Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Handle Maker of the Past, Railway Handle Corp.

Railway Handle Corp. was located in Kenbridge, Lunenburg County, Virginia. The mill was completely destroyed by fire Jan. 2, 1968. It employed 117 people at that time, and its president was Earl Taylor. Apparently they rebuilt, because they appeared in a 1990 directory.

As of 1939, their handle brands were Ajax, Champion, Dominion, Echo, Perfecto, Sampson, Service, Trojan, and Veribest. As of 1979, their brands were Champion, Dominion, Perfecto, Ranger, Sampson, Service, and Trojan. As of 1990, their brands were Bob White, Champion, Cobra, Dixie Special, Dominion, Fire, Flame Seal, Flint, Patriot, Perfecto, Ranger, Sampson, Service, and Trojan. 

Source for fire: The Danville Register, Wed., Jan. 3, 1968, page 1.

Credit for photo of his Bob White axe handle to reader H. A.

Railway Handle catalogs at Archive.org