On January 17, 1881 The Hartford Courant announced the formation of The Capewell Horse Nail Company. Soon after the formation of the company, farriers realized that the Capewell horse nail was in a class by itself becoming the leading brand for horse nails in America. At the turn of the century the safety bicycle with chains and rubber tires and the rapidly developing gasoline driven horseless carriage gained wide acceptance. Some nail producers ceased operations at the time which added an increase in volume sales for Capewell.

Throughout the years, Capewell has managed to survive difficult times thanks to its philosophy of service excellence and high quality. For the last century, Capewell has been the preferred brand for nails in North America. We have and will continue to improve the quality of our products and the service to our customers. In our third century of existence, we will strive to improve every day. We will work diligently to remain the leading brand in horse shoe nails.


• Capewell Nails Receive Wide Acclaim

In 1904, the widespread use and great satisfaction with Capewell nails was reported. Commendations included the following: From King Edward’s Stables, “the most satisfactory nail made”. From the Moscow Trotting Club, of which the Czar was President, “ the best trotters and runners in Russia are always shod with Capewell nails”. From the King’s County Foxhounds, Ireland, “in this trying terrain the steel was often left behind but since using Capewell nails the steel always comes home.“ From the Koyo Veterinary Hospital, Nirasak, Japan, “Capewell nails are the best”.


• Transition and Diversification

The first real move to counteract the fall-off in nail sales came in 1939 when the company entered the metal cutting saw business, and immediately thereafter the forging business. Production started on hand and power hacksaws.

With the outbreak of World War II, the drop forge equipment was used in the production of parachute fittings, a product whose importance was rapidly increasing. Next to the Nail Machine, development of the parachute Canopy Release was probably the most important accomplishment in the company’s history.

Capewell soon became the largest developer and producer of these items in the country. Meanwhile, with the German occupation of northern Europe, and with an effective blockade, Capewell became practically the sole supplier of horse nails for the free world. Consequently the Nail Division worked around the clock. In spite of this, nail orders, including those shipped under lend-lease to countries such as North Africa, Belgium, Holland and France fell about a year behind.

With the end of the war, Capewell also produced an excellent line of claw and ball pien hammers, including on its list of customers one of the country’s largest chains.
In 1970, the Board of Directors of Capewell and Standard Screw Company (formerly Hartford Machine Screw Company) agreed to a proposal under which Standard Screw Company would purchase the outstanding shares of Capewell, and Capewell would operate as a subsidiary of Standard Screw. In 1972 the corporate name was changed to Stanadyne, Inc., and at that time Capewell became a division.

In January 1981, Capewell was purchased from Stanadyne, Inc. by the George D. O’Neill family of New York.
Mr. O’Neill, a private investor with many years experience as a business executive and corporate director, became Capewell’s board chairman.


• Mustad Acquires Capewell

In 1985 Mustad International Group acquired the nails operation of Capewell and founded Capewell Horsenails Inc. Since 1985 Capewell has been investing heavily in improving the quality of its nails and the service to its customers. Today, Capewell is the preferred brand of nails in the marketplace.