Metal Merchant

[Ewan]

Is there anyone that can clarify the occupation of Metal Merchant please, it is on a certificate in the early 1870s from Birmingham. I am thinking along the lines of a scrap merchant.
Thank you
Ewan

 

[GER22VAN]

I have a similar case in 1896 of an iron merchant, I have not had any luck in finding anything else and assumed it may have meant Rag and Bone man although his son was a general dealer forty years later. I guess it is anyone's guess if the name cannot be found in records of the time.

 

[BernardR]

I not know for certain but would think more likely they were dealers in metal. A scrap iron man would probably not be referred to as a merchant. One thing is for certain though someone on here will know.

 

[33bus]

Hi Ewen I think Bernie was right when I worked in my fathers foundry he used to see metal salesmen all from different metal merchants who used to buy the metals in bulk and sell it in quantities that you required at a profit of cause cheers Tom

 

[Ewan]

Thanks for all your comments, it looks like it isn't connected to electro plating or jeweller in any way then really.
Ewan

 

[Ann B]

A metal merchant would surely sell metal to the metal goods manufacturers, who would make the product (spoon, forks, etc.), which would then go to the electro platers. There were many electro platers in Deritend and Bordesley. Still are a few.
I have metal brokers in my tree.

Ann

 

[Phil]

Ewan

I think Metal Merchants would have processed and manufactured different metals and alloys. Then sold them on to the different metal trades.

A Scrap Metal Merchant, I don't think needs much explanation they would buy in scrap metals from various sources and the sell it on to the Metal Merchants processors.

Phil

 

[Ewan]

Thank you Ann and Phil for your suggestions as well, the man to whom this occupation is related to was in the button making industry previous to the 1870 information. I have luckily a contact from the IGI of a person who is also interested in this family, so in due course I will be able to get more information about the occupations of the man then.
Thanks again
Ewan

 

[teffen]

My Grandad started his business as an Iron Merchant in 1940. I know he was using horses and carts and he and my Dad were out "Totting" - "Any old iron" until 1945 when he got his own yard and became a Scrap Metal merchant, buying in all types of metal and storing it until the price went up.
In 1952 he opened a second yard and that yard became Iron, Steel and Scrap merchant, though the original yard was still the same.
I was born 1945, and on my birth cert my Dad's occupation is "Walker".
teffen. (Steffen)