Napanoch Identification?

Winchester entered the knife market as a manufacturer in 1919 by acquiring two existing knife companies; Eagle Knife Co. of Connecticut & Napanoch Knife Co. of New York. Winchester stepped away from the market in 1942 to focus on war related manufactured products, but re-entered in the late 1980s by licensing its name to Blue Grass Cutlery. Blue Grass had high quality knives made by Queen Cutlery that featured the Winchester brand name for a handful of years until the license arrangement ran its course. Winchester eventually started licensing to other companies & now you will find the brand name used by several knife manufacturers by way of license agreements.
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Cabphoto
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Napanoch Identification?

Post by Cabphoto »

Hi there-

Recently picked this up. Curious if there is a correct name for this type of knife. I am probably used to "nicknames" like Trapper when looking at the basic shape and size of the handles but realize there could be another more correct way to identify this knife? Let me know. Sportsman, Hunter, Trapper or maybe something else. Unfortunately the snap is almost non on the main blade and it's a bit short but I really think it's cool and beautiful. Anyone know anything about it? I know Napanoch ended in about 1919 and Winchester bought them or absorbed them. Thanks

Chris
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New_Windsor_NY
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Re: Napanoch Identification?

Post by New_Windsor_NY »

Cabphoto wrote: Wed Oct 15, 2025 4:39 pm Hi.....
You might want to check here:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=22997
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Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
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knifeaholic
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Re: Napanoch Identification?

Post by knifeaholic »

I may be wrong, but I believe that it is a WWI era knife made for the US Army Medical Corps.
Cabphoto
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Re: Napanoch Identification?

Post by Cabphoto »

knifeaholic wrote: Wed Oct 15, 2025 5:46 pm I may be wrong, but I believe that it is a WWI era knife made for the US Army Medical Corps.
Wow That would be cool. Can you think of any resources where that info may be obtained? I mean I will obviously google it. Thanks for your input.
98src
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Re: Napanoch Identification?

Post by 98src »

The knife is identical to one shown in Cole's book on military knives. The one in his book was made by Kastor (made in Germany) and was marked USMD.
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