It’s definitely fun to find interesting history behind an item that “randomly” ends up in our little store here in Anderson, but it is infinitely more relatable when you dig into researching and find that the same interesting history also happens to come from close to home.
That is the case with this “Barnsley Brothers” straight razor that recently made its way to the front desk of Grandma’s Attic. I mean, we’ve probably all been amazed to find out something we own has traveled around the world to find its place in our home, but in the age of internet buying and shipping things to the far corners of a huge, round {don’t ask me where the “corners” came from} earth, sometimes it is more shocking when a rather old item stays within an approximate 45 mile radius of its place of “birth”.
The Barnsley Brothers Cutlery Company made its home in Monett, Missouri from 1898 to 1906.
That is the case with this “Barnsley Brothers” straight razor that recently made its way to the front desk of Grandma’s Attic. I mean, we’ve probably all been amazed to find out something we own has traveled around the world to find its place in our home, but in the age of internet buying and shipping things to the far corners of a huge, round {don’t ask me where the “corners” came from} earth, sometimes it is more shocking when a rather old item stays within an approximate 45 mile radius of its place of “birth”.
The Barnsley Brothers Cutlery Company made its home in Monett, Missouri from 1898 to 1906.
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Don’t you sort of wonder what stories this straight razor could tell us? “Franklin, the town barber used to chatter on about politics and the weather while dunking me in and out of the enamelware bowl of water to wash the shaving cream off the chins of the regular customers whose names and stories he knew by heart as well as the occasional stranger who wandered through his front door….” I’m gonna go with the idea that someone, maybe not Franklin the barber, but someone, has been pretty rough on this poor straight razor. That assumption is based on the knicks in the blade, even knicks can tell a story sometimes, you know?
There were six brothers that worked at this company for seven (7) years. It was an extremely successful business during that time. U. S. Barnsley was the oldest Barnsley brother and the founder of the company, as well as several other companies in the Monett, Missouri area.
The company produced a full line of pocket knives and razors. The following is the one that came to Grandma’s Attic in 2014.
This item is $15.50
In 1906 some of the younger brothers decided to move to Laredo,
Texas and start ranching. In 1910 the Barnsley Brothers Cutlery Company was bought by the Case Company.
Items made by the Barnsley Company in the 1900’s are very collectible.
This 1898 Stockman knife is worth $1000.00.
This item is $15.50
In 1906 some of the younger brothers decided to move to Laredo,
Texas and start ranching. In 1910 the Barnsley Brothers Cutlery Company was bought by the Case Company.
Items made by the Barnsley Company in the 1900’s are very collectible.
This 1898 Stockman knife is worth $1000.00.
It must be marked Barnsley Bros. Cutlery Company, Monett, Mo., be 3 1/8 inches in length, have honey bone worm groove scales, have a clip master with match strike pull, and a pen with nice blade length.
There is little on the internet about this company or the brothers, but there are a few pictures that follow;
There is little on the internet about this company or the brothers, but there are a few pictures that follow;
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Barnsley Bros. Cutlery Company is another successful Missouri business that continues on through the Case Company. If you find a straight edge razor or a knife with Barnsley Bros. Cutlery Company etched into the blade, now you will know they only existed from 1898 to 1906 and their items are collectible.
Happy Hunting!
Happy Hunting!
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