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Antique O. Barnett Tool Co. Multi-Tool C.1900-1915

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 350.00 USD
Antique O. Barnett Tool Co. Multi-Tool C.1900-1915
In this lot is an O. Barnett Tool CO. multi-tool, circa 1900-1915. This was a multi-tool before its time. The butt of the knife has a flat screwdriver. It has a small blade and an awl. Both of the brass bolsters at the front of the tool have cut-outs in them, which can be used as small wrenches. There are two wrench sizes, a different one on each side. The pliers are on one end. The end of the pliers handle doubles as a hoof pick, used for digging pebbles and debris from horse's hooves. The handle scales are made of jigged bone, which is cow bone that is processed, polished, and dyed to get beautiful colors and patterns, also providing better grip on the handle. Brass pins hold the scales onto brass liners. Produced in the days before stainless steel, the use of brass to avoid corrosion was a recognized mark of quality. The design of the Barnett Plier-Knife was patented on November 20, 1900 by James Catlin Lewis of Tracey, California. Many hardware wholesale houses distributed them, as did national retail mail order firms, such as Sears & Roebuck Company. The stamping on the blade is "O. Barnett Tool Co., Newark, New Jersey". This tool company was only in business for 15 years.