A lovely and scare Napier brass "stepped" Jigger, 1930s. This measure features a stepped or graduated design with 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 1 1 1/2 oz, and 2 oz etched into the jigger (on both sides). Napier also made this jigger in silver-plating (the most common version of this Napier jigger) as well as sterling silver. Truly a gorgeous piece and the pinnacle of vintage Napier jiggers. We've included the original print ad (see last photo), this is purely for reference and does not come with the jigger. Cheers
A quick bit of history on Napier: 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 cocktail shakers and jiggers. In the early to mid 1930s they started producing several cocktail shakers (most notably the "Dial a Drink shaker" and the Rooster motif shaker) other pieces of barware including this well-known graduated/stepped jigger.
Measurements: Approx 2 1/2" tall
Maker/year: Napier, 1930s
Hallmarks: Stamped "Napier Pat. Pend." (for "patent pending") on underside of the handle
Condition: Good vintage condition overall with mild signs of age and tarnish. Here's a full summary:
1) The interior is clean and in great shape
2) There are two darker age spots that brass gets over the course of decades (we have not polished this piece)
3) The bottom exterior has a shallow ding right on the edge (see photo)
4) There's a tiny ding on the side of the jigger that was impossible to capture in a photo, so we're mentioning it here
5) There's general "age" that comes purely from time
In short, this jigger is in good vintage condition but does show signs of age as well as tarnish. It has a magical feel to it.
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery.
****Important to note pre-purchase: Buyers, please examine all photos carefully as we cannot accept returns due to the fragile nature (the possibility of breakage or damage when being shipped back) of our vintage/antique pieces. Our items are true vintage pieces that might have manufacturers flaws, flaws from age, or imperfections in general from being vintage. We try to explain the condition/description in an accurate and thorough manner but we ask that you please examine all photos carefully and ask all questions before purchasing an item as we are unable to accept returns due to the risk of breakage/damage. Cheers!