Charles Napier, an immigrant from Scotland, worked for a time at Eastman Kodak Co., and then left in 1897 at age 26 to go into business for himself. Napier had a fondness for creating multiple closely-related companies so the ensuing timeline is a bit messy. His early businesses were constrained by a lack of capital. Perhaps his multiple businesses were a way of bringing in investors without giving up control over his existing activities. In any event, here is the timeline, as best as we can piece it together. The names in <red are those that made power hacksaws and/or metal-cutting bandsaws

• 1897—Napier invented and patented machinery for making extension ladders and begins making his ladders. Only six months later he sold the business and the related patent rights.
• 1898—Napier and a partner formed Napier & Long in Rochester, NY, to make hack-saw blades based on machinery and tempering processes of Napier's invention. Mr. Long soon left the business and the firm became the Napier Saw Works (exact timing unknown).
• 1903 (approx.)—Napier was gaining a reputation for quality but had not really grown beyond the local Rochester market. In 1903, however, he received an order so large that he could not afford to buy the raw material. To fulfill the order he associated with Edward S. Bradford to set up a new business in Springfield, MA, the Massachusetts Saw Works, with his Rochester-based business continuing in parallel.
• 1906—Napier parted ways with Bradford and organized the Napier Saw Machine Works in Springfield, with two employees. The Massachusetts Saw Works also continued, apparently as a separate business, although the closely related product lines suggest that manufacturing may have been shared.
• 1907—Napier and others establish the Quality Saw & Tool Works, Inc. in Springfield, with an exceedingly modest initial capital of $5,000. Following the announcement of its founding, we can find no mentions of this business until 1913.
• 1911 (or slightly earlier)—Napier relocated his Rochester operations to Springfield. He began manufacturing the "M.S.W." portable power hacksaw under the Massachusetts Saw Works banner. In 1911 Napier Saw Machine Works was also manufacturing power hacksaws, as they likely had been since their 1906 founding. The Quality Saw & Tool Works, Inc., was formally dissolved but continued to operate.
• 1913 (or slightly earlier)—The Napier Saw Machine Works was operating out of the same new factory as the Quality Saw & Tool Works; the factory was located on Napier Street in Springfield. By this time 60 people were employed.
• 1913—The Massachusetts Saw Works established a branch in Hamilton, Ontario, the Victor Saw Works, Ltd. ("Victor" was a brand name used by Massachusetts Saw Works).
• 1915—Business had expanded considerably, with branch offices in New York City and San Francisco. The Quality Saw & Tool Works (note the lack of "Inc.") was registered with a capital of $50,000.
• 1917—The Massachusetts Saw Works changed its name to the Victor Saw Works. The Quality Saw & Tool Works changed its name to the Napier Saw Works, Inc.
• 1920—Charles Napier co-founded Alden-Napier Co. to manufacture products from bakelite. Shortly afterwards, a group of New York bankers acquired The Victor Saw Works and the Napier Saw Works, taking the sawblade business except for bandsaws. The Napier Saw Works, Inc., continued with the hacksaw blade business, and a new business was organized to take over the sawing machine business: the Metal Saw & Machine Co., Inc., with Fred T. Ley as president and Henry M. Blanchard as treasurer and general manager (they held the same positions at Napier Saw Works, Inc.) Reading between the lines, we believe that Napier was selling off his ownership of the sawblade and machinery business and this led to the acquisition and reorganization.
• 1921—The Napier Saw Works, Inc., incorporated in New York, and the operations moved to Middletown, NY.
• 1922—The Victor Saw Works is reorganized as Bradford Associates. We cannot reconcile this with the 1920 purchase of Victor Saw Works by New York bankers.
• 1926—The Napier Saw Works, Inc., was dissolved.

