the Zig-Wag." This, along with other letters/events (please see the section regarding the truck showing the Nov. 1926 letter) can give us evidence of the Zig-Wag being produced by late 1926. The 8300 Zig-Wag was not offered in the catalogs after 1942 so we will deduce that production of the 8300 ceased in 1942 or early 1943. Another point learned recently is the resolution of what "Improved" meant in the initial 1928 catalog offering of the Zig-Wag. Per a 1928 1 page dealer mailing titled New Heddon Goods for 1928, a brief description of the new improved Zig-Wag was presented stating " Slight changes have been made in this marvelous bait, and the treble hooks taken from the head section, making this by far the most erratic of all erratic movement baits." I'll expand more on this revelation in the "hardware" section below.
The bait was stated to be 4.5 inches long with the10 catalogued colors of 02(Red Head/White),9BF*(Bullfrog,Luny Frog),9D(Green Scale), 9MP(Pike Scale), 9P(Shiner Scale),9R(Natural Scale, 9DRH(Greenscale/Red Head), 9RRH(Natural Scale/Red Head), 9PRH(Shiner Scale/Red Head), and 9MRH(Pike Scale/Red Head). By 1930 the 9M,9P,9D and 9R color codes were not listed as cataloged colors with color code 9RH(White body, Silver Specks,Red Head) added. In 1936, color code 9P(Shiner Scale) was added again to the standard cataloged colors. As stated above, the catalog states the Zig-Wag being 4.5 inches. Per letters from Charles Heddon dated 1926, he specifically references "various sizes of Zig Wags. Furthermore, he mentions the "slim margin of action" and how the employees will "cooper the this matter with definite tools and jigs. A more in depth look will be taken at this recently learned data in the "body style" section below.
*per the 1928 catalog, Heddon introduced the "Luny Frog" pattern with its color code of 9B. As of the 1929 catalog, the code was changed to 9BF and was a catalog color for the Zig-Wag until 1940/41. Code BF was not a cataloged pattern in 1942. Some confusion arises since the pattern of frog spot (not Luny Frog/Meadow Frog/Bullfrog) had been being produced well before 1928 and was assigned the code 9B. With this said, a frog spot Zig-Wag 8309B would not be considered a cataloged color while the Luny Frog pattern 8309BF would be considered a cataloged pattern until 1936. For a bit more detail on the frog spot/Bullfrog patterns, see the section below.
Another nuance as far as cataloged vs. non cataloged patterns is the end label box listing the colors available. As shown below in the "box" section, an up leaping bass box is shown with a paper end label stating the stocked colors. Code 8301, which is rainbow, is not mentioned in any catalog I have seen as being a standard cataloged color yet is clearly stated on the end label on the box. Furthermore, the end label clearly has the Zig-Wag name printed on it, discounting the possibility the box is for another bait.
The Zig-Wag illustrations in the catalogs from 1928 thru 1935 show the Zig-Wag as having 2 hooks yet many trade catalog illustrations as well as advertising paperwork show the Zig-Wag with 3 hooks. After 1936, the illustration shows a 3 hook model. No mention of any differing hook configurations were mentioned in the catalogs yet pretty much any color pattern has been found in both 2 and 3 hook varieties. Most boxes I have seen do not indicate the number of hooks but I have recently acquired a brush box marked "2H" which would indicate a 2 hook model. The boxes marked with the hook count (2H o 3H) are not typical and I have only seen a few. All of the boxes with hook number configuration marks have been either Bass up or brush boxes with the baits being toilet seat or flap rigged baits. In 2012, I found a three hook model 8309P in a correctly marked bass up box with a 3H marking. Its a first for me and is pictured in the "box" section located below.
Throughout the production life of the Zig-Wag, many changes were made to the bait as will be explained in later sections. One explanation offered to me by a long time collector and researcher Bill Sonnett is that the Heddon factory was having many problems with consistency as far as the "action" of the bait, thus many variations were attempted in an effort to duplicate the desired action.
**Apparantly, the Heddon factory was having extreme difficulies getting the Zig-Wags action consistent. In discussing this, I must first acknowledge my deep appreciation to Bill Sonnett and Joan Lyons for providing some truly intriguing insight. Bill and Joan gave me copies of many letters/correspondence from the factory showing some of the tribulations of the Zig Wag and its production/developement headaches. These letters are a treasure trove of info though in many cases provide more questions than answers. Dating from September 1926 to February of 1927, these letters detail the developement of the zig wag, the luny frog and the yet to be named Spoony frog baits. Also frequently mentioned is the ongoing scale pattern lawsuits as well as Heddon's quest to dethrone South Bend's Bass Oreno success. Bill recently reached out to me and sent me these letters and I was just in awe of what I was reading...great history. While the full text of these documents is too far reaching for the scope of my website/collection, I have transcribed relevent quotes which relate to Zig Wags as well as few other interesting observations. These documents give only a glimpse of the big picture behind the development of the Zig Wag since these letters only represent 6 months in the process. Unfortunately, the beginning and finale of this bait's development remains a mystery to me.Throughout this site, I have inserted quotes from these letters where I feel is relevant to the topic being discussed.
One of the points I found particularly interesting from these letters was the determination of Heddon to overcome the success of South Bends Bass Oreno. The Bass Oreno was mentioned more than once in these letters and its success was apparently envied by Heddon. Here are a few quotes from these letters regarding the Bass Oreno:
"you know, it has always been a bit questionable as to the underlying cause of the phenomenal success of the Bass Oreno. I honestly think that it was a combination of movement coupled with foxy salesmanship"
"I am satified absolutely that in the Zig Wag, we will have a lure that will out Bass o Reno the South Bend production, three to one"
Keep in mind, these quotes were more than 10 years after the Bass Oreno was introduced. I think it is a great tribute to the importance of the Bass Oreno and its impact on the angling world.
Heddon definitely had high hopes for the new found erratic action of the Zig Wag. They saw it as a solid direct competitor to the Bass Oreno due to the "action". For one, the Zig Wag was heavily marketed ei the truck, hang tags, advertisements in an attempt to compete with South Bend. Secondly, it appears Heddon was so confident in the Zig Wag's appeal and action, Charles Heddon had visions of expanding the jointed baits throughout the line of lures. Here are a few interesting exerps.
"My present state of mind is that the movement we have is a world beater and...we should not surrender in our attempt to iron out the production obstacles....the movement is too grand to let it slip away from us. "
"The more I have watched the zig wag movement in the water, the more I am impressed that we have hit upon a fundamental gold mine in movement and am wondering if we will not see the day when we will be making all our lures with this flexible head piece to give us this wonderfully attractive and natural duplex movement of a fish. Will the day not come when most of our production will be based upon this principle, the only variationin our lures being the body design and variance of coloration"
Here are a few quotes showing the problems in development of the Zig-Wag.
9/4/26 " Don't fail to carefully test out the new production on the Zig-Wag and all other swimming baits, especially those which operate on such slim margin of action"
11/9/26" To keep you posted, wish to say Jack and I took fifty Zig Wag baits to the Mill Pond for a try out and on the whole, they gave splendid results but we did observe that a minority were inclined to run a triffle to the right and mind you, not a one running off to the left...somewhere in the structure, and I beleive entirely in the frontal section to be wrong. "
12/24/1926 " I note this letter chock full of analysis. I can with authority say that the zig wag bait is suffering from 3 distinct diseases all having the same affect ie running either to the extreme right or left. The first two are the line tie out of center and secondly the pins holding the link structure being off center throwing the two body sections out of alignment. Now thirdly, if the the frontal downward slanting plane is not exactly in the true square to the wooden body portion. Now, out of 2000 baits I have tank tested...discloses the fact that with our present gigs and tools inthe fasctory,the biggest monkey wrench we have to contend with is in getting the pins in absolute alignment. A zig wag ith pins so inserted that the two portions will not trail in perfect alignment will absolutely throw the bait out of its proper alignment. I showed conclusively that the vast majority of our present trouble was to be found in the application of our link feature. I am glad to come to the conclusion that the sawing off or the forming of downward slanting portion is the least of our troubles at this time. I am herewith enclosing part of a letter from your brother Will...to my utter amazement, he is giving the zig wag 100% compliment, which is saying a good deal for him."
In the mid to early 1930s, the model C8300 was introduced. It was equipped with heavy duty l-rig hook hardware and was targeting the Northwest salmon and saltwater angler. I have not seen a catalog entry for the model C8300, which has heavy duty L rig hardware. All of the C8300 models I have seen came in a up leaping bass box or a Brush box. I am unsure as to when this model was introduced and discontinued but based on body style and paint patterns, I would guess the mid 30's since that is when Heddon started the other line of salmon/saltwater rigged Zig-Wags. Further research suggests that the C8300 model was started around 1933/34. I make this educated guess based on the catalog introduction of the Basser C8500 series which have the same heavy duty l rigged hardware which was started in 1933/34.
Zig-Wag "Spook": I have seen a Zig-Wag Spook in another collection yet it is the only one I have ever seen. The "Spook" line were constructed of Heddon's early plastic, called pyralin, which was very unstable and deteriorated with age. The Basser Spook was produced yet very few survive intact today. Basser spook boxes are pretty common yet the baits are extremely tough to find. The Zig Wag Spook may have been a prototype of some sort as I have never seen a box marked as such, unlike Basser Spook boxes which show up regularly. A Zig-Wag Spook (or a marked box) would be a rare find for sure. in 2012, a spook prototype king Zig Wag surfaced and is featured in the "prototype" section below.
Heddon apparantly intended to produce the Zig Wag in Pyralin as evidenced by the quote below found in a letter dated 12/21/1926
"The next and last vital thing in the way of your experiments is to improve the form or shape of the zig wag, especially the frontal structure and to produce this lure in Pyralin."
While the model 8300 was discontinued by 1942, I have heard rumors that they were made after this date. I was recently contacted by the grandson of George Barber. George Barber is featured in the 1928( and later years) Heddon catalog showing his 49 pound musky taken on a Zig-Wag on Pelican Lake, WI. Per his grandson, his grandfather and his fishing buddies claim Heddon would make Zig-Wags especially for him well into the late forties and early fifties. I have absolutely no proof of this but one never knows.
Intro Model 8300 Zig-Wag
As stated above, the Zig-Wag was not cataloged until approximately 1928 yet Zig-Wags were being produced prior to its patent date and catalog appearance. These early "intro" models had a very different body style than those made after catalog introduction (1928). First, the body appears a bit longer, thinner and seems tapered near the rear. The eyes are placed in "indentations" in the head part. Some collectors refer to these as "scalloped" or "indented" eyes. Lastly, they had a sticker label along the belly as shown in the picture below. Often times the sticker is partly or completely worn off. I have not seen any with a painted stencil of any sort. All of these intro models I have seen sport three hooks and are L rigged. These early models are relatively tough to find, much more difficult than other l rigged models. As far as color patterns, I have seen them in typical common colors including shiner scale, green scale, pike scale, rainbow and mullet scale. I currently have a red head/white example and have yet to see another. With all the red head/white Zig-Wags out there, one would think these would be more common yet they are very difficult to find. I have also seen the intro model in Green crackle back and strawberry spot. Another observation as far as color patterns go is that besides the Red Head/White, I have never seen an intro model with a red head and scale pattern which is extremely typical in later model Zig-Wags. These intro model Zig-Wags would have came in a downleaping bass box without the Zig-Wag advertisement printed on the inside bottom and without a hang tag. Below are some pictures of these early into model Zig-Wags.
