Old Shapleigh

[stockman]

I could not find this stamp in my books. It is on four lines. Top line Shapleigh Second HWD Co.
Thrid St. Louis Mo. Fourth U.S.A. Would like to know the age of knife. It is 3 1/2" closed, swell center, celloid spear master pen secondary.

Thanks
Stockman

[Sauconian]

I can't answer your question, but that's a nice old knife !

Fran

[Pen & Toothpick]

You may be interested in this one too. The Patent numbers suggest 1906 & 1907. I am no Patent expert though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... PIC&ih=009

[upnorth]

Shapleigh Hardware was in business from 1843 to 1960 according to Bernie Levine. The name changed to Norvell-Shapleigh ca. 1902, then back to Shapleigh ca. 1920.
Diamond edge was their Brand, the knives were made by others, Empire in the earlier days, Schrade later, others in between.
The Tangs were usually stamped as you describe, and Diamond Edge was often etched on the blade. D-E was often stamped on the diamond shaped shield. There was a diamond style Tang stamp also.

[Rupe]

...that's a nice old knife !

Agreed! Very nice. Congratulations.

[upnorth]

stockman, the handle material is one that Empire used before or after WWI, if I'm not mistaken, and I strongly suspect that is an early Empire-made Shapleigh.

[peterforce]

diamond edge was produced also by imperial.

sometimes ill be looking really close at an old imperail blade and all of a sudden up will pop the de and whatever number.

plus i have imperials with DE shields.

[jonet143]

imperial used the diamond edge tm. after shapleigh (1864-1960) closed. they aquired the tm. around 1967.