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1939 to 1949

The "Regular Size" Jitterbug was was first cataloged in 1939, with a length of 2-3/4" and a weight of 5/8oz.  This top water lure came in six cataloged colors originally, but was ultimately offered in several cataloged colors and non-cataloged colors. In late 1942 or early 1943 they switched from wood to a plastic body.

Peanut Size (Wood) in Black with Red WWII Plastic Lip.

 The "Peanut Size" Jitterbug was also introduced in 1940, with a length of 2-1/3" and a weight of 3/8oz. It came in the same colors as the "Regular Size". Sometime in 1947 or 1948 they switched from wood to a plastic body.

The "Musky Size" Jitterbug was introduced in 1940, with a lengh of 4-1/2" and a weight of 1-1/2oz. It came in Red & White, Black & Silver Scale, and Perch. The original two hook model had disappeared from catalogs in 1942. The "Musky Size" Jitterbug was reintroduced in 1947 with three hooks.

There are and were many other series of Jitterbugs offered in various styles and sizes. Most are still being produced today, see Newer Jitterbug Colors.

See Key Dates to help identify year produced.

I am not perfect. If you see any mistakes, please email me. The images are low resolution, but should give you a good idea. My Color Guides are printed at a much higher resoultion, which can be purchased.

CATALOGED COLORS

CODE & NAME VERSION APPROX. YEAR VISUAL
Frog Earliest 1939-42* Only found on wood, see other Frogs.
Frog Early Variation early-1940's Only found on wood, quite RARE.
Frog Common 1942-49* WWII model typically found with Yellow, Red, Black, and White Lip.
Frog (Name on Belly) Common 1944-49* WWII model typically found with Yellow, Red, Black, and White Lip.
Frog (Transparent Belly) Common 1944-4?* WWII model typically found with Yellow, Red, Black, and White Lip.
Frog Common 1944-49* WWII model typically found with Yellow, Red, Black, and White Lip.
Red Head Common 1939-49* WWII model typically found with Red or White Lip.
Black & Silver Scale Common 1939-47 WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Black & Silver Scale Common 1939-47 WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Black & Silver Scale (No Black) Variation late-1940's Has not been found WWII lip, just straight up and down screws on lip.
White & Silver Scales Common 1939-41 Only found on wood, see Black and Silver for later variation.
Perch Common 1939-49* WWII model typically found with Yellow and Red Lip.
Black Common 1939-44* WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Black Common 1944-49* WWII model typically found with Black Lip.
Yellow (Silver Ribs) Common 1940-44* WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Yellow (Silver Ribs, White Belly) Common 1944-49* WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Yellow Common mid-1940's WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Yellow (Transparent) Common mid-1940's WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Yellow (White Belly) Common mid-1940's WWII model typically found with Red Lip.
Pearl (Black Ribs) Common 1940 WWII model typically found with Red, Black, and White Lip.
Pearl (Silver Ribs)
Pearl Herringbone		 Common 1941
1948-49*		 WWII model typically found with Red, Black, and White Lip.
Pearl Common 1948-49* Metal Lip only.
Scale Common early-1940's Only found on Wood.
Scale Common 1945-49* WWII model typically found with Red, Black, White, and Yellow Lip.
Blue Head Common 1948-49* Metal Lip only, see non-cataloged colors.
Luminous Common 1948-49* Metal Lip only.
Any Cataloged Colors Help

*indicates that the color was offered after 1949, see Newer Jitterbug Colors.

NON-CATALOGED COLORS

CODE & NAME VERSION APPROX. YEAR VISUAL
Blue Head Early Wooden early-1940's Found with Wooden Body and Metal Lip.
Blue Head (Blue Ribs) Variation late-1940's Found with White Lip, but seems odd.
Black Herringbone Common early-1940's Found with Metal Lip.
Black Herringbone (Scaled Ribs?) Variation early-1940's Found with Metal Lip.
Black Herringbone Common late-1940's Found with Metal Lip.
Yellow, Black Herringbone Common mid-1940's Found with WWII Yellow Lip.
Black with Gold Scales Common mid-1940's Found with WWII Black Lip.
Black Head Common late-1940's Found with Metal Lip.
White Head Common late-1940's Found with Metal Lip.
Any Non-Cataloged Colors Help

For other Arbogast colors, see Newer Jitterbug Colors.

KEY DATES

DESCRIPTION APROX. YEAR VISUAL
First Style Hookhangers 1939-41 Also known as Teardrop.
Second Style Hookhangers 1941-48?
Plastic Lip 1942-45 Came in Yellow, Red, Black, White, and Red.
Third Style Hookhangers 1942-46
Forth Style Hookhangers 1942-46 Also variation that loops around entire screw.
Fifth Style Hookhangers 1942-46
Sixth Style Hookhangers 1943-46
Seventh Style Hookhangers 1947?-Current

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