Here is a recent revelation regarding this style. This excerp was taken from a letter dated Nov. 6 1926
"As you you may imagine,both Jack and I are working persistently on getting production going on the new Zig Wag bait... subjecting everything to rigid tests. You know we decided on the old Head on basser frontal structure and assuming that a modification or a slight reduction in the tail end of the bait would be OK. We found , to our surprise, the slight reduction of the rear body did not produce satisfactory results. To our utter amusement, we found the same head structure which refused to produce with the new tail structure would perform splendidly with the old head on basser tail structure. This phenomenon is beyond explanation but simply shows that this particular style of bait ticklish critter full of crazy stunts."
This exerp clearly shows that by late 1926, it was decided to use the head and tail structure of the original Head On Basser which does not use the indented eyes and long tapered tail, thus scrapping the body structure of the pat pending model described above. It is still unclear as to when this patent pending model was first produced as the patent was applied for in September 1926.
As stated above, the Zig-Wag was not cataloged until approximately 1928 yet Zig-Wags were being produced prior to its patent date and catalog appearance. These early "intro" models had a very different body style than those made after catalog introduction (1928). First, the body appears a bit longer, thinner and seems tapered near the rear. The eyes are placed in "indentations" in the head part. Some collectors refer to these as "scalloped" or "indented" eyes. Lastly, they had a sticker label along the belly as shown in the picture below. Often times the sticker is partly or completely worn off. I have not seen any with a painted stencil of any sort. All of these intro models I have seen sport three hooks and are L rigged. These early models are relatively tough to find, much more difficult than other l rigged models. As far as color patterns, I have seen them in typical common colors including shiner scale, green scale, pike scale, rainbow and mullet scale. I currently have a red head/white example and have yet to see another. With all the red head/white Zig-Wags out there, one would think these would be more common yet they are very difficult to find. I have also seen the intro model in Green crackle back and strawberry spot. Another observation as far as color patterns go is that besides the Red Head/White, I have never seen an intro model with a red head and scale pattern which is extremely typical in later model Zig-Wags. These intro model Zig-Wags would have came in a downleaping bass box without the Zig-Wag advertisement printed on the inside bottom and without a hang tag. Below are some pictures of these early into model Zig-Wags.
Here is a recent revelation regarding this style. This excerp was taken from a letter dated Nov. 6 1926
"As you you may imagine,both Jack and I are working persistently on getting production going on the new Zig Wag bait... subjecting everything to rigid tests. You know we decided on the old Head on basser frontal structure and assuming that a modification or a slight reduction in the tail end of the bait would be OK. We found , to our surprise, the slight reduction of the rear body did not produce satisfactory results. To our utter amusement, we found the same head structure which refused to produce with the new tail structure would perform splendidly with the old head on basser tail structure. This phenomenon is beyond explanation but simply shows that this particular style of bait ticklish critter full of crazy stunts."
This exerp clearly shows that by late 1926, it was decided to use the head and tail structure of the original Head On Basser which does not use the indented eyes and long tapered tail, thus scrapping the body structure of the pat pending model described above. It is still unclear as to when this patent pending model was first produced as the patent was applied for in September 1926.
Zig-Wag JR. model 8340 and S8340
The 8340 Zig-Wag Jr. was introduced in 1937. It was 3.5 inches long and cataloged colors included 02(Red head/White),09DRH(Greenscale/Red Head), 09RRH(Natural Scale/Red Head), 09PRH(Shiner Scale/Red Head), 09MRH(Pike Scale/Red Head) and 09P(Shiner Scale). Color code 09 was only cataloged for 1 year and was gone by 1938. A 1938/39 box catalog has the bait offered in shiner scale (09D) yet the main catalog has no such offering. The Zig-Wag Jr. was also offered as a string rigged saltwater bait, # S8340 in 1939. The "S" model came with a cloth "skirt" which attached to what appears to be basically a thumb tack inserted into the bottom of the tail section. This feature was present on many string rigged baits offered by Heddon.
Production of the 8340 continued into the 1950's with a painted eye version(pictured below) available in its later production years. Zig-Wag Jrs made in the post war era with the painted eye also have 1 piece surface rig hardware. I have recently found an interesting Zig-Wag JR which has surface, 1 piece hardware and glass eyes. It is pictured below. I have only seen one other of these and is probably due to Heddon utilizing their glass eye stock during the transition to 1 piece surface hardware post WWII. Note the lack of black eye shadow which is not typical of red head/white baits of the time period, Per a 1950 catalog, the Zig-Wag JR was offered in red head/white and red head/shiner scale. Any Zig-Wag JR with 1 piece surface hardware and painted eyes in any colors other than those just mentioned would be considered uncatalogued and very tough. I can't remember ever seeing any painted eye Jrs in any other patterns than RH/White or RH/Shiner.
Most Zig-Wag Jrs are marked on the belly, rear portion with a straight stenciled marking although I do have a few flap rigged models which are not marked. It may be the markings have rubbed off over time or were never marked at the factory.
Production of the 8340 continued into the 1950's with a painted eye version(pictured below) available in its later production years. Zig-Wag Jrs made in the post war era with the painted eye also have 1 piece surface rig hardware. I have recently found an interesting Zig-Wag JR which has surface, 1 piece hardware and glass eyes. It is pictured below. I have only seen one other of these and is probably due to Heddon utilizing their glass eye stock during the transition to 1 piece surface hardware post WWII. Note the lack of black eye shadow which is not typical of red head/white baits of the time period, Per a 1950 catalog, the Zig-Wag JR was offered in red head/white and red head/shiner scale. Any Zig-Wag JR with 1 piece surface hardware and painted eyes in any colors other than those just mentioned would be considered uncatalogued and very tough. I can't remember ever seeing any painted eye Jrs in any other patterns than RH/White or RH/Shiner.
Most Zig-Wag Jrs are marked on the belly, rear portion with a straight stenciled marking although I do have a few flap rigged models which are not marked. It may be the markings have rubbed off over time or were never marked at the factory.
King Zig-Wag models 8350 and 8360
The 8350 and 8360 King Zig Wag were introduced in 1938 and 1939 respectively apparently targeting the Northwest salmon fisheries and saltwater anglers. The 8350 is 5 inches while the 8360 measures 6". These baits were rigged with a detachable string rig hook hangers and a thumbtack attachment in the rear for attaching a cloth or vinyl "skirt". As with the the 8340, production continued into the early 1950's with the transition from glass to painted eyes in the later years of production. The 8360 was discontinued in the late 1940s and was never produced with painted eyes.
King Zig Wags, models 8350 and 8360 as well as the model S8340(string rigged Zig Wag JR) were offered in patterns which appear to be in most cases specific for the saltwater/salmon market. Cataloged colors for the King Zig Wags were: "2" White/Red Head, 2M White, Red Gills, 9P Shiner Scale, 9PAS Allen Stripey, 9PBH. Blue Herring, 9YS Yellow Scale, 9PLXR Pearl X-Ray, and 9 SPRH. Spotted Red Head. With the exception of Shiner Scale and Red Head/White, most of these patterns were exclusive to the salt water/salmon line of Heddon Baits. Also of note, the Shiner Scale pattern of King Zig Wags and especially King Bassers were supposedly a very popular and successful pattern for salmon in the Pacific Northwest which may explain why these baits are pretty common in the Shiner Scale pattern. Later cataloged colors would include the popular Yellow Shore (code XRY) in 1940. While most cataloged colors are relatively common, the uncataloged patterns, as to be expected, are somewhat tough to find like Yellow Scale Shore, Pike Scale, Perch Scale. These models were all string rigged so any surface rigged baits with these patterns, except for shiner scale and white/red head, are also pretty tough to find. I have a few examples shown below of Zig Wag Jrs. in surface flap rig in these patterns. King Zig Wags have also been found with red heads which were not found in any catalog as a catologed color (except for red head/white). Lastly, many of these patterns had a red gill mark which is also unique to the salt water/salmon baits offered in these patterns. For further info and images of these patterns, please see the Heddon Color Info page by pressing the link below.
King Zig Wags, models 8350 and 8360 as well as the model S8340(string rigged Zig Wag JR) were offered in patterns which appear to be in most cases specific for the saltwater/salmon market. Cataloged colors for the King Zig Wags were: "2" White/Red Head, 2M White, Red Gills, 9P Shiner Scale, 9PAS Allen Stripey, 9PBH. Blue Herring, 9YS Yellow Scale, 9PLXR Pearl X-Ray, and 9 SPRH. Spotted Red Head. With the exception of Shiner Scale and Red Head/White, most of these patterns were exclusive to the salt water/salmon line of Heddon Baits. Also of note, the Shiner Scale pattern of King Zig Wags and especially King Bassers were supposedly a very popular and successful pattern for salmon in the Pacific Northwest which may explain why these baits are pretty common in the Shiner Scale pattern. Later cataloged colors would include the popular Yellow Shore (code XRY) in 1940. While most cataloged colors are relatively common, the uncataloged patterns, as to be expected, are somewhat tough to find like Yellow Scale Shore, Pike Scale, Perch Scale. These models were all string rigged so any surface rigged baits with these patterns, except for shiner scale and white/red head, are also pretty tough to find. I have a few examples shown below of Zig Wag Jrs. in surface flap rig in these patterns. King Zig Wags have also been found with red heads which were not found in any catalog as a catologed color (except for red head/white). Lastly, many of these patterns had a red gill mark which is also unique to the salt water/salmon baits offered in these patterns. For further info and images of these patterns, please see the Heddon Color Info page by pressing the link below.
Navy Issue King Zig Wag
I'm still researching the info on these baits. As seen in the pic, the box has a label on the back of the box bottom stating Navy and E.K. Tryon (a retailer) dated 03/01/1950. I've heard a few theories such as these baits were part of a survival kit or they were given to sailers for R and R. I have also been told that these were sold in Navy commissaries. Whatever the story is, these baits are painted eyed model 8350 and came in a banner box. The only color I have seen these in this particular box is PLRX, pearl shore minnow.
I'm still researching the info on these baits. As seen in the pic, the box has a label on the back of the box bottom stating Navy and E.K. Tryon (a retailer) dated 03/01/1950. I've heard a few theories such as these baits were part of a survival kit or they were given to sailers for R and R. I have also been told that these were sold in Navy commissaries. Whatever the story is, these baits are painted eyed model 8350 and came in a banner box. The only color I have seen these in this particular box is PLRX, pearl shore minnow.
Here is an image from a 1939 newspaper clip showing a Heddon employee finishing King Zig Wags
Model C8300 Zig Wag with Heavy Duty L rig
Not much info is available on this model as it was not found in any catalogs yet was offered as an option. Thanks to Joan Lyons of the Heddon Museum, a small bit of info on this model has come to light. Per Joan, a description found in a 1932/33 supplement the following entry was found:
Zig–Wag No. C8300, 1932–1933. “Lures for steel head, salmon and striped bass”. No catalog picture. C8300 Zig–Wag. Gumwood body, 3 extra heavy trebles and fastener.Length Slightly larger than regular No. 8300
Cost: $ 1.25
The model C8300 was first produced in approximately 1932/33. It is unknown exactly when it went out of production but one can assume it was discontinued by 1942 at the latest. The C8300 models have a slightly larger body length than the standard 8300 and sports a heavy duty L rig hook rigging. Per the supplement listing, the C series came with three trebles yet I have NEVER seen a C model with three trebles, only two large treble hooks. This heavy duty L rig is the same found on other heavy duty, musky/saltwater Heddon baits such as the C8500 Bassers, and Giant and great vamps. While the aforementioned baits can be found with a heavy duty toilet seat rig, I have never seen a Zig Wag fitted with the heavy duty toilet seat, only the heavy duty L rig. The C8300 series also had a larger, thicker gauge rear hook hanger as well as larger, thicker hooks than the standard 8300 model. All that I have found have a belly weight located in the body portion of the bait. I have yet to find any mention of this specific model in any catalogs but I have seen a catalog entry for the "C" model Basser and Lucky 13. This entry is from a 1934 catalog and is pictured below. It states the "C" model was intended for steelhead, salmon and stripers and is equipped with heavy duty hardware and is slightly larger in size. All of these baits that I have found have been in a up bass box but I'm sure some exist in the later brush box. I highly doubt any came in a down bass box as these boxes were phased out by the late 1920s. I'm not sure exactly what patterns/colors these were offered in but have seen them in Pike scale/RH, shiner scale, shiner scale/RH, red head/White, Silver Herring, Green scale, green scale/RH, Pearl, Perch scale/RH and Pearl/RH. Per the 1932/33 supplement listing, the c model was available in the following patterns:Bull Frog C8300BF,Green Scale, Red Head C8309DRH,Pike Scale, Red Head C8309MRH,Shiner Scale, Red Head C8309PRH,
Natural Scale, Red Head C8309RRH.White Body, Silver Specks, Red Head C8309RH
There appears to be two types of the heavy duty L rigging. As shown below, one type has a larger diameter cup with a typical, curved L rig while the other has a smaller cup and a flatter l rig. I'm pretty sure the flat l rig is earlier. Lastly, I have yet to see any mention of this heavy duty C8300 model in any catalog. Maybe it was just an option available for special order. Any additional info is surely welcome. On an ending note, the "C" models are pretty tough to find, especially in nice condition ( as most were used in saltwater environs) yet do not command a significant premium valuewise.
