The original patent for the National finger pick was filed on July 20, 1928 by George Beauchamps and John Dopyera who jointly founded the National Guitar Company that year. This prototype finger pick was initially manufactured with only “PAT. PEND.” emblazoned on it until December 30, 1930 when the patent was approved. Thereafter, the assigned patent number 1787136 appeared on each item. There is some conjecture as to whether Beachamps or Dopyera actually designed the nickel silver alloy fingertip device, but Dopyera soon departed partnership with Beachamps to found the Dobro Company.
The rare pre-war PAT. PEND. fingerpick has since become a collectors` gem valued up to $200 a piece. During the 1960`s when the BRC banjoist was first learning to play the 5-stringer, he recalls buying these prototypical PAT. PEND. picks and wondering why no numbers were affixed to them. He discarded these items when the above abbreviated lettering finally wore away from industrious months of practicing rolls.
A life long devotee of National picks, the BRC craftsman has subsequently burnished the “NATIONAL PAT. NO. 1787136” off countless such classic items over the years. With the serial numbers displayed on them, these vintage picks are worth up to $80 apiece depending on condition. Collectors pointedly distinguish the “oval 8” version which features an oval hole in the blade, oval circles in the number 8, and a curved top to the number 3 versus a model with rounded circles forming the blade hole and the number 8, and a flat top to the number 3. These findings reportedly indicate different die castings.
With the success of the popular “oval 8” generation of items, the “NATIONAL PAT. NO. 1787136 USA” version soon appeared inscribed in traditional block print. These picks are called antiques by online marketers and valued up to $45 a piece. Collectors note that sometimes the hole in the blade is off-set from the adjacent USA, or visa visa, and this reportedly denotes different die castings. With the exception of the above PAT.PEND. photo, all of the picks pictured in this posting are from the BRC collection. Many were graciously gifted to the BRC founder by a guitar player in the Gainor & Friends band whose elderly relative had discontinued banjo playing.
New variants of the pick evolved over the years billed as modern reproductions of the original patented item, and these models were inscribed with (note script) “National PAT. NO. 1787136 NP1″ followed by a later “NP2” version. The NP1 item was available in brass, nickel silver, and stainless steel in .025 gauge. The NP2 model was available only in nickel silver and in a lighter .023 gauge. A four-pack of the latter can be purchased today for $12. There was also a NP-2B option made of brass, and a NP2-SS was made of stainless steel as seen below.
In recent years, a very plainly labeled National finger pick has appeared with a pointed blade tip (below). There is also an infrequent reference to a “National Brand” pick reportedly manufactured in Taiwan about which little else is known. In online chat rooms, banjoists are fond of the National pick series but steel guitar players- not so much.
Lastly, a definitive and scholarly history of the National finger pick line, its patent issues, and its sequential brand name owners is not available. The good news is that D`Addario Strings acquired the National finger pick franchise this Spring thus conferring a bright future for these iconic finger tip devices and the current and future musicians who will wear them.
From the BRC: Because of the paucity of accurate information on the timeline of this unique family of historic finger picks, any corrections, additions, commentary, or insights from the readership are most welcome.