Anybody have any Fred e Barnett co. Info?

Yankee Josh

Yankee Josh

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Mar 31, 2018
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Hey guys i don't have any pics yet(my new db is in the mail). I can't seem to find any information about this company. Were they a manufacturer? A distributor? Can anyone help with some info for me?? Even just where they were located because then i would be able to narrow my search and get somewhere! Thank you!
 
Thank you for responding! I hadn't heard of them either but i really liked the shape and finishing details of the axe. It had a clear stamp and only some small chips in the bits so i thought I'd get it. $21.50 wasn't to much in my book. I'm hoping Steve Tall will chime in. He seems to know everything!
 
Fred E. Barnett Co.
San Francisco
"Everything for the Logging Camp"

1900s-fred-barnett-logging-industrial_1_6c4ae29351cb077b34f6c82373fba168.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1900s-fred-barnett-logging-industrial-1696031396
 
Thanks Steve Tall. So they were a distributor then! Info about them is oddly scarce. I have been able to find a bunch of their axes for sale and so can see many examples. So far mostly swamping patterns which is what i purchased. It looks like a nice axe and I'm looking forward to putting a file to it.
If anyone, maybe somebody out west, has any more information i would greatly appreciate hearing it! I'll post pics here and the it followed me home thread once i get it. Thank you again!
 
That advertisement says that the company began in the 1930's and the company "does much more than sell and service logging and sawmill equipment... We design entire plants from the idea on up to the finished structure"

May 19, 1955
The Times Standard from Eureka, California · Page 48

FRED E. BARNETT co. LOGGING and SAWMILL SUPPLY with stores In: SAN FRANCISCO, EUREKA, SACRAMENTO, UKIAH, KLAMATH FALLS, PORTLAND. ABOVE: CHIPPING PLANT DESIGNED BY OUR ENGINEERS WE MAKE DELIVERY OF A NEW WASHINGTON TRACK LOADER DIESEL ENGINE TESTING DYNAMOMETER IS ONLY EQUIPMENT OF ITS KIND IN REDWOOD EMPIRE DID YOU KNOW .... that our company does much more than sell and service logging and sawmill equipment? The Fred E. Barnett Company is, actually, more of an engineering firm than salesmen. We design entire plants from the idea on up to the finished structure--do the drafting and engineering to equip it to exact specifications. For more details about our services why not drop In at our Eureka store or the nearest Fred E. Barnett Company office to your location!

IES in OUR LOGGING SUPPLY D I V I S I O N · WASHINGTON IRON WORKS · ELECTRIC, STEEL FOUNDRY · ANDERSON STEEL PRODUCTS · COLUMBIA GENEVA WIRE ROPE · PACIFIC CAR AND FOUNDRY · RUST-OLEUM PRODUCTS ft CUMMINS DfESEL SALES, PARTS, SERVICE in Our SAWMILL SUPPLY D I V I S I O N t SIMONDS SAW and STEEL CO. Saws and Knives · LINK-BELT CO. Trcmsmfssien Preduets % ATES RUBBER CO. Sheaves and Belts * DOMINION BRIDGE GANG SAWS t ARMSTRONG MFG. CO., Grinders and Equipment

Since it's inception in the bleak years of the 1930's the Fred E. Barnett Company has grown from one store to many -- serving the logging and lumbering industry through most of the length of the Pacific Coast. This was only possible through the patronage of our many customers throughout the industry. They find it convenient, economical and progressive to deal through Fred E. Barnett Company -- why not drop in and find out why? YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT OUR FACILITIES DURING YOUR VISIT FRED E. BARNETT CO. Broadway at Ham's Eureka

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/37597484/




 
Steve Tall said:
That advertisement says that the company began in the 1930's.