Zig–Wag No. C8300, 1932–1933. “Lures for steel head, salmon and striped bass”. No catalog picture. C8300 Zig–Wag. Gumwood body, 3 extra heavy trebles and fastener.Length Slightly larger than regular No. 8300
Cost: $ 1.25
The model C8300 was first produced in approximately 1932/33. It is unknown exactly when it went out of production but one can assume it was discontinued by 1942 at the latest. The C8300 models have a slightly larger body length than the standard 8300 and sports a heavy duty L rig hook rigging. Per the supplement listing, the C series came with three trebles yet I have NEVER seen a C model with three trebles, only two large treble hooks. This heavy duty L rig is the same found on other heavy duty, musky/saltwater Heddon baits such as the C8500 Bassers, and Giant and great vamps. While the aforementioned baits can be found with a heavy duty toilet seat rig, I have never seen a Zig Wag fitted with the heavy duty toilet seat, only the heavy duty L rig. The C8300 series also had a larger, thicker gauge rear hook hanger as well as larger, thicker hooks than the standard 8300 model. All that I have found have a belly weight located in the body portion of the bait. I have yet to find any mention of this specific model in any catalogs but I have seen a catalog entry for the "C" model Basser and Lucky 13. This entry is from a 1934 catalog and is pictured below. It states the "C" model was intended for steelhead, salmon and stripers and is equipped with heavy duty hardware and is slightly larger in size. All of these baits that I have found have been in a up bass box but I'm sure some exist in the later brush box. I highly doubt any came in a down bass box as these boxes were phased out by the late 1920s. I'm not sure exactly what patterns/colors these were offered in but have seen them in Pike scale/RH, shiner scale, shiner scale/RH, red head/White, Silver Herring, Green scale, green scale/RH, Pearl, Perch scale/RH and Pearl/RH. Per the 1932/33 supplement listing, the c model was available in the following patterns:Bull Frog C8300BF,Green Scale, Red Head C8309DRH,Pike Scale, Red Head C8309MRH,Shiner Scale, Red Head C8309PRH,
Natural Scale, Red Head C8309RRH.White Body, Silver Specks, Red Head C8309RH
There appears to be two types of the heavy duty L rigging. As shown below, one type has a larger diameter cup with a typical, curved L rig while the other has a smaller cup and a flatter l rig. I'm pretty sure the flat l rig is earlier. Lastly, I have yet to see any mention of this heavy duty C8300 model in any catalog. Maybe it was just an option available for special order. Any additional info is surely welcome. On an ending note, the "C" models are pretty tough to find, especially in nice condition ( as most were used in saltwater environs) yet do not command a significant premium valuewise.
Unknown Model
Here is a strange one that I recently found in the field. It is a string rigged 8500. I'm not sure if its a fisherman's modification or a factory special. Again, any insight is welcome.
Here is a strange one that I recently found in the field. It is a string rigged 8500. I'm not sure if its a fisherman's modification or a factory special. Again, any insight is welcome.
Body Style
Its pretty much in agreement between collectors that the first model had a much longer, tapered rear body style than those produced later. These longer tapered body, as shown in the pictures all have an "indented" eye. As discussed in the History section, this model was most likely produced and sold prior to the 1928 catalog introduction of the Zig Wag.
The next body style produced had much less of a taper on the rear section and appears fatter. This style appears throughout the remainder of the production years. As shown in the pictures, examples show a model with the "indented" eye without the tapered tail. In my opinion, this is probably the second style. Maybe Heddon was just using up the old indented eye heads? Another observation regarding the "indented" eyed models is that I have never seen one in a two hook configuration. I'm not saying one isn't out there but I have been collecting these for 15 years now and have yet to see a two hook model with the indented eyes.
Based on info obtained from the Heddon Museum, especially from the letter from Charles Heddon shown below, it appears as if the Zig Wag had various body styles from the get go. According to the letter, Charles Heddon anticipated "finished models of the various sizes of Zig Wags" Once again, this data poses more questions than answers yet does shed some light on the early, sticker label/dent eyed models. There are two distinctively different size and body style of the early dent eyed models with none I've ever seen being the two hook variety. What does not make sense is that there is extremely little documentation regarding the differences in shapes. One would think, with all the marketing effort put into the Zig Wag ( they painted their trucks in Zig Wag themes) that more explanation would be readily available to the consumer regarding the differing body styles and hook configurations. I'm still scratching my head on this one. What I can now firmly believe is that the dent eye, sticker label models and the taper tail/dent eye models were probably being produced simultaneously. For reasons not yet known, the taper tail model was discontinued while the shorter, fatter style prevailed. After reviewing letters from the factory, it appears evident that the structure of the head and tail section were finalized as being the same as the Head On Basser (no indented eye) by November 1926 as evidenced by the following quote:
11/5/26 "As you you may imagine,both Jack and I are working persistently on getting production going on the new Zig Wag bait... subjecting everything to rigid tests. You know we decided on the old Head on basser frontal structure and assuming that a modification or a slight reduction in the tail end of the bait would be OK. We found , to our surprise, the slight reduction of the rear body did not produce satisfactory results. To our utter amusement, we found the same head structure which refused to produce with the new tail structure would perform splendidly with the old head on basser tail structure. This phenomenon is beyond explanation but simply shows that this particular style of bait ticklish critter full of crazy stunts."
Below is an exerp regarding the problems encountered with the cut/angle of the head section.
12/24/1926 "Now thirdly, if the the frontal downward slanting plane is not exactly in the true square to the wooden body portion. Now, out of 2000 baits I have tank tested...discloses the fact that with our present gigs and tools inthe fasctory,the biggest monkey wrench we have to contend with is in getting the pins in absolute alignment. A zig wag ith pins so inserted that the two portions will not trail in perfect alignment will absolutely throw the bait out of its proper alignment. I showed conclusively that the vast majority of our present trouble was to be found in the application of our link feature. I am glad to come to the conclusion that the sawing off or the forming of downward slanting portion is the least of our troubles at this time. "
After the indented eye models comes the most commonly found body style with no indented eyes and the fatter(not tapered) style rear section as shown in the photos.
Three hook l-rigged Zig Wags appear a bit shorter and fatter than the two hooked models. As shown below in the pictures, the three hooked models are approximately 4 inches while the two hooked models are 4.25 inches. No mention of differing body lengths were observed in any of the cataloges I have seen providing yet another question as to why the two different lengths. Later toilet seat and flap rig models do not have the differing lengths between the 2 and 3 hooked models with all models(2 and 3 hooks) being approximately 4.25 inches.
Later Zig Wags with toilet seat and flap rig hardware appear to be larger in diameter than the earlier l rig models. Some transition era Zig Wags(those with toilet seat/flap rig and a bar body connector) appear to have the smaller diameter body similar to the L-rigged models. Its a probability that Heddon was using up their old stock of bodies while utilizing the newer hardware.
Body styles for series # 8340,8350 and 8360 remained unchanged throughout their production. One difference in the 8350 and 8360 models is the eye type and size. Earlier models appear to have a smaller glass eyes with Heddon transitioning to the larger diameter glass eye then to the "Teddy Bear" eyes. In the 1950's the model 8350 was produced with painted eyes. 8360 models were not produced in the painted eye era. Early models of the 8360 have the smaller glass eyes as well yet I do not have a photo for an example.
Zig Wag Jrs were produced with glass eyes with the same size eyes as the standard 8300 models. I have not seen a JR with teddy bear eyes. Later JRs have a painted eye. I have seen one Zig Wag JR with plastic. tack eyes like those used in the 1960s for Heddon reissue baits. This bait was pictured in an ID guide. I have yet to see another.
The next body style produced had much less of a taper on the rear section and appears fatter. This style appears throughout the remainder of the production years. As shown in the pictures, examples show a model with the "indented" eye without the tapered tail. In my opinion, this is probably the second style. Maybe Heddon was just using up the old indented eye heads? Another observation regarding the "indented" eyed models is that I have never seen one in a two hook configuration. I'm not saying one isn't out there but I have been collecting these for 15 years now and have yet to see a two hook model with the indented eyes.
Based on info obtained from the Heddon Museum, especially from the letter from Charles Heddon shown below, it appears as if the Zig Wag had various body styles from the get go. According to the letter, Charles Heddon anticipated "finished models of the various sizes of Zig Wags" Once again, this data poses more questions than answers yet does shed some light on the early, sticker label/dent eyed models. There are two distinctively different size and body style of the early dent eyed models with none I've ever seen being the two hook variety. What does not make sense is that there is extremely little documentation regarding the differences in shapes. One would think, with all the marketing effort put into the Zig Wag ( they painted their trucks in Zig Wag themes) that more explanation would be readily available to the consumer regarding the differing body styles and hook configurations. I'm still scratching my head on this one. What I can now firmly believe is that the dent eye, sticker label models and the taper tail/dent eye models were probably being produced simultaneously. For reasons not yet known, the taper tail model was discontinued while the shorter, fatter style prevailed. After reviewing letters from the factory, it appears evident that the structure of the head and tail section were finalized as being the same as the Head On Basser (no indented eye) by November 1926 as evidenced by the following quote:
11/5/26 "As you you may imagine,both Jack and I are working persistently on getting production going on the new Zig Wag bait... subjecting everything to rigid tests. You know we decided on the old Head on basser frontal structure and assuming that a modification or a slight reduction in the tail end of the bait would be OK. We found , to our surprise, the slight reduction of the rear body did not produce satisfactory results. To our utter amusement, we found the same head structure which refused to produce with the new tail structure would perform splendidly with the old head on basser tail structure. This phenomenon is beyond explanation but simply shows that this particular style of bait ticklish critter full of crazy stunts."
Below is an exerp regarding the problems encountered with the cut/angle of the head section.
12/24/1926 "Now thirdly, if the the frontal downward slanting plane is not exactly in the true square to the wooden body portion. Now, out of 2000 baits I have tank tested...discloses the fact that with our present gigs and tools inthe fasctory,the biggest monkey wrench we have to contend with is in getting the pins in absolute alignment. A zig wag ith pins so inserted that the two portions will not trail in perfect alignment will absolutely throw the bait out of its proper alignment. I showed conclusively that the vast majority of our present trouble was to be found in the application of our link feature. I am glad to come to the conclusion that the sawing off or the forming of downward slanting portion is the least of our troubles at this time. "
After the indented eye models comes the most commonly found body style with no indented eyes and the fatter(not tapered) style rear section as shown in the photos.
