“Miller 1863 Brand” is etched on the blade. This firm was established about 1863, and for a few years was located in Yalesville, Connecticut. William H. Miller and George W. Miller were the founders. In 1870, they relocated in Wallingford, Connecticut. This town is only a few miles south of Yalesville. The operation was at this location for only three years.
In 1872, it became necessary to seek larger quarters, and they purchased a building in Meriden, Connecticut from Pratt, Reae & Company, comb manufacturers. This site had been used longer for manufacturing purposes than any other in the town, dating back to Howard, Pratt & Company in 1822. Like many companies of this period, Miller Brothers had difficulties. They failed in 1878, and were reorganized with William Rockwell as president. The new company took over the entire business of the old firm of the same name. In 1882, they began the manufacture of steel pens. The first maker of steel pens in America was Harrison & Bradford, of Mount Vernon, New York.
The Miller Brothers purchased this firm and brought the machinery to Meriden. In addition to being one of the giants in the knife industry, Miller Brothers also played another large role in the history of cutlery in the United States. In its early days, the American pocket knife industry had a hard road to travel. Besides the competition from other American firms, it was caught between the flood of the cheap German imports on one hand, and the English product with its reputation of centuries on the other. One business after another was forced out of business, and hundreds of thousands of dollars were lost in the struggle.<
The ultimate success, not only of his own company, but of the industry itself, was very largely due to the ability of William F. Rockwell of the Miller Brothers Cutlery Company. It was his untiring efforts, along with others, that persuaded the framers of tariff legislation the necessity of protecting of the industry. It was this protection that made it possible for the American manufacturer to produce a pocket knife that was the equal of, if not superior to any other in the world.
Another contribution from Miller Brothers, and William Rockwell was their ability to invent new methods of manufacture, and new machinery to make parts for knives. Patents for machinery to stamp the parts of pocket knives, methods of making bolsters, attaching handles to knives, and different patterns of knives were granted to members of this firm.
Eventually, the manufacture of steel pens became the sole product. The manufacture of cutlery was suspended in 1926. They continued as the Miller Brothers Pen Company until 1943.
(Featured image) Miller Bros. congress knife with celluloid handles impressed with advertising for "Thos. G Carroll & Son Co."
c 1863-1926
MILLER BROS. USA
