Stages Of Surf Orenos    

   The South Bend Surf Oreno has always been one of my favorite lures to collect. For this reason, I have defined eight stages of production, which were first published in the June, 1995 issue of the NFLCC Magazine.  The purpose of the article was to present "design stages" through which collectors could more accurately date, study, value, and compare these lures.  The changes seen in each stage are obviously attempts to improve quality and control costs.  The dates given for each stage are, of course, approximate calculations, since most all production changes were usually gradual.  The main constant throughout each stage below is the use of the typical standard, unmarked, thin Surf-Oreno prop.  The body shape shows a gradual change from narrow to fat and from pointed to more rounded.  I should mention that a very few early Surf Oreno type lures have been found with thicker notched props and off-set belly hooks, but I consider these forerunners of the standard production Surf Oreno.  Click on any lure below to see a larger picture and more information on that particular stage of production.

Stage 1      c1916-1919 Narrow Body, GE,    Oval Line Tie

Stage 2       c1920-1923 Fatter body, GE, Elongated Line Tie

Stage 3       c1924-1926 GE,  Teardrop Shaped Line Tie

Stage 4       c1927-1929  GE,   Braced Hardware on Nose and Tail

Stage 5        c1930-1935 GE,   Through-Body Wire Line Tie

Stage 6       c1936-1942  TE,  Painted Cups

Stage 7       c1947-1950  TE,  Unpainted Cups

Stage 8               c1951 and Later                       Pressed Painted Eyes  Surface Rig Hardware