Three hook l-rigged Zig Wags appear a bit shorter and fatter than the two hooked models. As shown below in the pictures, the three hooked models are approximately 4 inches while the two hooked models are 4.25 inches. No mention of differing body lengths were observed in any of the cataloges I have seen providing yet another question as to why the two different lengths. Later toilet seat and flap rig models do not have the differing lengths between the 2 and 3 hooked models with all models(2 and 3 hooks) being approximately 4.25 inches.
Later Zig Wags with toilet seat and flap rig hardware appear to be larger in diameter than the earlier l rig models. Some transition era Zig Wags(those with toilet seat/flap rig and a bar body connector) appear to have the smaller diameter body similar to the L-rigged models. Its a probability that Heddon was using up their old stock of bodies while utilizing the newer hardware.
Body styles for series # 8340,8350 and 8360 remained unchanged throughout their production. One difference in the 8350 and 8360 models is the eye type and size. Earlier models appear to have a smaller glass eyes with Heddon transitioning to the larger diameter glass eye then to the "Teddy Bear" eyes. In the 1950's the model 8350 was produced with painted eyes. 8360 models were not produced in the painted eye era. Early models of the 8360 have the smaller glass eyes as well yet I do not have a photo for an example.
Zig Wag Jrs were produced with glass eyes with the same size eyes as the standard 8300 models. I have not seen a JR with teddy bear eyes. Later JRs have a painted eye. I have seen one Zig Wag JR with plastic. tack eyes like those used in the 1960s for Heddon reissue baits. This bait was pictured in an ID guide. I have yet to see another.
Markings
The early taper tailed models came with a sticker as shown in the photos. Examples of the later fatter body style have been found with the sticker as well. (note the indented eye, fatter body style and sticker label).
Next, a stencil around the belly hook or the elongated script markings are observed on most of the later models. My observation shows MOST 3 hook models of the later style having the stencil around the belly hook and MOST 2 hook models showing the script markings. I say most since I have examples of just the opposite as seen in the following pictures. As said earlier, there seems to always be an exception. A variation of the stencil around the belly weight is apparent in some l rigged models as shown in the last picture below. This marking appears larger than the typical script with a slightly different style as well as using lower case letters. I have no idea what the difference is attributed to...maybe a different employee doing the marking of that batch? All I have seen are on the early, dent eye, 3 hook model and is much more scarce than the typical, all caps stencil. Due to this, I make the assumption that the lower case stencil is earlier than the all caps stencil which is apparent in baits dating to the late 1930s based on paint, hardware and body style. It is tough to use the markings to put a date on a particular bait. I have seen baits that are definitely 1928 baits that have been observed with either the elongated script or the script around the belly. Many people mistakenly claim "early stencil markings" yet the the markings went relatively unchanged throughout the production life of the Zig Wag and is not a reliable indicator of age.
Lastly, a straight stencil located beneath the belly hardware is observed. I happened across this one day thinking the bait was unmarked and low and behold, it was barely visible until the hardware was removed. I have since found others like this as well. It is my best guess that these were probably some of the last 8300 Zig Wags produced based on hardware (all I've seen are Flap Rig) and later style boxes (Brush Box).
Some are not marked at all. I have a few in my collection that are not marked and have spoke with other collectors who also have unmarked Zig Wags. All the unmarked Zig Wags I have or have seen are in uncataloged colors ie. all White, Black, Black/RH, GCB, GCB/RH(see above photo) and all Red. As with everything else, there are exeptions to this as I have seen these patterns with markings..
Markings on the 8340, 8350 and 8360 have remained relatively consistent with a straight stencil on the belly or chin(8360) and are marked "King Zig Wag". Later model 8360's are just marked "Heddon" under the chin. Early examples of the 8350 appear to have the straight script markings on the belly. The script on these early King Zig Wags are simply marked "Heddon Zig Wag" in the same manor as model 8300 with no mention of 'king" in the marking. Examples are shown below.
2nds: I have seen a few Zig Wags marked "2nd" and do own a few. I don't know the exact details on these as they seem to look normal. Are they not up to Heddon standards? I have heard speculation that they may have been substandard and given to employees to fish with and marked "2nd" as to avoid resale. Again, speculation. Hopefully someone with knowledge on this will chime in.
***After visiting the Heddon Museum in 2013, Don Lyons, the curator has shed some definitive light on "2nds". Don stated this info came directly from Tryg Lund. As with any production line, defects happen and Heddon was no different. At the height of production, Heddon was producing 12,000 lures per day. Even by today's standards, a 2% to 3% rate in defects is expected and considered pretty good. Given this, at 10,000 lures per day and a 3% defect rate, 300 defects a day were being produced. The vast majority of 2nds were some kind of paint defect or substandard paint/varnish application. These baits, per Don, were given to the salesman to give away to their clients strictly as a goodwill gesture. These were given away all over the country which explains the wide geographical area 2nds are found in. Finally some sense is brought forward to the issue of "2nds"...once again, thanks to Don!
Colors of the markings include red, black, green, gold, and white.
Hardware
Typical hardware variations follow Heddon's progression with L-Rig, Toilet Seat and Flap Rig configurations. Lrig was used until approximately 1932, then toilet seat rigging (1933 and 1934) until approximately 1935 then on to the 2 piece flap rig. As with most Heddon baits, the depression era brought about the need to 'use whatever was in stock" thus to be expected, the Zig Wag can be found with some unexpected hardware configurations. Most of these oddball configurations are found on the depression era baits. As shown in the pictures, a straight screw eye rear hook hanger is observed on baits with front hardware being flap or toilet seat rigging. I have seen a later l-rigged bait with a 2 piece rear hanger (attributed to the depression era due to paint pattern). I'm sure there are many others out there.
One other oddity is the use of what some call the "stoley" line tie. This type of line, as shown in the pictures, was used on much earlier vintage vamps(vampires) produced well before the Zig Wag was produced. Was Heddon again utilizing old parts? Did the factory run out of screw eyes that day? One possibility is that they were used during the depression era to utilize old or spare hardware. Yet another unanswered question. Bill Sonnet has graciously shed some light on this line tie. According to his research, Jack Welch of Heddon is credited with introducing this line tie to the Zig Wag in an effort to provide more consistency in its "action". Obviously, it must not have proved effective since it apparently did not last long in production. Some observation I have noticed regarding this line tie is that I have only seen this on three hook, L rigged stout body style models without indented eyes and all capital letter stencil around the belly hook. Below are a few excerps of letters from the Heddon factory regarding hardware issues including details regarding this line tie.
12/21/1926 " I know it is unnecessary for me to expatiate any further on the subject of the vital necessity of our completely overcoming the defect in the zig wag which has been making us so much trouble. Of course, I gave it to you in my opinion that this must result from 1 or 2 moving parts...the link or the hooks. I am more suspicious that our trouble in the zig wag may be due to different positions the hook may assume on different casts. If the trouble is in the hooks, I assume this would be overcome by discontinueing the turning of the screw hook down so deeply into the socket, which would relieve the shank of the hook from hanging to much at right angles with the body. "
12/24/1926 " I note this letter chock full of analysis. I can with authority say that the zig wag bait is suffering from 3 distinct diseases all having the same affect ie running either to the extreme right or left. The first two are the line tie out of center and secondly the pins holding the link structure being off center throwing the two body sections out of alignment. Now thirdly, if the the frontal downward slanting plane is not exactly in the true square to the wooden body portion. Now, out of 2000 baits I have tank tested...discloses the fact that with our present gigs and tools inthe fasctory,the biggest monkey wrench we have to contend with is in getting the pins in absolute alignment. A zig wag ith pins so inserted that the two portions will not trail in perfect alignment will absolutely throw the bait out of its proper alignment. I showed conclusively that the vast majority of our present trouble was to be found in the application of our link feature. "
02/05/1927 " I cannot tell you how Jacks new line tie performs for the reason that forming dyes had to be made first before we could observe the final results. I feel hopeful that this line tie can be placed much more accurately as a production proposition than possible with the long shank screw eye. Jacks line tie is not subject to moving sideways though started at the beginning in the correct position. You know, the long screw eye, though started correctly, will be very often deflected before it has finished its travel through the wood. I am very hopeful that we have reason to believe that a considerable part of our troubles will be eliminated in this movement."
02/10/1927 "let me dwell a moment on the liquid or mobile line tie feature. Your scheme of trying out a via flexible line tie is in theory OK . I have made some experiments with a metal or wire arrangement and which does not prove of satisfactory results. The reason is it is not mobile,liquid or sensitive enough to do justice to the scheme. My present state of mind is that the movement we have is a world beater and...we should not surrender in our attempt to iron out the production obstacles....the movement is too grand to let it slip away from us. I believe with Jacks line tie, we have made substantial progress as shown by the last test we made and which showed considerable advantage over our old style of screw shank line tie construction."
Obviously, the folks at Heddon had thought the problem was resolved but this line tie was very short lived. I sure wish I knew how this line tie issue was resolved.
The Zig wag was offered in a three hook or two hook configuration. I have not seen any documentation in the catalogs or boxes that differentiate between the two. The codes appear the same as does the box markings. Hopefully someone can enlighten us on this. MOST three hook models have the belly hook located farther back on the tail section than that of MOST 2 hookers. Once again, there is always an exeption. As a note, all the "intro" model taper tail models I have seen sport three hooks. Another observation regarding two vs. three hook models is that in 1928, the first year the Zig Wag was cataloged, the catalog showed an illustration with a three hook model as well as the introduction of the "Luny Frog" finished baits which shows a Zig Wag with two hooks.
Most later flap rigged baits came in three hook varieties but I have seen some of the earliest flap rigged baits (still utilizing the bar rig connector as opposed to a loop to loop) with to hooks. In a 1938/39 box catalog, it specifically mentions the Zig Wag available in a three hook model.
As stated above, when first cataloged in 1928, the description in the catalog stated "improved". Research from documents provided from the Heddon Museum suggest the "improvement" was the removal of the front hook as shown in the Heddon Dealer mailer shown below. In many ways, this makes sense but in many other ways, begs more questions than it answers. 3 hook, l rigged Zig Wags are extremely plentiful...were they ALL made prior to 1928? I have to doubt it. Many trade/retailer/jobber catalogs from 1928-1930 show specifically in the text '3 hooks" . I have not seen a three hooked L-rig luny frog (bullfrog/meadow frog/green frog) Zig Wag. I do have a later, flap rigged Zig Wag with 3 hooks in the "Luny Frog" pattern. Illustrations seen in early advertisements show the bait with two
and three hook configuration. Some trade cataloges state "3 treble hooks" or "two treble hooks". Maybe by 1930 or so. three hook models were again being produced which may explain the abundance of 3 hook, l rigged models. As stated
above, I have never seen an l rigged Zig Wag in the Luny pattern with 3 hooks. Again, it opens up many more questions than are answered.
Another difference between the l-rig style(and toilet seat) is the body connector. L-rigged and toilet seat rigged (and some flap rigged) models utilize a metal bar held with pins on either side to connect the body and head with both the head and body being mitered to house the connector. MOST flap rigged models use a metal loop to loop with the rear loop held stationary (no mitering) and the head section being mitred. Of course, there are always exceptions to this observation as well. Based on my observations I'm of the opinion that the first of the flap rigged baits utilize the bar connector with later production models sporting the metal loop. Another observation regarding the body connector is the location of the front pin which holds the connector in place. On l rigged models, the pin is located very close to the joint area, at the very end of the head section. Later toilet seat and flap rigged models have the pin located further up, closer to the front of the head section. The photo below illustrates the differing pin placement. Furthermore, a longer bar connector is utilized on the later surface rigged baits to accommodate the longer "reach" needed with the pin placed further forward as shown in the pictures below. King Zig Wags always utilized a bar connector while Zig Wag Jrs used a bar connector in their early years of production and apparently switched to the loop to loop connector probably at the same time the standard 8300 model changed.
