In what year was Abercrombie & Fitch founded?

Abercrombie & Fitch was founded in 1892.

David T. Abercrombie established the business in New York City on June 4, 1892, as Abercrombie Co., a specialty shop supplying equipment for serious outdoorsmen. Its early merchandise included sporting guns, fishing gear, camping equipment, boats, and outdoor clothing—very different from the contemporary fashion retailer most shoppers recognize.

The name Ezra Fitch became part of the company’s identity later. Fitch, a wealthy customer, purchased a major stake in 1900 and joined Abercrombie in the business. The company was incorporated and renamed Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in 1904, which creates a common source of confusion. The company’s standard founding year, including its own historical materials, remains 1892.

Abercrombie eventually became known for outfitting explorers and prominent sportsmen. It supplied equipment for Theodore Roosevelt’s safari and Richard E. Byrd’s Antarctic expedition, and Charles Lindbergh was outfitted by the company before his 1927 transatlantic flight. Its later shift toward youth fashion came many decades after the original outdoor outfitter was created.