 In 1860, Knabe started building a new five story factory on Eutaw and West streets, but had only completed one of its wings at the outbreak of the American Civil War, which compelled them to seek new trade in the West to make up for the loss of their principal market in the South.William Knabe died May 21, 1864, and was succeeded by his sons William and Ernest J. Knabe , and son-in-law Charles Keidel.In 1866, Wm Knabe & Co. introduced their "agraffe treble" with agraffes threaded into a heavier piece of brass instead of directly into the iron frame.