All About Pocket Knives

I have an old Holley & Merwin-Salisbury, MD pocket knife. 1852 is engraved on the back. I have no idea whatsoever if it has value. I found it in one of my old junk boxes from the early 80's. I think an uncle gave it to me. I didn't want to toss it until I found out if it's really that old, and worth anything. Any input would be appreciated. Kevin

Cool old survivor. Looks like horn and/or wood and maybe ivory? What has been inscribed on the pile/back side of the knife? I can make out "1852" but it looks like there's more.

Thanks for posting, and to AAPK!

Kevin1870 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 07, 2025 4:42 am I have an old Holley & Merwin-Salisbury, MD pocket knife. 1852 is engraved on the back. I have no idea whatsoever if it has value. I found it in one of my old junk boxes from the early 80's. I think an uncle gave it to me. I didn't want to toss it until I found out if it's really that old, and worth anything. Any input would be appreciated. Kevin

Welcome here, Kevin.
According to Goin's encyclopedia, knives were made in Salisbury, Connecticut in the years 1844-1846.
He referes to Holley & Co. Salisbury. He mentions Holley & Merwin in 1844. Then Holley & Co. 1850 on.
Holley was also in Lakeville, Connecticut, very close by.
In my opinion you have a rare knife with that stamp. I wouldn't know anything of the value.
You might wipe the blade with a lightly oiled cloth and clean the handles with a brush.
I hope you will retain it in a soft cloth.

Not to steal Joe's thunder, but wanted to add more context to this thread, below is the write up in Goins regarding Holley-Merwin Co. I apologize for the somewhat blurry first page. I thought the photo was better than that.

The 1852 year is very easily made out on the back of the knife, and I also thought that there were initials, or some other inscription on the back, but I have a very good coin inspection magnifier and think they are just deeper scratches. I did some research about the original company and knew that it was in MD, but had renamed and moved after a short period of time. Being this old, and still very sharp, just intrigues me. Being an artifact of around 170 yrs or so is pretty cool. You never know who or where this knife has been in all of those years. This thing has sat in a box in a garage for over 25 yrs, with mice making a home in the box and everything. I wish I wasn't young and dumb when I got the knife, and would have checked it out then. It still opens and closes just fine. I may rub some oil on it as another person had suggested. I did use some water and a soft tooth brush to clean off the bone/ivory, wood, and whatever the black part is. It cleaned up pretty easily. I was wondering about a polishing wheel for the blade, and to brighten the handle some more. Unless that will depreciate the knife?

Thanks for the welcome, and fast responses. I obviously came to the right resource.

Kevin

Kevin1870 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 07, 2025 9:35 pm I was wondering about a polishing wheel for the blade, and to brighten the handle some more. Unless that will depreciate the knife?

Kevin

Wonderful old knife! I’m left wondering if at some time part or all of one side’s handle covers have been replaced. If so whoever did it did a good job. Unusual to see a knife of any age with such a difference from one side to the other. According to Goins’ write up, it was made in Salisbury, CT, not MD.

Regarding your question about using a polishing wheel, I don’t recommend it. Use of any power tool on a knife, especially one that old, runs a big risk of doing more damage than good, and diminish its value. Especially if the user is not a pro well versed in doing such a job with power tools. IMHO an old knife should look like………..an old knife. Most collectors of antique cutlery prefer knives that have not been buffed!

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken