When most people hear the name Peugeot, they immediately think of French-made automobiles. But dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a far broader and older industrial story—one that reaches well beyond cars and firmly into the world of hand tools.
This became particularly interesting to me when I recently picked up a drawknife stamped “PEUGEOT & CIE” (Peugeot & Co.). I already had several planes in my collection marked “PEUGEOT FRÈRES” (Peugeot Brothers), so naturally I wanted to understand how these tools fit into the larger Peugeot story—and how, if at all, they connected to the car manufacturer we know today.
Where It All Began
The Peugeot story starts not with cars, but with milling and metalworking. The Peugeot family were originally millers and tanners, but in 1810, two brothers—Jean-Pierre II (1768–1852) and Jean-Frédéric (1770–1852)—transformed the family hydraulic mill at Sous-Cratet, in Hérimoncourt (Doubs), into a steelworks.
Working alongside their brother-in-law Japy, they began smelting and forging steel—laying the foundation for what would become a vast industrial enterprise.
A Tangle of Names and Generations
As the family business expanded, so too did the number of partnerships and company names. It can get a bit confusing, but here are some of the key milestones:
- 1810 – Jean-Pierre II and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot establish a steelworks with Japy.
- 1832 – The business becomes Peugeot Frères Aînés (Peugeot Senior Brothers).
- 1851 – Jules and Émile Peugeot form Peugeot Frères (Peugeot Brothers).
- 1858 – Émile registers the now-famous Lion trademark, which had already been in use since 1842.
- 1891 – Eugène and Armand Peugeot create Les Fils de Peugeot Frères (Sons of Peugeot Brothers).
There was also an important connection with the Jackson family:
- 1838 – William Jackson marries into the Peugeot family, strengthening ties between the two industrial families.
- 1842 – Four Peugeot sons and four Jackson brothers establish operations at Pont-de-Roide, producing tools and steel goods.
Over time, this joint enterprise evolved through several names:
- 1846 – Peugeot Aînés et Jackson Frères
- 1866 – Peugeot Jackson et Cie.
- 1889 – Peugeot Aînés et Cie., later Peugeot Frères et Cie.
- 1907 – Peugeot et Cie.
What Did Peugeot Produce?
Long before automobiles became their defining product, Peugeot was a major manufacturer of steel goods. Their output included:
- Coffee grinders
- Saw blades and finished saws
- Forged cutting tools
- Calipers and squares
- Trowels
- Steel rods for crinoline dresses
- Bicycle components (spokes, chains, and frames)
And eventually—of course—automobiles.
A Closer Look at Peugeot & Cie
The Peugeot & Cie branch produced a wide range of tools, including chisels, saws, hand planes, files, masonry tools, and coffee grinders.
Interestingly, their branding differed from the well-known Peugeot lion:
- Elephant logo – Used on their highest-quality tools, often accompanied by “Véritable Pont-de-Roide”
- Cross and anchor logos – Used on saws of lesser grades
- Bell and squirrel logos – Found on lower-grade forged tools
In 1933, Peugeot & Cie merged with Les Fils de Peugeot Frères, though production at Pont-de-Roide continued until 1936.
My Peugeot & Cie Drawknife
The drawknife I acquired is a particularly fine example.
It features a double bevel, meaning both sides of the blade are angled—something not always seen on drawknives. One bevel measures approximately 5.5°, while the other is around 15°, suggesting it may have been intended for more controlled or specialised work.
- Blade length: 18 cm
- Marking: Elephant logo (indicating top quality)
After comparing it with a 1932 Peugeot & Cie catalogue (which is in French and available here), I believe it corresponds to Model No. 390—although there are no markings on the tool itself to confirm this definitively.
Below is a translated page from that catalogue.
Final Thoughts
What started as a simple tool purchase turned into a fascinating dive into industrial history. The Peugeot name, so strongly associated with cars today, actually has deep roots in steel production and toolmaking.
For collectors and users of hand tools, pieces like this drawknife are more than just functional objects—they’re a tangible link to a time when companies like Peugeot built their reputation not on vehicles, but on the quality of their steel.
And in the case of this drawknife, that legacy is still very much evident.