Union Hardware Company
The Union Hardware Company began in 1864 in what had been an old lock shop in the area known as Torrington Hollow. By autumn of 1865, the company relocated down the Naugatuck River into its own set of new buildings. Throughout this time, the company was engaged in the manufacture of ice skates of all sizes and styles. In the following years, Union Hardware expanded its product line to include items made of iron, leather, and wood. In 1905, the manufacture of steel fishing rods began followed by the manufacture of fishing reels in 1923. Through acquisitions, a line of silk fishing line and silk cords was added and, in 1925, split bamboo rods were added to the line of products. Other acquisitions brought Union Hardware into the business of tools and police goods, rules and levels, and athletic shoes and ice skate outfits.
During the 1920s, Union Hardware began production of the tubular steel golf shaft and, by 1946, the company discontinued its vast line of hardware products to concentrate solely in the sporting goods area. In 1960, Union Hardware became part of Brunswick Corporation and continued to be one of the leading producers of sidewalk roller skates and golf club shafts. The production of roller skates was phased out in 1967. In 1996, FM Precision Golf Corporation acquired the Union Hardware Division of Brunswick. The following year, after a merger with Royal Grip, the company changed its name to Royal Precision. Royal Precision was engaged until recently in the manufacture of golf club shafts. In June 2006, Royal Precision was purchased by True Temper Sports Inc of Memphis, Tennessee. Courtesy of the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street Torrington, CT 06790
ref: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/89055-union-hardware-co-ice-skates-size-11
During the 1920s, Union Hardware began production of the tubular steel golf shaft and, by 1946, the company discontinued its vast line of hardware products to concentrate solely in the sporting goods area. In 1960, Union Hardware became part of Brunswick Corporation and continued to be one of the leading producers of sidewalk roller skates and golf club shafts. The production of roller skates was phased out in 1967. In 1996, FM Precision Golf Corporation acquired the Union Hardware Division of Brunswick. The following year, after a merger with Royal Grip, the company changed its name to Royal Precision. Royal Precision was engaged until recently in the manufacture of golf club shafts. In June 2006, Royal Precision was purchased by True Temper Sports Inc of Memphis, Tennessee. Courtesy of the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street Torrington, CT 06790
ref: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/89055-union-hardware-co-ice-skates-size-11