Information Sources

• 1903 The Iron Age Directory lists Massachusetts Saw Works, Springfield, Mass., as suppliers of "Blades, Saw, Jewelers', Coping, Bracket, Mica, Slate, &c."; "Saws, Band, for Metal"; "Saws, Butcher, Kitchen, &c."; "Saws, Coping"; and "Saws, Hack, and Hack Saw Blades".
• January-June 1906 Treasury Decisions Under Customs and Other Laws. "Drawback on hack-saw blades manufactured by the Massachusetts Saw Works, of Chicopee, Mass., with the use of imported sheet steel.—T. D. 25445, July 1, 1904, extended..."
• 1907-07-25 The Iron Trade Review. "The Quality Saw & Tool Works, Inc., Springfield, Mass, mechanics' tools, etc., has been formed with a capital of $5,000. The officers of the company are: President, Harry E. Richards, Buffalo, N. Y.; treasurer, Charles Napier, Springfield; clerk, Jonathan Barnes, Springfield."
• 1909 Report of the Tax Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "Quality Saw and Tool Works, Incorporated, Springfield. Organization certified July 11, 1907. 1903, c. 437." A table shows that certificates were filed May 13, 1909; annual meeting was held May 12; capital stock remained at $5,000; they had no real estate, machinery was valued at $2,000, stock was valued at $500, cash and receivables were $2,300; they had made $10,424 profit; accounts payable $7,724; floating indebtedness $2,500.
• April 1911 Machinery. "Charles Napier, of the Quality Saw & Tool Works, Springfield, Mass., sailed in March for a four weeks' business trip to England and Scotland in the interests of the company."
• 1911 Hendricks' Commercial Register of the United States lists Massachusetts Saw Works, Chicopee, Mass., as a maker of portable hack saw machines and "Diamond" saws ("Butchers, Etc.") Napier Saw Machine Works, Springfield, Mass., is listed as a maker of hack saw machines. Quality Saw & Tool Works, Springfield, is listed as a maker of "Saw Blades & Frames, (Hack)".
• November 1912 Western New England Magazine. "On October 9, 1912, Mr. Charles Napier, proprietor of the Quality Saw and Tool Works in Springfield, gave his employees a complementary dinner and Hotel Henking to celebrate the opening of his new factory and the material growth of the business in six years. The new building is located on Napier Street, off Armory, near the Boston & Albany Railroad tracks. This is to be one of the most approved structures and in the setion that is being rapidly developed by Mr. Fred T. Ley."
• February 1913 Western New England Magazine has a full-page ad from "Quality Saw & Tool Works / Napier Saw Machine Works / Springfield, Mass." In a larger article on hardware manufacturers of the state:

  Quality Saw & Tool Works—This company was organized in 1906 as the Napier Saw Machine Works by Charles Napier. At that time there were only two persons associated with the business. Four years ago the company began the manufacture of "Quality Hack Saws" and to-day the plant occupies a building 20 by 500 feet. An addition, 50 by 50 feet, has been built and another story will be added to the main building this summer. The plant is situated in the tract of land recently developed on the Boston and Albany railroad, just east of Armory Street, Springfield. Sixty skilled men are employed and the product is sold throughout the United States. The firm manufactures one-third of the coping saws used in this country and in addition to their standard "Quality Hack Saws," make band saws, hack saw machines, butcher saws and jewelers' saws. The product in all lines is of a high grade and is well known. In January the company began the manufacture of circular saws and established a saw repair plant where saws of all kinds are repaired. This plant is one of the best equipped plants of its kind in this portion of the state.

• 1913-07-03 The Iron Age.

  The Massachusetts Saw Works. Springfield, Mass., will locate a branch factory at Hamilton. Ontario, which will be known as the Victor Saw Works, Ltd. The Hamilton plant will be operated as an entirely separate industry. A two-story building has been leased, which will be thoroughly renovated, making it the most efficiently designed and thoroughly equipped saw works in Canada. When running at full capacity this factory will employ 75 men, principally skilled mechanics. J. W. McQuillan, formerly connected with the Massachusetts Saw Works in an executive capacity, is president, and Harold G. Strout, formerly sales manager for the Massachusetts Saw Works, is vice-president. The secretary-treasurer is E. S. Bradford, Jr., of the same organization.

• 1913-07-03 Canadian Machinery for Canadian Quality Saw & Tool Works, 4 St. Antoine St., Montreal. The 1/8 page ad shows a hacksaw blade with "QUALITY" written on it, which is virtually identical to ads from Quality Saw & Tool Works of Springfield, Mass.
• 1914-12-31 American Machinist: small display ad for Quality Saw & Tool Works, Springfield, Mass. The ad shows three kinds of blades: hack saw, circular saw, band saw. The ad copy says that their blades have milled, not punched, teeth. Elsewhere in the issue they are listed as makers of Saw Frames and Blades, Hack; Sawing Machines, Metal; and Saws, Metal Band.
• 1915 Engineering Directory lists Massachusetts Saw Works, Springfield, Mass., as suppliers of "Saws, Hack (blades)"; "Saw, Hack, Power" (M. S. W. brand, portable); "Sets, nail and brad". The company had branch offices at 101 Reade St., New York, and 111 Main St., San Francisco.
• March 1915 Machinery: small display ad for Quality Saw & Tool Works, Springfield, Mass. The ad shows a circular saw and also lists hack saws and band saws. Elsewhere in the issue this firm is listed as a supplier of saw blades, metal sawing machines, circular saws, and metal band saws.
• 1917-01-13 American Artisan and Hardware Record. "The Quality Saw and Tool Company, Springfield, Massachusetts, has let a contract for the erection of a one story, 50x100 foot, plant addition."
• February 1917 Machinery has a full-page ad for Massachusetts Saw Works' No. 5 M. S. S. power hacksaw.
• March 1917 Machinery has a 1/4 page display ad from Napier Saw Works, Inc., of Springfield, Mass., "Successors to Quality Saw & Tool Works", for their "Quality Hack Saws".
• 1918-01-03 American Machinist.