Weights: The early taper tail models and most three hook models that I have found in l -rig do not have any belly weights. Of course there are exceptions to this as well. MOST two hook models with L rig do have a belly weight. I have never seen any documentation regarding the difference in the two hook and three hook models pertaining to weights or floating/sinking models. Its quite possible the added weight on the 2 hook model was used to compensate for the lack of weight of the third hook on the 3 hook models. Models with toilet seat and flap rig, per my observation, always have some type of belly weight, sometimes 2 as shown on the middle bait shown below. The confusing thing is the placement of the weight. Some have it in the head section, some are weighted on the tail section with location varying from the middle to the extreme rear of the tail section as seen in the pictures below. . MOST later (toilet seat/flap rig)3 hook models have the weight in the head section. Pictured below are two toilet seat rigged perch scale zig wags, one with two hooks and the other sporting three. Note the three hook model has 2 weights (one in the head section and one in the body) while the two hook model has just a single belly weight in the body section. Once again, I have found no documentation in the catalogs or boxes ever mentioning weight, nor the position of the weight on the lure. Another conundrum, hopefully someone can enlighten us more on the weight situation and why the early models were not weighted
.
The model C8300 utilized heavy duty L-rig hardware and is pictured below. All the C8300 models I have are equipped with a belly weight located in the tail section. One further observation on the C8300 is the heavy duty hardware. Most models I have seen have a large cup and extra long, heavy duty l-rig identical to the heavy duty hardware of a C8500 heavy duty Basser.. I do have one which has a smaller cup and a "flat' l-rig hanger sometimes seen on giant and/or musky baits like the vamps. I'm trying to dig up some info on this variance so any input is appreciated.
The 8340 was produced with flap rig hardware, then in surface 1 piece. The 8350 and 8360 were exclusively offered in the string rig hardware as is the S8340. The clip portion of the string rig on the string rigged models appears to have two styles. One is a straight metal flap while the other is more triangular flap. Shown below are detailed pictures showing the difference. The straight flap appears to be the earlier of the two. My observations show that on baits with the smaller glass eyes (the earliest models) the straight clip is used. On baits with the larger eyes and teddy bear eyes, both types have been observed. Painted eye models will definitely have the triangular clip as that is the later style. Model S 8340 will utilize the triangular clip.
One other oddity is the use of what some call the "stoley" line tie. This type of line, as shown in the pictures, was used on much earlier vintage vamps(vampires) produced well before the Zig Wag was produced. Was Heddon again utilizing old parts? Did the factory run out of screw eyes that day? One possibility is that they were used during the depression era to utilize old or spare hardware. Yet another unanswered question. Bill Sonnet has graciously shed some light on this line tie. According to his research, Jack Welch of Heddon is credited with introducing this line tie to the Zig Wag in an effort to provide more consistency in its "action". Obviously, it must not have proved effective since it apparently did not last long in production. Some observation I have noticed regarding this line tie is that I have only seen this on three hook, L rigged stout body style models without indented eyes and all capital letter stencil around the belly hook. Below are a few excerps of letters from the Heddon factory regarding hardware issues including details regarding this line tie.
12/21/1926 " I know it is unnecessary for me to expatiate any further on the subject of the vital necessity of our completely overcoming the defect in the zig wag which has been making us so much trouble. Of course, I gave it to you in my opinion that this must result from 1 or 2 moving parts...the link or the hooks. I am more suspicious that our trouble in the zig wag may be due to different positions the hook may assume on different casts. If the trouble is in the hooks, I assume this would be overcome by discontinueing the turning of the screw hook down so deeply into the socket, which would relieve the shank of the hook from hanging to much at right angles with the body. "
12/24/1926 " I note this letter chock full of analysis. I can with authority say that the zig wag bait is suffering from 3 distinct diseases all having the same affect ie running either to the extreme right or left. The first two are the line tie out of center and secondly the pins holding the link structure being off center throwing the two body sections out of alignment. Now thirdly, if the the frontal downward slanting plane is not exactly in the true square to the wooden body portion. Now, out of 2000 baits I have tank tested...discloses the fact that with our present gigs and tools inthe fasctory,the biggest monkey wrench we have to contend with is in getting the pins in absolute alignment. A zig wag ith pins so inserted that the two portions will not trail in perfect alignment will absolutely throw the bait out of its proper alignment. I showed conclusively that the vast majority of our present trouble was to be found in the application of our link feature. "
02/05/1927 " I cannot tell you how Jacks new line tie performs for the reason that forming dyes had to be made first before we could observe the final results. I feel hopeful that this line tie can be placed much more accurately as a production proposition than possible with the long shank screw eye. Jacks line tie is not subject to moving sideways though started at the beginning in the correct position. You know, the long screw eye, though started correctly, will be very often deflected before it has finished its travel through the wood. I am very hopeful that we have reason to believe that a considerable part of our troubles will be eliminated in this movement."
02/10/1927 "let me dwell a moment on the liquid or mobile line tie feature. Your scheme of trying out a via flexible line tie is in theory OK . I have made some experiments with a metal or wire arrangement and which does not prove of satisfactory results. The reason is it is not mobile,liquid or sensitive enough to do justice to the scheme. My present state of mind is that the movement we have is a world beater and...we should not surrender in our attempt to iron out the production obstacles....the movement is too grand to let it slip away from us. I believe with Jacks line tie, we have made substantial progress as shown by the last test we made and which showed considerable advantage over our old style of screw shank line tie construction."
Obviously, the folks at Heddon had thought the problem was resolved but this line tie was very short lived. I sure wish I knew how this line tie issue was resolved.
The Zig wag was offered in a three hook or two hook configuration. I have not seen any documentation in the catalogs or boxes that differentiate between the two. The codes appear the same as does the box markings. Hopefully someone can enlighten us on this. MOST three hook models have the belly hook located farther back on the tail section than that of MOST 2 hookers. Once again, there is always an exeption. As a note, all the "intro" model taper tail models I have seen sport three hooks. Another observation regarding two vs. three hook models is that in 1928, the first year the Zig Wag was cataloged, the catalog showed an illustration with a three hook model as well as the introduction of the "Luny Frog" finished baits which shows a Zig Wag with two hooks.
Most later flap rigged baits came in three hook varieties but I have seen some of the earliest flap rigged baits (still utilizing the bar rig connector as opposed to a loop to loop) with to hooks. In a 1938/39 box catalog, it specifically mentions the Zig Wag available in a three hook model.
As stated above, when first cataloged in 1928, the description in the catalog stated "improved". Research from documents provided from the Heddon Museum suggest the "improvement" was the removal of the front hook as shown in the Heddon Dealer mailer shown below. In many ways, this makes sense but in many other ways, begs more questions than it answers. 3 hook, l rigged Zig Wags are extremely plentiful...were they ALL made prior to 1928? I have to doubt it. Many trade/retailer/jobber catalogs from 1928-1930 show specifically in the text '3 hooks" . I have not seen a three hooked L-rig luny frog (bullfrog/meadow frog/green frog) Zig Wag. I do have a later, flap rigged Zig Wag with 3 hooks in the "Luny Frog" pattern. Illustrations seen in early advertisements show the bait with two
and three hook configuration. Some trade cataloges state "3 treble hooks" or "two treble hooks". Maybe by 1930 or so. three hook models were again being produced which may explain the abundance of 3 hook, l rigged models. As stated
above, I have never seen an l rigged Zig Wag in the Luny pattern with 3 hooks. Again, it opens up many more questions than are answered.
Another difference between the l-rig style(and toilet seat) is the body connector. L-rigged and toilet seat rigged (and some flap rigged) models utilize a metal bar held with pins on either side to connect the body and head with both the head and body being mitered to house the connector. MOST flap rigged models use a metal loop to loop with the rear loop held stationary (no mitering) and the head section being mitred. Of course, there are always exceptions to this observation as well. Based on my observations I'm of the opinion that the first of the flap rigged baits utilize the bar connector with later production models sporting the metal loop. Another observation regarding the body connector is the location of the front pin which holds the connector in place. On l rigged models, the pin is located very close to the joint area, at the very end of the head section. Later toilet seat and flap rigged models have the pin located further up, closer to the front of the head section. The photo below illustrates the differing pin placement. Furthermore, a longer bar connector is utilized on the later surface rigged baits to accommodate the longer "reach" needed with the pin placed further forward as shown in the pictures below. King Zig Wags always utilized a bar connector while Zig Wag Jrs used a bar connector in their early years of production and apparently switched to the loop to loop connector probably at the same time the standard 8300 model changed.
Weights: The early taper tail models and most three hook models that I have found in l -rig do not have any belly weights. Of course there are exceptions to this as well. MOST two hook models with L rig do have a belly weight. I have never seen any documentation regarding the difference in the two hook and three hook models pertaining to weights or floating/sinking models. Its quite possible the added weight on the 2 hook model was used to compensate for the lack of weight of the third hook on the 3 hook models. Models with toilet seat and flap rig, per my observation, always have some type of belly weight, sometimes 2 as shown on the middle bait shown below. The confusing thing is the placement of the weight. Some have it in the head section, some are weighted on the tail section with location varying from the middle to the extreme rear of the tail section as seen in the pictures below. . MOST later (toilet seat/flap rig)3 hook models have the weight in the head section. Pictured below are two toilet seat rigged perch scale zig wags, one with two hooks and the other sporting three. Note the three hook model has 2 weights (one in the head section and one in the body) while the two hook model has just a single belly weight in the body section. Once again, I have found no documentation in the catalogs or boxes ever mentioning weight, nor the position of the weight on the lure. Another conundrum, hopefully someone can enlighten us more on the weight situation and why the early models were not weighted
.
The model C8300 utilized heavy duty L-rig hardware and is pictured below. All the C8300 models I have are equipped with a belly weight located in the tail section. One further observation on the C8300 is the heavy duty hardware. Most models I have seen have a large cup and extra long, heavy duty l-rig identical to the heavy duty hardware of a C8500 heavy duty Basser.. I do have one which has a smaller cup and a "flat' l-rig hanger sometimes seen on giant and/or musky baits like the vamps. I'm trying to dig up some info on this variance so any input is appreciated.
The 8340 was produced with flap rig hardware, then in surface 1 piece. The 8350 and 8360 were exclusively offered in the string rig hardware as is the S8340. The clip portion of the string rig on the string rigged models appears to have two styles. One is a straight metal flap while the other is more triangular flap. Shown below are detailed pictures showing the difference. The straight flap appears to be the earlier of the two. My observations show that on baits with the smaller glass eyes (the earliest models) the straight clip is used. On baits with the larger eyes and teddy bear eyes, both types have been observed. Painted eye models will definitely have the triangular clip as that is the later style. Model S 8340 will utilize the triangular clip.
Color Patterns
Color patterns on Zig Wags followed Heddon's progression with some patterns showing variations over the years of production and some staying basically the same. While the specific color variances are to broad to explain here, I will direct the visitor to visit the Heddon Color Info page above which details Heddon's color variations as described by Ed Knight from his "Old Lures Rocks" website. Additionally, Lurelore.com offers pages of details regarding the myriad of colors Heddon offered as well as their specific color code. As stated above, by 1930 all the cataloged colors for the 8300 except "BF" had a "RH" designation indicating a Red Head which explains the abundance of Zig Wags with red heads. While not overly rare, the models without red heads (solid colors/pattern on the head and tail section) are a bit tougher to find yet in most of the standard colors are by no means rare. Also of note, my observations show MOST of the two hook models with a red head have black eye shadow on the red head and MOST 3 hook models with a red head DO NOT have black around the eyes. As always, there are exceptions but again, no explanation can be found in the catalogs or boxes. Hopefully, someone can further enlighten us as to this trend.
