The Horton History

Horton Brasses produces more than 1,000 different pieces of authentic reproduction cabinet and furniture hardware. We have been making brass hardware for over 80 years and use brass, iron, and various hardwoods to make knobs, drawer pulls, hinges, shelf pegs, bed bolts, casters, and hooks.

We use actual antique hardware for our dies and patterns, and still employ many of the same painstaking methods used by early American craftsman. Since our beginning, no compromise is allowed to affect the authenticity or quality of our hardware.

1930’s

A Need for Hardware

Angeline Horton, was an antique dealer with a need for fine hardware. She turned to her husband, Frank Horton, who used his skills as a tool and die maker and began making reproduction hardware in 1936 in his basement. He established his reputation by making hardware for many of the finest antique dealers in the east.

1930’s
1946

The Second Generation

James B. Horton and his wife Barbara join in the family business. Jim is the second generation, set to eventually take over the company.

1946
1950

First Printed Catalog

In the beginning we sold mostly hardware out of the basement to antique dealers from the Northeast. By the late 1940’s, we had expanded enough to produce our first printed catalog, which was mimeographed and published in January 1950.

1950
1964

A Business is Born

Frank and his son, Jim, move out of the basement of their home in Berlin and into a small brick building on a narrow street in Cromwell, CT. Formerly the J&E Stevens Iron Toy Factory.

1964
1960’s – 1980’s

Commitment to Quality

Throughout the 60’s – 80’s, mail order was the primary business. Early catalogs were mimeographed and showed the barest minimum of information needed to purchase.

1960’s – 1980’s
1970’s

Building a Foundry

Jim sets out to build a new foundry building from the ground up. Located behind the current buildings that were still standing from the original toy factory.

1970’s
The 90’s

Generation Three

As the head of the second generation, Jim and his wife Barbara worked in the shop and office until 1992. Jim retires and his daughter Barbara purchases the company. Barbara and her husband Toby, will operate the business for the next 15 years.

The 90’s
1996

The Information Age

Our first color catalog was introduced in 1996. It was a huge leap that brought the company into the 20th century. It showed exactly what we had and how it worked. Toby brought on the first website and handled daily computer operations.

1996
1996 – 2000’s

Expanding Our Offerings

In the mid to late 90’s, we expanded into kitchen cabinet hardware and hand forged iron. We then introduced a few new finishes of our hardware; Satin, Polished Nickel, and Oil-Rubbed Bronze.

1996 – 2000’s
2001

The Fourth Generation

Orion joins the company in 2001, bringing an aggresive online mentality to his business models, marketing and operations; employing ever evolving technology to ensure the business’ presence continues to be known and grown.

2001
Early 2000’s

The Digital Age

We continue to update our online presence and modernize order processing, inventory, and database management. Horton Brasses’ online presence grows with a web blog in addition to the already established website.

Early 2000’s
2004

Oil-Rubbed Bronze Finish

Oil-Rubbed Bronze finish is here to stay as a standard finish. It was previously created specifically for a line of Arts & Crafts hardware.

2004
2004 – 2005

Time For a Change

Renovations are made throughout the building, including an expanded shipping department, conversion of our large showroom into offices, and converting the main office into what is now a small showroom.

2004 – 2005
2007

Change of Hands

Orion takes over the company in 2007 when his mother, Barbara, retires. Each generation of the family held to Frank Horton’s high standards, added foundry expertise and expanded its product lines.

2007
2009

Light Antique is Born

Created and added Light Antique finish to our growing cache of finishes we offer on our hardware. There are now seven house finishes to choose from.

2009
2010

Custom Finishes

Custom finishes are added to product lines that were not normally offered in. These custom finishes include silver plated and gold plated as well.

2010
2012

The Video Blog

We take on the taks of creating a new video blog on YouTube, featuring our employees showing how we do what we do. They are short, informative, and fun; much like our company’s persona.

2012
2013 – 2014

E-Commerce Evolution

We partner with a new shopping cart platform to establish a complete e-commerce website. Their software fully integrates everything we do. This was a hunge improvement to efficiency and customer service.

2013 – 2014
2016 – 2017

Acquiring Londonderry Brasses

In 2017, with the passing of owner Nancy Cogger, Horton Brasses acquires English hardware company, Londonderry Brasses. Lost-wax cast copies of period original hardware was added to our brand, under the original name.

2016 – 2017
2022 – Present

Rebranding

Horton Brasses takes on the task of updating our website presence with a total rebranding. New logo, new website, and more functionality. Same hardware and commitment to quality, with the goal of establishing the company as a “luxury hardware” brand.

2022 – Present
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top