Thread: James Barlow & Sons etched eagle blade "E Pluribus Unum"

I won this blade today and I have yet to do any research but I knew I had to have it. I cant wait to do the digs and see what unearths itself. Checking the blades tail against the guide on this forum...I'd say this blade is between 1830 - 2012. It looks to be about a 7/8s blade. if it's not I will throw it away. I cannot justly display a blade in my home that Isn't at least 7/8.

"E PLURIBUS UNUM" is Latin for "Out of many, one"^[1][2] (alternatively translated as "One from many")^[3] — it's a phrase on the on the Seal of the United States, along with Annuit cœptis and Novus ordo seclorum, and adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782.^[2] Never codified by law, E pluribus unum was considered a de facto motto of the United States until 1956 when the United States Congress passed an act (H.J. Resolution 396), adopting "In God We Trust" as the official motto.^[4]

The listing said:
Guaranteed original and authentic. VERY OLD VINTAGE JAMES BARLOW & SONS 121 ALLEN STRT SHEFFIELD CORPORATE MARK E PLURIBUS UNUM US EAGLE ACID ETCH CIVIL WAR PATRIOTIC STRAIGHT RAZOR. Magnificent 100% acid etch of a flying American Bald Eagle with a scroll ribbon above that says E PLURIBUS UNUM. Super condition with no rust, corrosion, or nicks in the blade that I can see. What looks like rust in the pics is not, it is some dark age staining consistent with very old high carbon steel and pitting mostly along a couple of spots along the top edge and reverse side of the blade tang. The pitting does not affect the face of the blade with the superb American Union Patriotic Eagle etch. The blade tang is factory engraved JAMES BARLOW & SONS 121 ALLEN STRT SHEFFIELD CORPORATE MARK. Big classic Sheffield, England chopper blade with a cutting edge that measures 3.25". The blade opens and closes nicely and is correctly centered within the case. Great old dark horn handles with either a scratch or hairline crack on a diagonal line from the top of the case to the forward pin on one side with a small crease ( but not crack ) following down about 3/8" below the pin. Really nice old peaned brass pins consistent with the highest manufacturing standards of the Victorian Era.

Sweet. I'd guess 1850s or thereabouts. If it was mine I'd just hit the blade with a bit of metal polish on a paper towel and hone it up and shave. Nice piece for sure.

If its not 7/8" I'll dispose of it for you.

Originally Posted by Cove5440

If its not 7/8" I'll dispose of it for you.

Rubbish my good fellow. If it's not at least 7/8 it is unfit for human consumption.
I shall kick it down a never ending black well....THIS IS SPARTA!!!

If you choose to polish the blade I would recommend not touching the side with the etching. It's not worth the risk since the etching can easily be damaged. I would clean with soap and water and then do some spot polishing to remove the areas with rust. Nice old razor!

I was eyeing that razor, glad you got it!

That is awesome! Love the etching and style of the wedge, truly a great motto!

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

Rubbish my good fellow. If it's not at least 7/8 it is unfit for human consumption.
I shall kick it down a never ending black well....THIS IS SPARTA!!!

It just so happens that I have such a well in my back yard....just so you know

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

Checking the blades tail against the guide on this forum...I'd say this blade is between 1830 - 2012.

Im glad one of us got it,
Because of this razor, I stopped "watching" auctions, Instead I just go right to sniper with my bid.....
I didnt realize previous to this that you can "see what others are watching", so all my sneaky watching in the past was actually giving the item more attention than bidding on it!

Anyways great score, glad it stayed in the community!

Originally Posted by epd

Im glad one of us got it,
Because of this razor, I stopped "watching" auctions, Instead I just go right to sniper with my bid.....
I didnt realize previous to this that you can "see what others are watching", so all my sneaky watching in the past was actually giving the item more attention than bidding on it!

Anyways great score, glad it stayed in the community!

Well thank you kind sir. I aim to please any way possible. You can come visit her anytime you like once the Cheetah Meat Museum of Straight Razors opens. "Sniper" is such a harsh term...LOL I consider it more like a last second opportunity..LMAO...AND I GOTZ TO HAVE IT!

It should be in my hands tomorrow. My coworkers are always alittle uneasy when I have straight razors delivered to the office. My boss is always especially nice to me when I have a chopper laid out open next to my keyboard...LOL I'm just saying.