From:
Pocketknives...second edition by John E. Goins 1982
Shapleigh Hardware Company c1843-1960 This company had it's start in 1843 when
A. F. Shapleigh, then a junior partner of Rogers Bros. & Co. of Philadelphia,
brought to St. Louis a stock of goods to open a branch of that company. This
branch was named the Rogers, Shapleigh & Company. In 1847 the company
became Shapleigh, Day & Co. This name was used until 1863 when the firm
became A. F. Shapleigh & Co. The next year, 1864, Diamond Edge was adopted
as the trademark for their tools and cutlery. The exact marking on these early
knives is unknown at this time. In 1880 the name was the A. F. Shapleigh and
Cantwell Hardware Company. This firm continued until 1888, when it became the
A. F. Shapleigh Company. The next change in the company name occurred in about
1902. At this time, the company became the Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Company.
Saunders Norvell started with the E. C. Simmons Hardware in the late 1800's as
a clerk. He was still a clerk in 1898, but by 1900 was a vice president of the
Simmons firm. By 1902 he had changed to Shapleigh, and was president by 1907 of
the Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Company. The name once again reverted to A. F.
Shapleigh Hardware Co. in about 1920. On July 1, 1940 Shapleigh purchased the
E. C. Simmons Hardware. From this time until 1960, they used the old Simmons
trademarks on their products, as a second line to the Diamond Edge trademark.
They continued to do business until 1960 when the firm was sold. Berkshire
was one of the marking used by Shapleigh
This nice Lady's type folding dirk/knife features a lock back released kris type blade topped with twisted grips fastened with steel pins over brass liners.
The blade
is 99% full in shape with razor sharp edge and is tang stamped *Berkshire
Cutlery Co*, it is lock back released and the pump is at the bottom of the
knife. No dents or nicks and no damage to note to the handles
Measures:
12 cm folded and 21 cm when fully extended