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Antique Shapleigh's Hardware Carpenters & Shingling Half Hatchet with Original Imprinted Hickory Handle. Handle has a piece missing along shaft but it is still tight to head. Dimensions: approx. 13 1/2 inches long overall, 3 1/2 inch bit, 1 inch diameter hexangonal hammer poll.
Born January 10, 1810 in New Hampshire, Augustus F. Shapleigh made hisfirst excursion into the hardware business at the age of 15. In 1829, he took up a position as a hardware clerk with Rodger Brothers and Company of Philadelphia, PA. In response to the great westward expansion, this company opened a branch in St. Louis, MO. This hardware house, known as Rodger, Shapleigh and Company opened in 1843.
Mr. Shapleigh quickly gained prominence in the business community and the store flourished. Its first year inventory exceeded $20,000.00--quite a substantial amount for the mid-1800's. In 1847, the company reorganized as Shapleigh, Day and Company.
At Mr. Day's retirement in 1863, the name of the company became A.F. Shapleigh and Co. The famous Diamond Edge trademark was adopted in 1864.The slogan, "Diamond Edge is a Quality Pledge", is said to have first been used in 1909. Diamond Edge tools were the first line of edge tools (knives, razors, axes, cutlery, etc.) in the United States to be covered by a jobbers trademark. In addition to its famous Diamond Edge,other recognizable "house" brands marketed by Shapleigh were Mound City, Norleigh Diamond, Diamond Brand, Jersey, Panama, Ice Diamond, Bluebelle, Sageware, Black Jack, Red Raven, King Nitro, Sahara, Black Prince, Blue Diamond, Rugby, Triumph, Defiance, Black Wonder, Double Diamons, Mascot, Bull Dog, Ozark, Columbia, Longwear, Mizzou and Bridges.
By the late 1800's, Shapleigh Hardware was a well-established, healthy and successful enterprise. It was incorporated under the name of A.F. Shapleigh and Cantwell Hardware Company, with A.F. as the president. It published its first general catalog featuring over 200 different items in 1880. Upon the retirement of Mr. Cantwell in 1886, the firm became A.F. Shapleigh’s company again.
In 1918, the company became Shapleigh Hardware Company. They bought the assets of Geller-Ward- Hasner in 1937. After the bankruptcy and closing of Simmons Hardware, they bought its entire stock in 1940. At this time the Keen Kutter and Diamond Edge trademarks were joined. Other items were now marked Shapleigh' Keen Kutter, instead of E.C. Simmons Keen Kutter.
Shapleigh celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1943. In 1955, the directors sold the company to Curtis Mfg. Co. They continued to operate the business under the Shapleigh Hardware name until closing in the early 1960's.
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