The Imperial knife company began rooting itself into the cutlery business as a pocket watch chain knife manufacturer in 1916.  The founders were involved in the jewelry industry before embarking of their knife endeavors. 

Schrade eventually bought Imperial out & merged to create the Imperial Schrade umbrella.   Imperial was used as a brand name until 1988, when it was discontinued and replaced by the Schrade name.

AAPK members will often have some great old examples of this knife brand for sale.