The Piece

A vintage ACE No. 600 staple remover, c. late 1940s.
Stamped metal staple remover with brown molded handles, riveted construction, and curved claw tips.
Marked “ACE Staple Remover,” “Pat. No. 2033050,” and “Made in U.S.A.”

This late 1940s ACE staple remover is a compact piece of American office design, built with a stamped steel body and molded brown handles. The tool features opposing curved metal claws designed to lift and remove staples cleanly from paper, cardboard, bulletin boards, and other office surfaces.

The patent number refers to ACE’s earlier staple-removing design, while the brown molded handles and exposed metal construction support a late 1940s office-industrial date. It is small, functional, and weirdly handsome, because apparently even postwar desk tools used to have better design language than most modern executive accessories.

Product Details

→ Object: Staple remover / vintage office tool
→ Maker: ACE
→ Model: No. 600 style staple remover
→ Period: Vintage, c. late 1940s
→ Origin: Made in U.S.A.
→ Markings: “ACE Staple Remover,” “Pat. No. 2033050,” “Made in U.S.A.”
→ Materials: Stamped steel, brown molded plastic or Bakelite-style handles, metal rivets
→ Color Palette: Brown handles with silver-tone metal body
→ Function: Removes staples from paper, cardboard, boards, and office materials
→ Dimensions: Approx. 3.25 in L × 2 in W × 1.75 in H
→ Weight: Approx. 3 oz

Condition + Updates

Good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear throughout. The brown handles show surface scratches, scuffs, small rub marks, and finish wear from use. The metal body has visible patina, oxidation, and handling marks. The stamped patent and maker markings remain legible. The rivets and claw tips appear intact, and the tool retains its original functional form.

Why This Belongs in Your Home

This ACE staple remover is a sharp little piece of late 1940s desk culture, the kind of object that makes an office, library, studio, or writing desk feel collected instead of bought in one soulless afternoon. Its small scale makes it easy to style with vintage staplers, drafting tools, old books, ledger paper, brass accessories, or industrial office objects.

It works as both a functional tool and a decorative desk accent. The brown molded handles and metal body give it a strong mid-century utility look, adding texture, history, and just enough mechanical personality to a workspace without turning the room into a museum of paperwork trauma.