  MR. CHARLES NAPIER, President of the Napier Saw Works, Inc., was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, January 15, 1872. He attended the Public Schools near there until 12 years of age, when he began to work on a farm.

  At 18 years of age he worked in a wholesale grocery, and stayed there until he came to America two years later. When he arrived here he got a job with the Eastman Kodak Co., where he worked for seven years.

  About 1897 he left there and went into business for himself, making extension ladders. Six months later he sold the patent rights for these, and in March, 1898, he started making hack saw blades as Napier & Long, Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Long dropped out shortly afterwards and Mr. Napier continued the business as the Napier Saw Works.

  Five years later he became associated with Edward S. Bradford, in the manufacture of blades in Springfield, as the Massachusetts Saw Works. This connection was discontinued in 1906, at which time Mr. Napier started the business which is now known as the Napier Saw Works, Inc., successor to the Quality Saw & Tool Works. He is now president of this concern.

  Mr. Napier is a Third Degree Mason, and there are two things that he likes to do— play billiards, and try to persuade everybody that his one ambition in life is to make his product live up to its name, "Quality."

• 1918 Treasury Decisions Under Customs and Other Laws.

  (I) Hack-saws.—T. D. 36291 of April 6, 1916, providing for drawback on hack-saws manufactured by the Quality Saw & Tool Works (Inc.), of Springfield, Mass., with the use of imported tungsten steel, extended to provide for drawback on such articles when manufactured by the Napier Saw Works (Inc.), of Springfield, Mass., successors to the Quality Saw & Tool Works.
  Sworn statement of the Napier Saw Works, dated April 23, 1918, transmitted to the collector of customs, New York, May 14, 1918. (97813.) (Signed) L. S. Rowe, Assistant Secretary.

• 1920-04-01 The Iron Age.

  Charles Napier, formerly of the Napier Saw Works, Springfield, Mass., as president and assistant treasurer, and Milton Alden, 54 Washington Road, Springfield, as treasurer, recently incorporated under Massachusetts laws the Alden-Napier Co., with a capitalization of $50,000, consisting of 250 shares of common stock, par $100, and 250 shares of preferred, par $100, all of which has been paid in. The charter provides for the purchase or building of a plant in which to conduct a general molding business, foundry and machine shop. The new company is interested in bakelite, to be used in insulators and in other ways, which is now being produced by the Dental Electric Co., 43 Dwight Street, Springfield, electrical specialties, which it is understood, will be taken over by the Alden-Napier Co. at some future date.

• 1920 Metal World (July-December). Extract from a full-page advertisement in July 1920 issue...

  ...why this letter [is] coming from a well known Napier Hack Saw Distributor appeals. ...the Napier Saw Works have behind them a generation of manufacturing experience building good Hack Saws. It is more important than the fact that these blades are used or specified exclusively by most of the largest industrial plants of the country. It is even more important than your knowledge that a big demand exists, nationally and internationally, for Napier “Quality” and “Expert” Blades.

  Practically speaking, it is the reason why we decided recently to drop the manufacture of Band Machines, Band Saws (and a few other products we made in the past in addition to Hack Saws)—to enable us to concentrate entirely and without restraint on the building and marketing of “ Quality" and “Expert" Hack Saws. “Quality" and 44 Expert" are worth it. We have found the business big enough to occupy our exclusive attention. And now that we have the long-sought opportunity, we aim to extend, as we have already started in to extend, the Napier 50-50 proposition on Hack Saw Blades where formerly it had been impossible for us to do this.

  This, then, is the time for every dealer who wants a good Hack Saw account to get in touch with us. We are ready to answer your inquiries.