May 19, 1955
The Times Standard from Eureka, California · Page 48

FRED E. BARNETT co. LOGGING and SAWMILL SUPPLY with stores In: SAN FRANCISCO, EUREKA, SACRAMENTO, UKIAH, KLAMATH FALLS, PORTLAND. ABOVE: CHIPPING PLANT DESIGNED BY OUR ENGINEERS WE MAKE DELIVERY OF A NEW WASHINGTON TRACK LOADER DIESEL ENGINE TESTING DYNAMOMETER IS ONLY EQUIPMENT OF ITS KIND IN REDWOOD EMPIRE DID YOU KNOW .... that our company does much more than sell and service logging and sawmill equipment? The Fred E. Barnett Company is, actually, more of an engineering firm than salesmen. We design entire plants from the idea on up to the finished structure--do the drafting and engineering to equip it to exact specifications. For more details about our services why not drop In at our Eureka store or the nearest Fred E. Barnett Company office to your location!

IES in OUR LOGGING SUPPLY D I V I S I O N · WASHINGTON IRON WORKS · ELECTRIC, STEEL FOUNDRY · ANDERSON STEEL PRODUCTS · COLUMBIA GENEVA WIRE ROPE · PACIFIC CAR AND FOUNDRY · RUST-OLEUM PRODUCTS ft CUMMINS DfESEL SALES, PARTS, SERVICE in Our SAWMILL SUPPLY D I V I S I O N t SIMONDS SAW and STEEL CO. Saws and Knives · LINK-BELT CO. Trcmsmfssien Preduets % ATES RUBBER CO. Sheaves and Belts * DOMINION BRIDGE GANG SAWS t ARMSTRONG MFG. CO., Grinders and Equipment

Since it's inception in the bleak years of the 1930's the Fred E. Barnett Company has grown from one store to many -- serving the logging and lumbering industry through most of the length of the Pacific Coast. This was only possible through the patronage of our many customers throughout the industry. They find it convenient, economical and progressive to deal through Fred E. Barnett Company -- why not drop in and find out why? YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT OUR FACILITIES DURING YOUR VISIT FRED E. BARNETT CO. Broadway at Ham's Eureka

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/37597484/
Click to expand...
There's nothing like having a drink of history when you've a thirst for it...
 
I wonder who manufactured the axes for them? It's petty clear they didn't, isn't it? I've tried searching using San Francisco as a location but to little avail. I may do a temporary subscription to that newspaper. Thanks again!
 
Some information about the man whose name is stamped on the axe:

"Fred Ernest Barnett, 83, 729 West Capistrano Way, San Mateo, died Friday at Mills Hospital after a long illness. A native of Australia, he was a local resident 39 years. He owned the Fred E. Barnett logging equipment company in Eureka, and was a member of the Humboldt Masonic Lodge, and the Islam Temple Shrine, San Francisco. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. R. J. Speck, Belmont, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held tomorrow..."

San Mateo Times Newspaper Archives
Monday, May 22, 1972 - Page 25
https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-may-22-1972-p-25/
 
I come across an occasional Barnett axe. This is a 4 1/2 lb DBL bit. Not as nicely finished as you would expect on a TT or Plumb, but nothing objectionable either.
 
I've had a couple also. Both the same swamper pattern, 4 lb. Pretty good hard steel. I traded them both eventually, but hung and used one for awhile. It was certainly as good as the quality normally seen then.

I knew they were kind of a local company to me, but learned a lot more details, thanks S Steve Tall
 
I got it! I always forget to post pics of things as they are when I get them! I de-rusted it, lightly polished it by hand and cold blued it. I'm going to go file the bits down to get rid if those chips and sharpen it and hang it this afternoon. I'll post pics! Thanks again for your help guys. I still haven't been able to find any info except what was shared here. So i really appreciate it!
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It measures exactly 10" and both bits are "4-5/8. It weighs #3-13.6oz.
 
Well here it is hung. I'm disappointed to report that the steel is the softest I've ever seen. That may not be saying much as I've only ever encountered one other soft axe. It filed and sharpened WAY to easy! It'll be a neat test to use it and see how it holds an edge. I'm not expecting much but you never know.
In the process of filling.
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It's a nice looking axe i think. Let's hope it's useful too. If not maybe i can learn and temper it someday!
 
Thats a nice looking head, on a good looking handle and solid hang!

Too bad it seems so soft, it could have been burned somehow in the past.
 
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