I have found a few Zig Wags with exceptionally dark red heads. These tend to be transition /depression era baits.
Another nuance I have observed is the scale pattern in the "joint " area. It is particularly noticeable in the red head/white body color. Some baits have a red scale pattern in the joint area while others are just solid color. This variance seems to appear in L-rigged baits as all flap and toilet seat rigged baits I have seen( at least in Red Head/White) do have the scale pattern. I have seen this variance in both two and three hook models so that discounts the possibility of the scale pattern differentiating hook rigging. In speaking with Gamefisher collector Chris Howell, he has noticed the same variations with his Gamefishers (another similar jointed Heddon bait of the period) and, like me, can't seem to figure out any reasoning for the scale pattern, or lack of in the joint area.
According to catalog information, Zig Wag patterns offered during the flap rig era were limited mainly to colors with red heads(except Bullfrog and Shiner scale) ie pike scale/RH, green scale RH thus explaining the commonality of these models. Flap rigged models without the red head ie all perch scale, all pike scale, all green scale are considered non cataloged patterns are are pretty tough to come by.
I have many Zig Wags which have excess paint/varnish on the lip, almost like a drip that has dried. Its my opinion that Heddon must have hung the head section with the lip facing down which caused many baits to have this drip/excess paint and/or varnish. I don't know how they did it but it makes sense since hanging the bait lip up to dry would cause the excess paint/varnish to run into the joint miter.Many times, this drip spot would be the first area of paint to fail.chip/fall off explaining why many baits seem to have paint damage on the lip in the same general area. Lastly, I have talked to many collectors who have thought a bait to be repainted or overvarnished due to this. Personally, in many cases I have found this to be a decent indicator of authenticity, especially on all white and white with glitter finishes. Shown below are a few pics of this drip area on the lip looks like,
A note on scarcity
First, most cataloged colors are considered relatively easy to find. I base most of my ratings of scarcity on observations from ebay, going to shows, flea markets, antique stores, personal contacts with other collectors as well as other old fishing lure web based outlets and auctions. I consider a bait very tough if I see one come up for sale about once every few years. An extremely tough bait may come up once every 5 to 10 years. a relatively tough bait, once a year or so. I find many collectors claiming "only a few known to exist" or '"only one known" or the extremely overused term "unique". Personally, I don't use these terms since how can anyone really know how many are out there and by definition, unique means "one of a kind". I'm quite sure Heddon did not just make 1 particular bait in a given pattern so if there is one, there has to be more. Just because someone does not often see an item does not make it "rare". For detailed images and detail of the many different colors of the Zig Wag as well as rarity, press the link below
I have found a few Zig Wags with exceptionally dark red heads. These tend to be transition /depression era baits.
Another nuance I have observed is the scale pattern in the "joint " area. It is particularly noticeable in the red head/white body color. Some baits have a red scale pattern in the joint area while others are just solid color. This variance seems to appear in L-rigged baits as all flap and toilet seat rigged baits I have seen( at least in Red Head/White) do have the scale pattern. I have seen this variance in both two and three hook models so that discounts the possibility of the scale pattern differentiating hook rigging. In speaking with Gamefisher collector Chris Howell, he has noticed the same variations with his Gamefishers (another similar jointed Heddon bait of the period) and, like me, can't seem to figure out any reasoning for the scale pattern, or lack of in the joint area.
According to catalog information, Zig Wag patterns offered during the flap rig era were limited mainly to colors with red heads(except Bullfrog and Shiner scale) ie pike scale/RH, green scale RH thus explaining the commonality of these models. Flap rigged models without the red head ie all perch scale, all pike scale, all green scale are considered non cataloged patterns are are pretty tough to come by.
I have many Zig Wags which have excess paint/varnish on the lip, almost like a drip that has dried. Its my opinion that Heddon must have hung the head section with the lip facing down which caused many baits to have this drip/excess paint and/or varnish. I don't know how they did it but it makes sense since hanging the bait lip up to dry would cause the excess paint/varnish to run into the joint miter.Many times, this drip spot would be the first area of paint to fail.chip/fall off explaining why many baits seem to have paint damage on the lip in the same general area. Lastly, I have talked to many collectors who have thought a bait to be repainted or overvarnished due to this. Personally, in many cases I have found this to be a decent indicator of authenticity, especially on all white and white with glitter finishes. Shown below are a few pics of this drip area on the lip looks like,
A note on scarcity
First, most cataloged colors are considered relatively easy to find. I base most of my ratings of scarcity on observations from ebay, going to shows, flea markets, antique stores, personal contacts with other collectors as well as other old fishing lure web based outlets and auctions. I consider a bait very tough if I see one come up for sale about once every few years. An extremely tough bait may come up once every 5 to 10 years. a relatively tough bait, once a year or so. I find many collectors claiming "only a few known to exist" or '"only one known" or the extremely overused term "unique". Personally, I don't use these terms since how can anyone really know how many are out there and by definition, unique means "one of a kind". I'm quite sure Heddon did not just make 1 particular bait in a given pattern so if there is one, there has to be more. Just because someone does not often see an item does not make it "rare". For detailed images and detail of the many different colors of the Zig Wag as well as rarity, press the link below
Zig Wags and the Luny Frog pattern
As shown in the 1928 catalog to the left, the Zig Wag was offered in the "new" frog patterns affectionately called Luny Frog by collectors. As shown in the intro catalog page, the color code for the luny frog pattern was 9B green frog. For many years prior, the standard frog pattern (green with black/yellow dots) aka frogspot, was offered as color code 9B. By the next year, the code was changed to 9BF aka bullfrog. By 1932, only a handful of baits were offered in the 9BF code including Zig Wags,Vamps and Weedless Widows while other baits were being offered in code 9B, frog spot. The Luny Frog bait was also offered in a similar pattern called Meadow Frog. I have not seen a Zig Wag in the color code 9BB. By 1934 or so, the Zig Wag and Weedless Widow were still being offered in Bullfrog yet there is no illustration of this pattern on the color charts in the catalogs...just code 9B frog (see image below). The Darting Zara was also offeerd in BF yet is a totally different pattern not anything like the Luny configuration. By 1940, the Bullfrog pattern was not cataloged for the Zig Wag. With this said, the Zig Wag was never catalogued in the code 9B, frog (except in 1928 when the luny pattern was used as code 9B) thus a frog spot Zig Wag, as shown below, would be considered a non cataloged pattern and indeed is pretty tough to find. In this section, I'll give my observations on the color code 9B and 9BF as it relates to the Zig Wag. As stated above, the code for the Luny pattern in 1928 was 9B while starting in 1929, the Luny Pattern was 9BF. Code 9BF was a cataloged pattern for Zig Wags until 1940. Code 9B, frog spot, was not a cataloged pattern for the Zig Wag (except in 1928 when it was used for the Luny pattern). Zig Wags with L rig hardware and the Luny Frog pattern are relatively common. In my observation, although a cataloged pattern, Zig Wags with flap or toilet seat rigging are much tougher to find in this color. Furthermore, all the l rigged luny frog patterned Zig Wags I have seen are of the two hook variety. Most of the surface rigged luny frog Zig Wags I see are three hook models with a two hook variation being even tougher to find in surface rigging.
Frog spot(code 9B) is not a cataloged pattern and is considered very tough to find. Also, all the frogspot Zig Wags I have seen have been in L rig. Thats not to say that surface rigged Zig Wags in frogspot don't exist but I've never encountered one. Recently, I have encountered a few red head/luny frog patterned Zig Wags 9BFRH. These , in my opinion, are somewhat harder to find. I have noticed some variations in color on the Luny Frog colored baits with some being a bright green and some having a more olive green color. This may be due to fading/aging over time and is illustrated in the photos below. As stated above, surface rigged baits are fairly tough to find. Below are a few pics of Zig Wags in color code 9BF with surface(flap) rig. As shown in the photos below, the surfaced rigged bait with the "bar" connector and smaller body size is obviously an earlier surface rigged model while the other bait (from the collection of Mike Berendt) sports the "loop to loop" connection thus dating it to the late 30's. Lastly, the latest version of the Bullfrog pattern is shown below. This pattern is reportedly from about 1939-1942 and sports the same pattern with totally different colors. This later BF is a very tough Zig Wag to find.
After doing a little research on box inserts/catalogs, a little info has come to light, well maybe just a little more grey area. As shown below in a 1929 copyrighted box insert, the Zig Wag was offered in code 9B (frog) and in code 9BF (bullfrog). Apparently, in 1929, Zig Wags were offered in frog (frog spot) AND Bullfrog (luny frog), at least according to one box insert.
Frog spot(code 9B) is not a cataloged pattern and is considered very tough to find. Also, all the frogspot Zig Wags I have seen have been in L rig. Thats not to say that surface rigged Zig Wags in frogspot don't exist but I've never encountered one. Recently, I have encountered a few red head/luny frog patterned Zig Wags 9BFRH. These , in my opinion, are somewhat harder to find. I have noticed some variations in color on the Luny Frog colored baits with some being a bright green and some having a more olive green color. This may be due to fading/aging over time and is illustrated in the photos below. As stated above, surface rigged baits are fairly tough to find. Below are a few pics of Zig Wags in color code 9BF with surface(flap) rig. As shown in the photos below, the surfaced rigged bait with the "bar" connector and smaller body size is obviously an earlier surface rigged model while the other bait (from the collection of Mike Berendt) sports the "loop to loop" connection thus dating it to the late 30's. Lastly, the latest version of the Bullfrog pattern is shown below. This pattern is reportedly from about 1939-1942 and sports the same pattern with totally different colors. This later BF is a very tough Zig Wag to find.
After doing a little research on box inserts/catalogs, a little info has come to light, well maybe just a little more grey area. As shown below in a 1929 copyrighted box insert, the Zig Wag was offered in code 9B (frog) and in code 9BF (bullfrog). Apparently, in 1929, Zig Wags were offered in frog (frog spot) AND Bullfrog (luny frog), at least according to one box insert.
A note on Cataloged vs. Non Cataloged colors
A small sidenote on "cataloged" colors/patterns. Most will agree that whatever was listed in the Heddon catalogs were the official "cataloged" colors yet as seen on the boxes, baits were available in any of the listed patterns. Furthermore, many wholesalers/jobbers and retailers would offer patterns not listed as cataloged patterns in the Heddon catalogs. These wholesalers, such as Union Hardware, VLA, and Mcgregor Hardware to name a few, would sell direct to the public as well as acting as a middleman to tackle shops, drug stores and small retailers. As shown below in the 1928 Mcgregor Hardware catalog, the color all red was available. This pattern was never a listed color in any Heddon catalog for the Zig Wag. So, was this a cataloged or uncatalogued pattern?...I guess it depends on how you look at it. Either way, all red is a really scarce bait and one would think there would be more around since it was offered as a standard color from a large wholesaler. Some wholesalers, as seen below, only offered one pattern, usually red head/white (no wonder why there are so many of these around). Most wholesalers offered a small number of patterns, say 3 or 4 with typical offerings similar to what Heddon was offering in their own catalogs at the time. Another observation is shown below in a 1928 Hunting and Fishing full page Heddon ad introducing the Luny Frog patterns as well as the Zig Wag. In the text for the Zig Wag (as well as the text for the vamps), it states "available in all standard colors" which further muddles the waters as far as cataloged versus non cataloged. Another observation surfaces from Zig Wag boxes which utilized the Zig Wag end label. These boxes, as described in the next section, have a label stating the standard "stocked" colors in which code 8301 (rainbow) is listed. I have not seen the rainbow pattern listed as a cataloged color for the Zig Wag in any Heddon catalogs or box inserts. Is rainbow therefor a cataloged or uncataloged pattern? In another example shown below from a 1936 Schwabacher Hardware catalog, the patterns Luminous, Luminous/Red head and Tail as well as Perch Scale are listed. These patterns were never offered in a Heddon catalog. These three patterns, by the way, are also pretty tough to find, especially the Lum and Lum RHT.
