Antique Universal No. 2 Food Chopper Meat Grinder Pat. 1897

Antique Universal No. 2 Hand Cranked Food Chopper, Meat Grinder, Turn of Century, patent 1897. This grinder has tremendous embossed letters and numbers that bring a remarkable vintage / rustic décor to this piece and room. It reads, "L.F.&C. NEW BRITAIN, CONN. U.S.A. No. 2 UNIVERSAL FOOD CHOPPER"  and other side: “PAT. OCT. 12, 1897.  APR. 18, 1899 Re. Sept. 5, 1899. “ Made by Landers, Frary & Clark (L.F.&C.) New Britain, Conn. U.S.A with great craftsmanship.  This vintage food chopper is designed to attach to tabletop or countertop when used. Note, the clamp will likely leave an indent from the feet, so may need to put something in-between the clamp and food chopper feet and the table top.   Condition is very nice with a vintage patina for it's age.  Unknown actual age, but it was used depression era.  I inherited it in the early 1980's and have only had it displayed.  Handle and crank operates smoothly.  The two blades I believe are fine and coarse.  It will require some attention and reconditioning if you plan to use if for grinding, otherwise will display fantastic with most any decor, farmhouse, vintage, rustic.  Please look at all pictures for condition.  Overall measurements are approximately 11" X 10", with a 2 1/2" output and a 3" X 4" oval hopper at top. The Universal Food Chopper was first sold by L.F.&C. in 1897, and proved to be so popular that the company still offered it in its catalog over sixty years later. It was marketed as a device that not only ground meat, but also processed vegetables. In a 1955 address to an audience in Connecticut the company's then chairman of the board remarked that, with the introduction of the Universal Food Chopper to American kitchens in the late 1800s, "Odds and ends could be turned into hashes and casseroles with ease..." The number 2 on the device referred to the size of the grinder, with the 3 model being the largest for heavy-duty use and the 00 model the smallest. The appliance originally came with three different blade attachments for fine, medium or coarse grinding. Made of cast-iron by L.F.&C. in New Britain, Connecticut many of these rugged grinders have survived to the present day, outliving the company who made them; L.F.&C. ended its 102 year run in 1965. Modern-made copies are still sold for those who prefer grinding their food by hand instead of using electric appliances.

Condition

Used (normal wear)

Type

Food Chopper Meat Grinder