A lovely antique Napier "Mechanical" Jigger Spoon. This jigger/spoon features a "stepped" or graduated design with 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 1 1 1/2 oz, and 2 oz etched into the jigger. Here's how the "mechanical" part works: when you press down on the jigger, it allows the liquid to escape down the spoon into your cocktail. Then with the spoon end, you can stir the contents of your drink. This jigger likely had silver-plating (these pieces were silver-plated over brass) and the silver-plating is gone on the jigger section, exposing the gold brass. Truly a lovely jigger/spoon that has a magical feel to it. Please note: Napier made several variations of this mechanical spoon, some had more "pointed" spoon beds (like this one) and later version had a more "rounded" spoon bed. If trying to replace one, please make certain this is the version you're looking for.
Measurements: Approx 9 1/2" tall
Maker/year: Napier, circa 1930s
Hallmarks: "Napier Pat. Pending" can be found in tiny letters on the back of the spoon.
A summary on this vintage manufacturer: The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company. Like many jewelry companies Napier got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like serving utensils and barware and is considered one of the pinnacles of vintage barware today.
Condition: Good condition overall but with very noticeable age, which is part of this spoon's magic. If you're looking for a pristine piece, this spoon is not it. We have a number of NOS (new old stock pieces) that don't show age and patina. Please see our other listings.
Here's a full Conditions Summary for this spoon
1) As mentioned above, the brass is exposed on the jigger portion (where the silver-plating has worn away)
2) The silver-plated stem/spoon show patina and age
3) There's tarnish in a number of places
4) The interior of the jigger shows quite a bit of age (please see photo #10)
In short, this spoon shows age. For a piece that's 90 years old, it displays beautifully!
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery. If purchasing multiple pieces, we'll combine shipping to a single box (or as few boxes as possible) and will automatically reimburse you for all shipping overages paid.