Reply by Sue OldsWidow on February 25, 2012 at 14:14

Founded in 1844 by Alexander Hamilton Holley and George Merwin as Holley and Merwin, the Company claimed to be the oldest manufacturer of pocket cutlery in the United States. The company name was later changed to Holley & Company. In 1854, it was incorporated as the Holley Manufacturing Company.

The Holley Manufacturing Company of Lakeville (Salisbury), Connecticut, produced pocket cutlery and related products, from 1844 until 1946. Holley Manufacturing Company’s sales and production declined after 1933 and the firm was dissolved in 1946.

Interestingly, this Holley catalog from 1915 states the firm was in its 72nd year (1843).