Description
Raymond Brown Sr. needed something extra to offer to his clients in his Coca Cola bottling business. He ended up buying the 1925 patent rights of a bottle opener from Thomas Hamilton. Brown started producing openers under a new 'patent pending' stamping. After Brown secured the patent from Hamilton, he started producing openers 'Cast in USA' with the patent dated April 21, 1925, Newport News, VA. Eventually Brown modified the opener by adding two 'back stops', adjacent to the prying lip, allowing the bottle cap to be released, that had previously always got caught in the opener. That change in design was patented on Nov. 2, 1943. USA production started and cast with the patent number, 2333088 and stamped 'Made in USA', Newport News, VA. Eventually, openers were cast in West Germany and later, Germany, under the same patent number. Even later castings were produced in Germany and China after the Brown Company relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Current openers are stamped 'Cast in Germany', Bottleopeners.com, Atlanta GA. Having said all this, the opener offered here is the first 'Made in USA, with the 1943 patent, 2333088, Newport News, VA. version. The 'Open Bottle Here' production is quite rare in itself. Add in the condition....and this belongs in someone's collection. This opener has been in our family for well over 50 years. This will be the first time it's been offered for sale. This measures 3" across the face, and 3 1/2" across from screw hole to screw hole. Check the photos. Thank you.