To view more advertisements as well as the above ads in greater detail/resolution, click the link below.
Boxes and Advertisements
Boxes for Zig Wags also follow Heddon progressions throughout the production life. A more detailed description of the progression for Heddon boxes for the Zig-Wag is detailed in the subsequent section. The first models were in the down leaping bass box, followed by the upleaping bass box and finally the brush box. Later model 8350 and 60s came in the Heddon Banner Box as did the surface rigged, painted eye 8340 Zig Wag Jr. Of note is the interior of some of the down bass boxes which had a Zig Wag slogan on the inside of the box top as well as hang tag attached to the lure. I have not seen many of the intro model Zig Wags (with the elongated taper tail and decal) in the box. The few I have seen did not have the script on the bottom of the box and did not contain a hang tag. This makes sense as the intro models were probably produced before they were cataloged in 1928 (evidenced by the "patent applied for" statement on the decal) thus no hangtags or advertising script on the in the box were yet available. The second photo below shows a great early intro combo in the correct box...note no script on the inside nor a hangtag. Thanks to Elissa Ruddick for providing the photo of this screamer. Heddon also utilized an end label on some boxes. These end labels appear to mention the Zig Wag by name giving the standard colors offered. As shown below, both bass up and bass down boxes can be found with the paper end label. I have yet to find a brush box with the end label. It is my belief that the boxes with the end labels were probably from the early 1930s when Heddon was transitioning between boxes and was utilizing old box stock. These end label boxes are uncommon. A warm thanks to Charlie Robinson for sharing a photo of a down bass box with an end label. This down bass box is the first I have seen with an end label. Paper inserts located on the bottom of the box stating the available colors have also been observed. String rigged models often came with paper box inserts stating the "new" salmon, striper and steelhead baits. I have found some of the 8350's in bass up style boxes. I have also found some flaprigged zig wags in the up bass boxes. The consensus is that Heddon was using up old box stock. Be cautious when attempting to date of the flap and toilet seat rigged baits found in the up bass boxes using the field and stream date method as these boxes are not representative of the bait's true age due to the fact that the hook rigging post dates the box date. Below are a few pictures of the various box styles. Many believe the boxes with the wording on the interior and hangtags are "intro" boxes.
Most boxes I have seen do not indicate the number of hooks but I have recently acquired a brush box marked "2H" which would indicate a 2 hook model. I have seen many boxes but this is the only one I've seen with the "2H" marking. I'm
sure there are plenty out there but they are definitely not the norm. In 2012, I found a three hook model 8309P in a correctly marked box with a 3H marking. Its a first for me and is pictured below.
Pictured below is a paper dealer advertisement showing the newly introduced Zig Wag. It is approximately 7" tall and 9" wide. I have been told that these were sent to dealers for advertisement. and not utilized as box inserts. After viewing various dealer supplements as well as multiple trade catalogs, I'm convinced these paper ads were indeed used as inserts in dealer six packs. Many images are provided below showing this. The text clearly states that the patents have not been granted plus the field and stream data showing 16 years since the F&S contest. Using this information, this ad should date to early 1928 since the patent was granted in Nov. 1928. The graphics of this ad are just about identicle to the graphics used on the sticker/label of the early, pre patent Zig Wags.I have seen another slight variation of this ad with different text in the upper left section yet the rest of the ad is identical and is pictured below. (A big thanks to Terry Venables for sharing this pic of a rare peice of Heddon paper) I have not seen too many of these and consider it a pretty rare piece. Any additional info on these early advertisement pieces is surely welcomed. Recetly, I have acquired a page from a 1928 hardware store catalog featuring the Zig Wag as well as a special "six pack" showing a similar paper to that pictured below. Although the text is slightly different,, I'm reasonably sure this paperwork was used for these six pack boxes. An image of the page is located below. Also pictured below is a page from a 1932 dealer supplement showing the exact paper insert which I have. Per the Heddon Museum, the paper insert with the text "The Livest Bait Ever" is from approximately 1927/1928 while the insert pictured below with the text "Here it is" is from 1928 and ran until at least 1932 as shown in the 1932 dealer supplement.
Most boxes I have seen do not indicate the number of hooks but I have recently acquired a brush box marked "2H" which would indicate a 2 hook model. I have seen many boxes but this is the only one I've seen with the "2H" marking. I'm
sure there are plenty out there but they are definitely not the norm. In 2012, I found a three hook model 8309P in a correctly marked box with a 3H marking. Its a first for me and is pictured below.
Pictured below is a paper dealer advertisement showing the newly introduced Zig Wag. It is approximately 7" tall and 9" wide. I have been told that these were sent to dealers for advertisement. and not utilized as box inserts. After viewing various dealer supplements as well as multiple trade catalogs, I'm convinced these paper ads were indeed used as inserts in dealer six packs. Many images are provided below showing this. The text clearly states that the patents have not been granted plus the field and stream data showing 16 years since the F&S contest. Using this information, this ad should date to early 1928 since the patent was granted in Nov. 1928. The graphics of this ad are just about identicle to the graphics used on the sticker/label of the early, pre patent Zig Wags.I have seen another slight variation of this ad with different text in the upper left section yet the rest of the ad is identical and is pictured below. (A big thanks to Terry Venables for sharing this pic of a rare peice of Heddon paper) I have not seen too many of these and consider it a pretty rare piece. Any additional info on these early advertisement pieces is surely welcomed. Recetly, I have acquired a page from a 1928 hardware store catalog featuring the Zig Wag as well as a special "six pack" showing a similar paper to that pictured below. Although the text is slightly different,, I'm reasonably sure this paperwork was used for these six pack boxes. An image of the page is located below. Also pictured below is a page from a 1932 dealer supplement showing the exact paper insert which I have. Per the Heddon Museum, the paper insert with the text "The Livest Bait Ever" is from approximately 1927/1928 while the insert pictured below with the text "Here it is" is from 1928 and ran until at least 1932 as shown in the 1932 dealer supplement.
Here is a link to a PDF file showing an assortment of Zig Wag advertising and trade catalog offerings
Heddon Zig-Wag Box Progression
In this section, I will show the progression for the boxes used for the Zig-Wag along with approximate years used as well as what type of hardware utilized would correspond to the style of box. Again, most of this info is gained from observation as well as research from other collectors and reference books. Dates are approximated since often times, the factory would use whatever boxes they had available at the time. With that said, boxes in general are not a specific reference as to dating a bait yet does give a relatively good time frame of when the bait was produced. The pictures below should give a decent illustration of the box variations during the production time of all the Zig-Wag models. (approx. 1926/27 to 1952)
The first models, with the long,tapered tail and decal would have came in what is called the down leaping box in approximately 1926/27. This box was used for many baits since introduced in approximately 1920. The specific down leaping bass box for the first Zig Wags would be the last style of the down leaping box as shown in the pics below. After the bait was patented/cataloged in 1928, the downleaping box featured an advertisement printed on the interior of the box bottom. Baits found in these boxes have L rig hardware and have either stencil or decals yet are not the long tapered tail version. Hang tags were used in conjunction with these boxes with the text on the box interior bottom.This box lasted only a few years until the up bass box was first introduced...probably by 1929/1930 all Zig Wags were put into up bass boxes. The first up bass box would have no writing underneath the fish's tail. These boxes typically had end labels and some sort of color chart on or in the box bottom and the Field and stream date of "16 years". The next up bass box would have red writing underneath the tail, a color chart listed on the side, a F&S date of 16 years, no end labels and the company address on one line of text. The two up bass boxes listed above would typically have corresponding baits with l rig hardware. The last up leaping box has a Field and Stream date of 20 years and the company address uses two lines of text. Baits with this box are typically Lrig or toilet seat rigged. On a note, for the model C8300 (Zig Wags with heavy duty l rig) I have only seen this later up bass box used. The Brush box is next dating from approximately 1934 to 1942. Brush boxes were pretty much exclusive to flap rigged baits and glass eyed King Zig Wags (models 8360 and 8350) as well as model 8340 (JRs and string rigged Jrs). On later brush box ends, the shore minnow pattern was displayed and is shown in the pictures below. After the war, the banner box was used. King Zig Wags, specifically the model 8350 with teddy bear eyes as well as painted eye 8350s and surface rigged, painted eye 8340 Zig Wag JRs would utilize the banner box.
Model 8300s and model 8340s came in a small 4.5" box while the 8350 and 8360 came in larger 5.5" and 6.75" boxes respectively. From time to time, an oddball box shows up. Below are a few examples. First is a 5.75" early up bass box marked for a 8300 in shiner scale red head. Its the first large box marked for a standard sized Zig Wag I have seen. Another is a 5.75" up bass box marked for a model 8350. It is marked as such but is also stamped Zig Wag...not King Zig Wag. Its either a very early model King Zig or the factory was using up old stock. I tend to believe the latter explanation but one never knows. It was not uncommon for the factory to use up older boxes or possibly if the factory ran out that day to utilize whatever they had in stock so its not too surprising to see these variations/oddities. Below are some pics showing the different boxes utilized for the Zig-Wag. Click on the photo for additional commentary.
The first models, with the long,tapered tail and decal would have came in what is called the down leaping box in approximately 1926/27. This box was used for many baits since introduced in approximately 1920. The specific down leaping bass box for the first Zig Wags would be the last style of the down leaping box as shown in the pics below. After the bait was patented/cataloged in 1928, the downleaping box featured an advertisement printed on the interior of the box bottom. Baits found in these boxes have L rig hardware and have either stencil or decals yet are not the long tapered tail version. Hang tags were used in conjunction with these boxes with the text on the box interior bottom.This box lasted only a few years until the up bass box was first introduced...probably by 1929/1930 all Zig Wags were put into up bass boxes. The first up bass box would have no writing underneath the fish's tail. These boxes typically had end labels and some sort of color chart on or in the box bottom and the Field and stream date of "16 years". The next up bass box would have red writing underneath the tail, a color chart listed on the side, a F&S date of 16 years, no end labels and the company address on one line of text. The two up bass boxes listed above would typically have corresponding baits with l rig hardware. The last up leaping box has a Field and Stream date of 20 years and the company address uses two lines of text. Baits with this box are typically Lrig or toilet seat rigged. On a note, for the model C8300 (Zig Wags with heavy duty l rig) I have only seen this later up bass box used. The Brush box is next dating from approximately 1934 to 1942. Brush boxes were pretty much exclusive to flap rigged baits and glass eyed King Zig Wags (models 8360 and 8350) as well as model 8340 (JRs and string rigged Jrs). On later brush box ends, the shore minnow pattern was displayed and is shown in the pictures below. After the war, the banner box was used. King Zig Wags, specifically the model 8350 with teddy bear eyes as well as painted eye 8350s and surface rigged, painted eye 8340 Zig Wag JRs would utilize the banner box.
Model 8300s and model 8340s came in a small 4.5" box while the 8350 and 8360 came in larger 5.5" and 6.75" boxes respectively. From time to time, an oddball box shows up. Below are a few examples. First is a 5.75" early up bass box marked for a 8300 in shiner scale red head. Its the first large box marked for a standard sized Zig Wag I have seen. Another is a 5.75" up bass box marked for a model 8350. It is marked as such but is also stamped Zig Wag...not King Zig Wag. Its either a very early model King Zig or the factory was using up old stock. I tend to believe the latter explanation but one never knows. It was not uncommon for the factory to use up older boxes or possibly if the factory ran out that day to utilize whatever they had in stock so its not too surprising to see these variations/oddities. Below are some pics showing the different boxes utilized for the Zig-Wag. Click on the photo for additional commentary.
