George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works, Sheffield

George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works

George Barnsley & Sons were the world’s largest producer of files and cutting tools for the shoemaking industry, based at the Cornish Works in Sheffield.

 UK Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Abandoned

History

George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry.  [1]

There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers. [2]

The business grew to become the world’s leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley’s survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.

George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Office
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Office
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Printing Machine
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Printing Machine
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Olde Worlde
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Olde Worlde
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Work Area
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Work Area
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Compartments
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Compartments
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Storage Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Storage Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Decaying Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Decaying Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Tacks
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Tacks
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Cozy Tea Pot
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Cozy Tea Pot
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Office Enquiries
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Office Enquiries
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Typhoo Tea
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Typhoo Tea
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Internal Workings
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Internal Workings
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Workings Detail
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Workings Detail
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Old Kild
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Old Kild
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Long Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Long Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Another Long Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Another Long Room
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works - Gate Number 3
George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works – Gate Number 3
If you liked this report please check out Proj3ctM4yh3m's George Barnsley & Sons report too.

References

1. Source: http://projectsheffield.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/george-barnsley-and-sons-ltd-founded-1836-sheffield-2010/
2. Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forging-History-Barnsley-Toolmakers-National/dp/1906722161

Author: Andy Kay | Facebook | Flickr | Instagram

15 thoughts on George Barnsley & Sons Cornish Works, Sheffield

  1. Cracking pic as usual andy….. I really need a revisit here soon now I have a decent camera and sort of know how to use it !!

  2. Always helps if you can stand out in some way with so many people shooting similar content. Making the shots as good as you can is one way and doing something unique from a presentation POV is another. You’re ticking two boxes at once and that’s why your stuff is so good.

  3. Amazing photography! Can I just ask how you get in? Do you have to ask or just find a way in aha! Looking to do some photography here for a photoshoot.

  4. Thank you for these amazing pictures. George Barnsley is an ancestor of my husband, Nigel (grandson of William Barnsley Allen, VC) We visited the outside of the Cornish Works today and were amazed at how much is still standing. To find all these internal shots online has astounded us. How sad if you and those like you had not explored like this. I have to be honest, I peered in through the gap in the door and wished I could go in, never occured to me I could

    • Hi sue, How interesting it must be for your husband to see his history in the present day. I am interested to find out who owns the building now, would you or your husband have any contacts I could try? Thank you very much for your help!

  5. Sam Jackson, it was quite poignant. My husband is a motor engineer of the old school, working on classic and vintage vehicles, so a real family link with the metalwork.
    His 3x GGrandfather worked at the Cornish Works so it was a real link to the past.
    The last contact address was Woodware Repetitions Ltd., 47 Mowbray Street, Sheffield. S3 8EN. This business was set up by Fred Barnsley and his son Colin after they split from the family business. I understand that Colin is the one to contact.

  6. Hello, I am the great great grandaughter of William Barnsley Allen VC how amazing to see you Sue Allen…………….i think we are related somewhere along the line! I have a lovely book writen by Nurse Allen, Williams mother xx.

  7. I have just been in cornwall I went to a sale and spent some money on a lot it was a cobblers rule in boxwood with name George Barnsley Sheffield lovely made I have just put it on ebay for sale.

  8. I was the last person to work there doing over 25 years service, getting the last gold watch ever, for my services, unfortunately due to a bad accident at work in Jan 2003 the works closed it’s doors for good, thankfully I did a video of it as a working business after they made everyone redundant

  9. Nice website, and great images of the George Barnsley works. I did a lot of urban photography around Sheffield about 20 years ago. I’ve recently been going through my b&w archive and came across an image of this factory taken from the street. I’ve been trying to find the location, with little sucess until I found your site. I’m happy to let you have a copy (no charge!!) if you’re interested. Regards. http://www.franktomlinsonphotography.com

  10. I found a very rusty old hammer with s loose handle at a car boot in Hythe, Kent. I paid 50p I think.
    Anyway, off came the handle for sanding & oiling. Into a 12V electrolysis bath. Ran it for a good couple of hours.
    Now rust free I oiled the bare metal and noticed an old fashioned 3 on the side of the hammer.
    Then I realised what I’d been thinking of as a bent, possible run over by a truck, modern panel beating hammer a Google lens search turned up Plannishing Hammers by George Barnsley & Sons. This one is a No.3. And it’s not bent, it’s meant to be like that!
    What beautiful buildings and the light you captured on the inside! Stunning!
    Thank you!

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