Empire Knife Co. American or Japan

[Treasure Trawler]

Hey everyone is this American made in Winsted or Japan made. It looks and feels well made.

[Gone2Three]

Hey everyone is this American made in Winsted or Japan made. It looks and feels well made.

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Beautiful old piece, my non expert opinion... not Japan made
I'm sure someone whom is more knowledgeable about the Empire knife history will chime in

Randy

[BWT]

I’m like Randy, my non expert opinion it is not Japan. I think you are right on the Winsted. It is a really good looking knife though, nice find

[Ridgegrass]

Looks too old to be Japan. (Without a close inspection.) Nice one! Really like Empire's. J.O'.

[Mumbleypeg]

It’s my understanding that the McKinley tariff act of 1890 required foreign-made import cutlery be marked with the country of origin. Someone please correct me if this is wrong. The Empire Knife Co. was in business from 1856 - 1930 according to Goins’.

I don’t recall ever seeing a pre-1890 Japanese pocket knife (actually I don’t recall seeing any pre-WWII, although I’m sure some exist). Maybe also an incorrect assumption, but if true that pretty much rules out the OP knife being of Japanese origin.

Ken