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Bill Scagel (1875-1963) was perhaps one of the most influential knifemakers of all time. Scagel style knives have been admired and copied for nearly 100 years.
Bill Scagel began making knives in the early 1900s while working at a lumber camp and later at a railroad. Sometime around 1920 he settled in Michigan, built a shop and began his long full-time career of making knives, axes, whimsical metal artwork, cookware, and boats.
For a brief period in the 1920s Bill Scagel sold his knives through Abercrombie & Fitch of New York and some of their subsidiaries. He made a wide variety of knives including camp knives, hunters, bowies, bird and trout knives, fighters, axes, folders, utility knives, kitchen knives, filet knives, and even some miniatures. One of the rarest and most valuable Scagel collectibles is his hunting knifes with a folding blade in the handle. He made only 12 of these and if you could find one today it’s value would be well over $25,000.
Scagel had several friends who worked at the nearby Brunswick Pool Table and Bowling Ball Company and they kept him supplied with ivory, rosewood and Michigan hardrock maple that he used in his knives. He was also fond of using stag and leather in his knife handles. A Scagel knife was the inspiration for Bo Randall to start making knives after he purchased a handmade Scagel knife in 1937 that was being used to scrape paint off of a boat. Scagels influence can be seen in many knives made today by well-known knife makers who pay homage to Bill by continuing to make his style of knives.
Bill Scagel was the true pioneer of modern day handmade knives. The flowing lines of his knives and his characteristic use of stag handles with leather spacers have become trademarks of Scagel style knives.
Mr. Scagel also built many knives for our troops for World War II. Mr. Scagel never had an apprentice working for him, or a helper in his shop, which to this day is still in existence. Every item made and stamped by him was his own creation. He on estimate built 10,000 to 15,000 knives over his career.
He was also a trapper and ran regular trap lines, Mr. Scagel wanted a firearm to reach out and finish off animals caught in his traps, and as was typical with him, made an item to suit his needs.
Mr. Scagel made this pistol from a Winchester model 1904A .22lr rifle in 1929-1930 in his spare time, and registered it with the state on September 24th 1930 as a pistol.
The new pistol as done by Mr. Scagel now sported a hexagonal 24 1’2 inch barrel with a new front blade sight, and a completely built from scratch pistol grip/frame that sported stag grips with Scagels signature arrowhead inlaid into them and an unique firing system. The “trigger” actually is a button on the bottom of the grips with no trigger guard. The trigger is a brass button. Overall length is 24 ¼”.
The pistol receiver is actually stamped with Mr. Scagels stamp as well.
This firearm was registered with the state as stated above in 1930 and remained as such through 2 confirmed owners.
The current owner contacted me about a sale, upon further investigation and working with the Smithsonian Institute, Department of Justice (ATFE Tech branch), MI state police and other sources we were able to get the ATF to register and classify this arm under the Curio and Relics act, effective November 8th 2008.
With the legalities out of the way we then pursued finding the right buyer. The Smithsonian (Mr. David Miller) stated
“I have examined the photographs and documents pertaining to the Winchester 1904A pistol conversion done by William Scagel in 1929 or 1930. The maker’s marks and silver arrowhead are authentic and the crown stag grips are the kicker. This work is definitely attributable to William Scagel.”
And further went on to say
“You have the only known firearm attributal to William Scagel, a famous American craftsman. It would undoubtedly see a five to 6 figure dollar total at auction, whereas an ordinary Winchester 1904A would barely see a three figure total.
“I declare that your Winchester 1904A pistol conversion by Scagel is a rare and valuable curio, and an important firearm of museum interest.”
Another appraiser/Scagel collector inspected the piece as well and stated the following
“I, Felix Pytlinske, of Felix’s Gun Shop, 14023 Green Street, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417, have been an ATF licensed gun dealer since 1955. I have been a collector of Scagel made items since about 1968. Fortunatly, most of my over 100 Scagel knives and other innovative items made by Scagel were acquired before the great rise in price and value. In the 1960’s one could buy a unique Scagel hunting knife for $20 or less. These knives now bring $3000 to over $20,000 each. Since I started collecting I have never sold or traded a Scagel item from my collection.
The Scagel rifle/handgun is one of a kind and would be the top item any international Scagel collector could obtain. As for its value, I would expect if properly marketed on an international level, the value would easily reach from $70,000 to $120,000 at auction. (Way above my capacity to own)”
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This gun was also featured in the October 2003 Vol 29 No 10 covering some of the history of this piece.
Anyone interested in purchasing this piece should feel free to contact Kevin at Tools of the Trade (231)343-9196. Or Kevin@tottss.com