  NAPIER SAW WORKS, INC.
  Western Factory Representatives
  THE CHARLES A. DOWD SALES COMPANY
  Main Offices and Warehouse, 320 Market Stt, San Francisco
  Branches, Seattle and Los Angeles

  From July 1920 issue...

  NEW COMPANY MAKES NAPIER BAND SAWS

  A new company, headed by Fred T. Lee [sic, should be "Ley"], formerly president of the Napier Saw Works, Inc.. Springfield, Mass., and Henry F. Blanchard, formerly treasurer and general manager, has been organized to take over only the band saw and band saw machine business of the last named company. The new company will be known as the Metal Saw & Machine Co., Inc., and will be located in the Springfield, Mass., plant heretofore occupied by the Napier Saw Works.

  Mr. Lee is president of the new company and Mr. Blanchard treasurer and general manager. They expect to employ 100 persons. This year’s schedule calls for the production of several hundred machines, but it is intended to turn out more than 2000 in 1921. The Metal Saw & Machine Co., Inc., will continue to manufacture and market the Napier Metal-Cutting Machine and "Napier" Metal Cutting Band Saws.

  A CORRECTION

  In our June issue mentioning the new plans of the Napier Saw Works, Inc., an incorrect statement was made. We wish to correct any erroneous impression that was given.

  The hack saw business of the Napier Saw Works will continue to be conducted by that company, with headquarters at Springfield, Mass., as in the past, instead of New York, as was stated.

  The Victor Saw Works will continue as formerly to manufacture their well known product.

  As stated in our July issue, the Metal Saw & Machine Company, Springfield, Mass, will manufacture the Napier metal cutting machine and band saws formerly manufactured by the Napier Saw Works, Inc. The latter company will now devote their entire energy to the manufacture of quality and expert hack saws.

• June 1920 Railway Mechanical Engineer.

  Fred T. Ley, formerly president of the Napier Saw Works, Inc., Springfield, Mass., is the president of a new company organized to take over the band saw and band saw machine business of the Napier Saw Works, Inc. The new company will be known as the Metal Saw & Machine Company, Inc., Springfield, Mass. Mr. Ley will have associated with him as treasurer and general manager, Henry M. Blanchard. The schedule for the present year calls for a production of several hundred machines and it is anticipated that as many as 2,000 machines will be turned out in 1921."

  ...The Victor Saw Works, Springfield, Mass., has been purchased by New York banking interests and new officers elected as follows: President, Winthrop Sargeant. Jr.; vice-president and general manager in charge of operation, George J. Siedler; treasurer, Louis J. Oswale; secretary, William P. Jeffery. W. F. Pollock will remain with the company as assistant manager. The Napier Saw Works. Springfield, Mass., has also been acquired by the same interests, the purchase taking in the hack saw blade business, good will and equipment, but not the plant. The old owners of the Napier works retain the factory and the band saw and band saw machine end of that business.

• 1922 George D. Hall's Directory of Massachusetts Manufacturers.
  • Alden-Napier Co 52 Willow St Springfield / Pres., Charles Napier... Products—Moulded Insulation, Condencite, Bakelite / Capital—$50,000.
  • Metal Saw and Machine Co Inc 40 Napier St Springfield / Pres., Fred T Ley / Sec. and Treas., H F Blanchard / Directors—The above and Charles G Gardner / Product—Band Saws / Capital—$400,000 / Employs—100.
• 1922 New England Business Directory and Gazetteer lists Metal Saw & Machine Co Inc, 40 Napier, as a saw manufacturer.
• 1925 Hendricks' Commercial Register of the United States lists "Quality Hacksaw Blades and Frames" as made by Napier Saw Works, Inc., Middletown, N. Y., and "Quality Saw Blades" as made by Quality Saw & Tool Works, Springfield, Mass.
• The Massachusetts corporate registry database has a number of listings of interest.
  • Napier Saw Works, Inc.'s first registration was 1917-01-15. They had a capital of $500,000 preferred shares and $500,000 common shares. The company was dissolved 1926-03-31.
  • Massachusetts Saw Works was renamed to Victor Saw Works and then to Bradford Associates, that name being filed on 1922-06-24, with Edward S. Bradford as trustee (the same man who brought Napier to Springfield back in 1903).
  • Quality Saw and Tool Works, Inc., was organized 1907-07-11 and dissolved 1911-09-14. Quality Saw and Tool Works, 119 Liberty Street, Springfield, was registered 1915-12-30 with capital $50,000.
• American Machinist,V48, 03 Jan 1918, page 2