UNIVERSAL #2 MEAT GRINDER & BERCO NUT CRACKER

Updated September 24, 2026

Lot number	126
Auction	Round #2 ~ CENTREVILLE, MISSISSIPPI Van Cleave Family ESTATE
Date	October 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM CDT
Auction house	Bell Remnants
Location	McComb, Mississippi

AVAILABLE FOR SHIPPING or LOCAL PICKUP > Two vintage clamp-mounted kitchen implements, both constructed for attachment to the edge of a table or work surface and retaining substantial utilitarian character. 1. UNIVERSAL NO. 2 FOOD CHOPPER ~ MEAT GRINDER ~ Heavy cast-metal hand-crank grinder manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark of New Britain, Connecticut, makers of the well-known Universal line of kitchen equipment. The No. 2 was marketed as a general-purpose food chopper for processing meat, vegetables, nuts and other foods. This example features the flared feed hopper, removable front cutting assembly, long crank with turned wood handle and integral screw-type table clamp. The Universal No. 2 became one of the company’s enduring household food-processing designs during the early 20th century. 2. BERCO ENTERPRISES MODEL 500 SQUIRREL NUTCRACKER ~ Vintage heavy cast-metal lever-action nutcracker manufactured by Berco Enterprises, Miami, Oklahoma. The frame is cast SQUIRREL NUTCRACKER and MODEL 500, with additional numbered components. Designed to clamp securely to a table or counter, the tool employs a long lever operating against a toothed adjustable rack, allowing the cracking distance to be set for different sizes of pecans, walnuts and similar nuts. Both pieces reflect the heavy-duty mechanical construction of earlier American kitchen and food-preparation equipment and remain appealing as functional implements, primitive kitchen collectibles or farmhouse display pieces. CONDITION REPORT > Notably well preserved examples.

UNIVERSAL #2 MEAT GRINDER & BERCO NUT CRACKER

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