Heddon Box Catalogs/Inserts
Here are a few observations I have made utilizing the few box inserts/catalogs that I own. Strangely, at least for the Zig Wag, the box catalogs tend to pose many questions when the info is compared to the larger catalogs of the same periods. While most collectors go by what is in the big, booklike trade catalogs, the small box inserts do offer additional information yet many times just raise more questions. Here are a few oddities/inconsistencies/grey areas regarding specifically the Zig Wag and its descriptions in the box catalogs. In the 1929 catalog, it has the codes 9B and 9BF offered yet the catalog does not mention code 9B. (reference the Luny Frog paragraphs above). Also, the 1929 insert specifically states "2 treble hooks". This is some of the first text specifically mentioning two hooks in a catalog format. The 1933 catalog also states "2 Treble Hooks" yet the code 9B frog is not offered (code 9bf is). As shown in the trade/retailer catalog section, these baits seemed to be made in 3 and 2 hook variations throughout its production span with no apparent rhyme or reason. Furthermore, there are lots of examples from all hardware type eras of both 3 and 2 hook models so I can't definitely say that 2 hook models are of a certain date and 3 hook models are of a specific age. Some of the later catalogs show inconsistencies as well. the two later box catalogs from 1938 and 1939 respectively show the Zig Wag JR cataloged in Shiner Scale pattern 9P. According to the large catalog, Code 9P was only offered in 1937. Furthermore, why are Zig Wag Jrs in all shiner scale so tough to find while shiner scale/red head are common as dirt? Also listed in the box inserts is the mention of the "larger 3 hook model" referring to the 8300 series. Can one make the assumption that all later Zig Wags (1939-1942) would be 3 hook models? I have plenty of later, flap rigged models with 2 hooks. Well, so much for definitive research regarding box catalogs but at least we found a few more tidbits of info, useful or not.
Summary
Using the above information, one can attempt to put a relatively accurate range of dates as to when each style of 8300 Zig Wag was produced. Based mostly on body style, hardware and markings, here is my best attempt at doing so. The photos below, starting on the top left, are examples of the chronological order of the 8300 series.
Taper tail, Indented eye, L-Rig, decal on bottom : 1926-27
Regular (not tapered) tail, indented eye, L-rig decal 1926-1927
Regular tail, indented eye, L-rig stencil around belly hook (lower case letters used on stencil) 1927-1928 (or earlier)
Regular tail, indented eye, L-rig stencil around belly hook (upper case letters used on stencil) 1927-1928 (or earlier)
Regular tail, no eye indentation, L-rig elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook 1928-1933
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Toilet seat rig, elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook 1933-1935
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Flap Rig elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook, bar connector 1935-1937
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Flap Rig elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook, loop to loop body connector1938-1941
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Flap Rig Stencil located beneath/under the belly hardware loop to loop connector 1942-43
"Stoley Rig" line tie: I've only seen this in l-rigged baits yet have no definite conclusion as to when it was specifically used 1928-1934
Once again, this info is just an educated guess based on observation, talking to other researchers/collectors and catalog info.
Taper tail, Indented eye, L-Rig, decal on bottom : 1926-27
Regular (not tapered) tail, indented eye, L-rig decal 1926-1927
Regular tail, indented eye, L-rig stencil around belly hook (lower case letters used on stencil) 1927-1928 (or earlier)
Regular tail, indented eye, L-rig stencil around belly hook (upper case letters used on stencil) 1927-1928 (or earlier)
Regular tail, no eye indentation, L-rig elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook 1928-1933
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Toilet seat rig, elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook 1933-1935
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Flap Rig elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook, bar connector 1935-1937
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Flap Rig elongated stencil or stencil around belly hook, loop to loop body connector1938-1941
Regular tail, no eye indentation, Flap Rig Stencil located beneath/under the belly hardware loop to loop connector 1942-43
"Stoley Rig" line tie: I've only seen this in l-rigged baits yet have no definite conclusion as to when it was specifically used 1928-1934
Once again, this info is just an educated guess based on observation, talking to other researchers/collectors and catalog info.
Prototype/Experimental Baits
According to some, this no eyed version is a patent/prototype in which a few have been found. I use the term "prototype" with caution since I have no proof of this being a true prototype and am basing it on info gained from other collectors. Throughout the hobby, the classification of prototypes is a very grey area with in many cases, the term being misused. Whatever the case, this bait, as well as the few others found, sports screw eye/cup hardware and no eyes which were not seen in any catalogs. I have recently added a no eye bait with two hooks and l rig hardware and is pictured below. Below is a copy of the patent for the Zig Wag showing it without eyes. The one I have has cup/screw hook rigging with a straight screw eye tail hanger while the patent shows L-rig. Could this be a bait made by Heddon for Abby & Imbrie similar to Lucky 13s and Bassers produced with no eyes? Another possibility is that it is a transition bait with the factory using up old parts and "making do" with what they had, similar to flap rigged lucky 13s without glass eyes produced in the mid thirties. Recently, Terry Venables from Canada provided a picture of a prototype plastic King Zig Wag Spook. The picture is shown below with the bait supposedly coming from the Heddon Factory. A big thanks to Terry for sharing a pic of this great, rare piece.
The bait shown below with the metal fin installed in the chin appears to be a Heddon experimental bait. As evidenced in the photo of the original Heddon Factory Board (kindly provided by the Heddon Museum) this bait is clearly shown in the upper left section. Also of note, this image clearly shows the infamous, authentic Heddon Frogs. A huge thanks is warranted for the Heddon Museum for letting me post this image and authenticate the Zig Wag experimental bait pictured below. Another interesting observation on this bait as well as a similar, two hook, no eyed l rig model I recently acquired is the presence of an additional screw holed drilled near the belly hook hangers on both baits. Its probable the folks at Heddon were experimenting with different hardware locations/rigging.
The bait pictured at the bottom portion of the gallery is an interesting lure long thought to be a Zig Wag experimental. Note the face/lip on this bait, it is very different from that of a Zig Wag in that it has a curved cut and longer lip, identical to early lucky 13s as shown in the pictures. The bait has l rig hardware with the same connector as a zig wag. I have been informed by a few extremely knowledgable collectors that this bait is a jointed lucky 13 and that an exact bait has been found in the box marked 2602. Looking at catalogs, Heddon never cataloged a model 2600 yet the Lucky 13 has a model number of 2500 so it does make some sense. Whatever it is, its a rare bait and even though its not a Zig Wag, I just had to have it for its similarities.
The bait shown below with the metal fin installed in the chin appears to be a Heddon experimental bait. As evidenced in the photo of the original Heddon Factory Board (kindly provided by the Heddon Museum) this bait is clearly shown in the upper left section. Also of note, this image clearly shows the infamous, authentic Heddon Frogs. A huge thanks is warranted for the Heddon Museum for letting me post this image and authenticate the Zig Wag experimental bait pictured below. Another interesting observation on this bait as well as a similar, two hook, no eyed l rig model I recently acquired is the presence of an additional screw holed drilled near the belly hook hangers on both baits. Its probable the folks at Heddon were experimenting with different hardware locations/rigging.
The bait pictured at the bottom portion of the gallery is an interesting lure long thought to be a Zig Wag experimental. Note the face/lip on this bait, it is very different from that of a Zig Wag in that it has a curved cut and longer lip, identical to early lucky 13s as shown in the pictures. The bait has l rig hardware with the same connector as a zig wag. I have been informed by a few extremely knowledgable collectors that this bait is a jointed lucky 13 and that an exact bait has been found in the box marked 2602. Looking at catalogs, Heddon never cataloged a model 2600 yet the Lucky 13 has a model number of 2500 so it does make some sense. Whatever it is, its a rare bait and even though its not a Zig Wag, I just had to have it for its similarities.
Drill Jig
Here is a neat item I recently acquired. It is a drill jig for later model, surface rigged rear section for Zig Wags.
Here is a neat item I recently acquired. It is a drill jig for later model, surface rigged rear section for Zig Wags.
The Truck
The attached image is of Charles Heddon and a Florida sporting goods retailer in front of the fabled Zig Wag truck, a twenties era panel van. The truck is a 1926 Dodge. Thanks to the great folks at the Heddon Musuem, I was provided text from the back of the original picture as well as the story regarding this picture. This picture was taken in Florida in 1926. The fish pictured were sea trout. According to the story, the truck was driven down to Florida in 1926 to promote the Zig Wag. The trip was 1300 miles one way and took 13 days to complete. The text on the back of the original picture was written by Mr. King salesman in Florida and states "11-12-1926 at Sarasota Florida 28saltwater trout caught by Carl (?) Johnson and myself & am sending this to two of my dear friends Harry & George & wish you two could have had some of these fine fish to eat. we gave them away". Below is a copy of the text. Pictured below are a few pics of a reproduction of the truck which resides in the Heddon Museum in Dowagiac, Michigan. Thanks to Tom Penniston for identifying the as a 1928 Dodge Brothers Panel
Truck. Lastly, a toy model of the Zig-Wag truck was produced by Ertyl and is pictured below...a must have for Zig-Wag collectors.
Truck. Lastly, a toy model of the Zig-Wag truck was produced by Ertyl and is pictured below...a must have for Zig-Wag collectors.
In closing, I would like to thank the many people over the years who have helped me with my collection and more importantly, passed on their knowledge for the good of the hobby. Hopefully, this website has served you well and provided some insight although with all the nuances, may have produced more questions than answers. Hopefully, more collectors/researchers will add additional information and insight to further the documentation of this bait. If anyone wishes to share their photos of Zig Wags. i would be honored to put them on this website for everyone's viewing pleasure.
I strongly suggest any one with any interest in fishing or history visit the Heddon Museum in Dowagiac, Michigan. Not only is it a wonderful display of great Heddon items, the proprietors, Joan and Don Lyons are great host with truly unequalled passion. For more info, visit http://www.heddonmuseum.org/
In addition to the few websites mentioned, a few more great resources on the Web are http://Joesoldlures.com, a great forum for info with lots of great people willing to share info and the NFLCC website nflcc.org which has a tremendous resource database of catalogs as well as a message board. Another fantastic resource is http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com which is packed with great articles and info about all facets of fishing history. A few other great lure sites packed with information include http://Lorelore.com and http://lurelady.com. For those looking for some great info on Canadian baits, check out Patrick Daradicks website http://www.ontariolures.com. Last but certainly not least, a big thanks to John and Debbie Ganung of Lang's Auction for granting permission to utilize pictures of their auction items as examples of some great, extremely rare Zig Wags.
Lastly, a shameless plug; I'm always looking to buy or trade for Zig Wags for my collection. Please don't hesitate to email me any questions, suggestions, additional info or baits you have for sale or trade at [email protected].
I strongly suggest any one with any interest in fishing or history visit the Heddon Museum in Dowagiac, Michigan. Not only is it a wonderful display of great Heddon items, the proprietors, Joan and Don Lyons are great host with truly unequalled passion. For more info, visit http://www.heddonmuseum.org/
In addition to the few websites mentioned, a few more great resources on the Web are http://Joesoldlures.com, a great forum for info with lots of great people willing to share info and the NFLCC website nflcc.org which has a tremendous resource database of catalogs as well as a message board. Another fantastic resource is http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com which is packed with great articles and info about all facets of fishing history. A few other great lure sites packed with information include http://Lorelore.com and http://lurelady.com. For those looking for some great info on Canadian baits, check out Patrick Daradicks website http://www.ontariolures.com. Last but certainly not least, a big thanks to John and Debbie Ganung of Lang's Auction for granting permission to utilize pictures of their auction items as examples of some great, extremely rare Zig Wags.
Lastly, a shameless plug; I'm always looking to buy or trade for Zig Wags for my collection. Please don't hesitate to email me any questions, suggestions, additional info or baits you have for sale or trade at [email protected].
