The King Snipe was advertised in 1951. I believe they started production in 1950 or 1951. The King Snipes shown below are from the period of 1950 – 1955. King Snipes were produced until the 1990’s.
The first two lures were probable from the very first year’s production run. The first one is in the old color – White with Red Ribs and a Mustard Eye. The only other one I have ever seen in this color is in Jack Smithwick’s personal tackle box at Bacon’s Tackle in Shreveport, LA. The second King Snipe is in the color Silver Flash with the mustard eye. I have only seen one other King Snipe with a mustard eye, other than the White/Red color, and that is the one in the color Shad that is hanging on the wall in the Smithwick collection at The Bass Pro Shop in Bossier City, LA. I don’t think the mustard eye was used beyond 1950-1951.
The third lure is the color Silver Flash but with the standard Smithwick eye. The forth one is perhaps the color Chinkapin Bream . Then the next one is the color Frog. The last one is a clear cedar color and has a notched nose. All of these Snipes have the heavy hook hanger which was changed to a smaller hanger in about 1955. These were produced between 1949-1955
Smithwick advertised the King Snipe in 1949.. This lure was probable from the very first year’s production run. This lure is in the color Silver Flash with the mustard eye. I have only seen a couple of Snipes with the mustard eye. I don’t think the mustard eye was used beyond 1950-1951.
This is an old Top-N-Bottom era King Snipe. It comes with the mustard yellow eyes and the White body with Red Ribs. This one was probable from the very first year’s production run. The Snipes started production about 1949. This color is from the color chart just prior to this. The only other one I have ever seen in this color is in Jack Smithwick’s personal tackle box at Bacon’s Tackle in Shreveport, LA. I don’t think the mustard eye was used beyond 1950-1951.
Super old King Snipe in the color: Green with White Stripes. Perhaps from the first year of production of the King Snipes. 1949-1955
Another great lure. Snipe with heavy hook hanger, Red see through eye and in the color, Yellow with Black Ribs. Produced 1949-1955. I am guessing this is from 1949-1950
King Snipe - Snipe with heavy hook hanger. It has the see through eye and appears to be Silver Flash. 1949-1955 My guess 1949-1950
King Snipe - Old Snipe, heavy hook hanger Light Green color. 1949-1955
King Snipe - A heavy hook hanger Snipe in the color Silver Flash. Looks like a Silver Eye. 1949-1955
This is a great combination. It is a King Snipe in the color Shad with the heavy hook hanger and the split ring on the line tie. The eye is different: Droopy Eye and it is Black, SILVER, Yellow. It comes in a 1 1/4" cardboard box. It is stamped: 408 King Snipe. Also included is the lure identification chart from about 1952. The lure and box are as clean a the day they were made. 1952
Great Snipe with the 1 1/4" box. Both is pristine shape. Heavy hook hanger and in the color Shad. 1949-1955
It is an old King Snipe with heavy hook hanger. It is in the color Yellow with Black Ribs. It has the Red / Yellow / Black eyes. It was produced sometime between 1949 and 1955.
This is an OLD King Snipe. The wooden body on King Snipes is 3" long. It has the old hardware and the split ring on the line tie. It is stamped ... King Snipe... and comes in the OLD Frog color. Also notice the shape and color of the eye. It is ... Black / Gold / Black... (looks like Silver in the picture) The eye is also the Droopy Eye" design. It shows some battle scars but is a fine example of an OLD Smithwick lure. 1949-1955
This is the F-400 king Snipe with the heavy hook hanger. This is in an early color that I can only guess is the early version of "Chinkapin Bream". 1949-1955
Another Snipe with heavy hook hanger in the color, Yellow with Black Ribs. This one has the eyes, Red, Yellow, Black. 1949-1955
This is an old King Snipe with the heavy hook hanger. It is in the color Yellow with White Stripes. 1949-1955
King Snipe - This is an older King Snipe with the heavier hook hanger. Only one spinner. It is in the color #8 Shad. Produced 1949-1955
King Snipe - Great Lure. An old Snipe with the heavy hook hanger, Droopy Silver Eye and the lure is in the color Shad. 1949-1955
King Snipe - Old Snipe, heavy hook hanger Light Grey color. 1949-1955
So cool! Old Snipe with heavy hook hanger, and Silver Eye. It is in an uncatalogued color: White with Red and Black Stripe Ribs. 1949-1955
Uncharted color. Red Eye, Yellow and Black. 1949-1955
Uncharted color. Blue Back with Silver Stripes. 1949-1955
This is a great old Snipe. It is in the natural cedar color with the faint Red Gill showing. It has the old notched eye design. It does not have the usual twin spinners. Perhaps a fisherman removed them and also put a small lead weight on the rear hook. It has the old heavy hook hanger. It also has a cut out on the front that appears to have been done after it left the factory. A great lure none the less. 1949-1955
King Snipe - Light hook hanger Black with White Ribs
Weedless King Snipe - uncatalogued lure. Very rare. 1970's or 1980'