Napanoch Knife Company Toenail
One of our members of the Elephant Toenail Collector Club brought to my attention a Napanoch Toenail for sale on eBay right now.
Napanoch is a rare and sought after brand, and is another one of those very early toenail makers.
According to Rhett Stedham’s book entitled, Napanoch, “A White Man’s Knife with a Red Man’s Name,” this knife company was incorporated in 1909, but had been making knives prior to that. He goes further to say, “In 1905 the knife company became first known as the Napanoch Knife Company.”
Winchester Repeating Arms Co. bought them in June of 1919. The original founders of this firm later (1921) founded Honk Falls Knife Co., another very rare brand. In fact, these men returned to the original Napanoch plant where they started Honk Falls (Winchester had moved Napanoch to New Haven, CT).
Goin’s states the founders of Napanoch were making knives as early as 1900.
In its early years Napanoch made knives on contract for several firms that sold toenails, including, Wilbert Cutlery Co., Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett, Challenge Cutlery Co., Henry Sears, and, of course, W. R. Case & Son!
As a side note- we understand the years of W. R. Case & Son to be 1902- 1903, so we know Napanoch was making toenails then.
Napanoch is another major player in the early history of Elephant Toenails.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:10 am
If the guy ever puts a reasonable starting price on the knife he may get someone to bid on it.It`s gone thru twice now,and no bids.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I talked to the guy and the snap is weak too.
Did you notice the stamp 2250 on the front of the pen blade? I haven’t checked mine yet, but the photo shows the name stamped there instead. Doesn’t necessarily mean anything though.
Personally, I didn’t like the manner in which the seller described it…said what it was not, not what it was…
January 29th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
“in pretty good, if not mint condition”, his words. My words, NOT! I`m not sure about the 2250 stamp. The only Napanoch I have is a Union made one, and it has 2250 on it but I can`t remember where it is stamped.
January 29th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Interesting, here is what he said to me, and I quote “The snap into the open position, aren’t loosde in the half-way position, but need a nudge to close.”
Now as a buyer you tell me what this means…. so I emailed him back to ask him what that answer meant, and then I got this reply-
“Typing with a head cold. They snap into the full open position, aren’t loose in the half-open position(no wiggle), but don’t snap shut. They need a nudge to seat them into the case, otherwise, they will stay in whatever position you release them to.”
Pretty good, is a long way from N. Mint…if the blades don’t walk and talk.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Scott,
My Napanoch has “Napanoch Knife Co” on the front side and 2250 on the back side. He must of had a really bad head cold or too much medication.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
The guy has the knife listed again.He`s still proud of it.Starting bid $550.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Plus $14.55 shipping,insurance additional.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I’m going to be listing a nice little Napanoch knife today on eBay. Look under my seller name of jumpinjimbo. HAVAGOOD1, Jim