Meriden knife co. and Aetna works?

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
Post Reply
User avatar
Beechtree
Posts: 910
Joined: Fri May 04, 2012 8:17 pm

Meriden knife co. and Aetna works?

Post by Beechtree »

Picked this up the other day for a few dollars, feels like a good little knife. It is a Meriden knife co. but it says Aetna on the shield. I know Aetna works was a manufacturing center for L.F.&C but I have never seen this type of marking on a Meriden knife. But, maybe it is common and I just have not seen enough!
I do know that L.F.&C bought out Meriden cutlery, fully, in 1918. Any ideas/thoughts about the age of this knife, or any info at all?
Thanks,
-Ben
Attachments
P5092544.jpg
P5092545.JPG
P5092546.jpg
"A tool is but an extension of a man's hand." -Henry Ward Beecher
User avatar
Bret888
Posts: 577
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:01 pm

Re: Meriden knife co. and Aetna works?

Post by Bret888 »

A possibility is, that it was an advertising knife made for Aetna ins. or another company or organization by that name. I seem to remember seeing that name in other places besides insurance?
knife7knut
Posts: 10697
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:02 pm
Location: Tecumseh,Michigan

Re: Meriden knife co. and Aetna works?

Post by knife7knut »

Meridan made a lot of watch fob sized knives as "skeletons" for jewelers to handle in gold;silver;etc. This looks to be slightly larger(a comparison such as a 1" squares background would be helpful)and I don't think I've seen a Meridan knife with anything other than metal scales.As stated before;Aetna could possibly be Aetna Life Insurance Co which I believe was based in Hartford Connecticut.Interesting knife whatever the case.
Adventure BEFORE Dementia!
User avatar
Beechtree
Posts: 910
Joined: Fri May 04, 2012 8:17 pm

Re: Meriden knife co. and Aetna works?

Post by Beechtree »

Good insight Brett888, this might very well be the case.
Thanks for the information knife7knut. I should have put a ruler next to it, but it is about 3" long. I bet the both of you are correct, but maybe another knife with this shield will turn up and provide some more insight. My thought was that it could be after LF&C purchased Meriden cutlery and these were some leftover blades put on to scales made by LF&C? But I have nothing really to base that on.
I agree, an interesting little knife.
"A tool is but an extension of a man's hand." -Henry Ward Beecher
Post Reply

Return to “Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days”