Homer Twitchell served an apprenticeship in the Waterville Manufacturing Company factory in the 1840s. In 1850, he moved to Naugatuck, Connecticut. Naugatuck was quickly becoming a cutlery manufacturing center, and employment was abundant for an experienced cutler.
In 1864, he received a patent for an all-metal pocket knife. He managed the Connecticut Cutlery Company almost from its inception in 1868, and they were the sole maker of the “Twitchell Knife.”
In 1872, Twitchell and his son, Frank M. purchased the Connecticut Cutlery Company. This factory was located near the mouth of Fulling Mill Brook just above Lines Hill Street.
In the early 1880s, John A. Lindsay developed machinery to manufacture safety pins. Lindsay’s pin forming machinery was set up in the Homer Twitchell & Sons factory, and for many years Twitchell & Son was the only safety pin manufacturer in the country.
The cutlery went out of business in 1883, but Twitchell & Son continued to manufacture umbrella ties, and safety pins for several years.
(Featured image) A 3 1/4” four-blade pen “Twitchell Knife.” It has Goldine handles, with enclosed backsprings. All blades are marked “Conn Cut. Co. Naugatuck Ct.”
c 1864-1883