A unique single ring

[Aussieshaver]

Hi guys,

I think I may have a fairly unique single ring and wanted your opinion.

Thanks to GentsInstinct who pointed this out. I thought I had a standard single ring (http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old%20T...pe 460-B.JPG).

That set on Achim's site has the Gillette logo actually printed inside the case lid. Your set, the little Gillette patch inside the lid is what caught my eye. The only other Gillette razors I've seen the patch used with are the ornate Gillette pocket sets like this one that were made by American Button Company under contract to Gillette from 1909 to about 1920. Around 1920, Gillette started making the pocket themselves but changed the patch to where it said "Made in USA" above the Gillette diamond logo. As the patch on your single ring set doesn't have "Made in USA" on it, that means it was made by American Button Company.. or at least the patch was. Maybe someone added the patch themselves somewhere along in time. If the razor set is made by ABC though, you've definitely got something rare and unknown before.

Also, the addresses on the bottom also make it interesting.

When the contract was over and Gillette started making the pocket sets themselves, they did away with the countries and patent dates on the bottom. That leads me further to believe your set was made by ABC for Gillette and not made by Gillette themselves. If that's the case, you definitely have a unique and rare item as the only razors known to be made by ABC were the pocket sets.

So based on that patch and the patent dates being on the bottom, one thing I'm almost sure of is that at least the case was made by ABC. The razor could also be made by ABC but most likey ABC shipped the cases to Gillette and Gillette put the razors in them.

Here is the razor/case:

 

[GentsInstinct]

I think I was wrong about that second paragraph you quoted me. I see from Achim's set that the countries and patents are on the bottom and that wasn't an ABC set.

But that patch in the lid screams ABC.

Also that 3rd picture, with the close up of the inner lid is a new photo I haven't seen. I can make out Made In England and what appears to maybe be a crown in the center?

All I know is it's the first non-ABC pocket set I've seen with the same ABC set patch.

 

[Aussieshaver]

Yep, it does say Made in England on the lid and there is a coat of arms.

 

[GentsInstinct]

Yours is a 1917 I believe you said? So is the one on Achim's site which is also made in England, but his case is definitely different. His has the Gillette diamond logo printed on the lining of the lid where as yours has a Gillette patch and the remnants of what appear to be a crown and MADE IN ENGLAND.

 

[GentsInstinct]

Yep, it does say Made in England on the lid and there is a coat of arms.

Coat of Arms makes more sense. I was thinking I saw a crown in the middle. lol!

And that brings me to another interesting thing.. when's the last time you saw a gillette set with a coat of arms?

 

[Aussieshaver]

Yours is a 1917 I believe you said? So is the one on Achim's site which is also made in England, but his case is definitely different. His has the Gillette diamond logo printed on the lining of the lid where as yours has a Gillette patch and the remnants of what appear to be a crown and MADE IN ENGLAND.

There is actually no stamps on the razor other than the code FO21974 on the centre section of the razor just near the teeth. The razor itself doesnt actually say it is a gillette - I assumed it was based on the box. I guess it might be possible that it isnt a gillette razor?

 

[GentsInstinct]

There is actually no stamps on the razor other than the code FO21974 on the centre section of the razor just near the teeth. The razor itself doesnt actually say it is a gillette - I assumed it was based on the box. I guess it might be possible that it isnt a gillette razor?

F would make it 1918 if it is a Gillette, and I'd assume Gillette razors from 1918 would have the name, logo or patent date on it somewhere. I could be wrong though. I've seen stranger things. The 1918's I see on Achim's site have the diamond logo on them on the bottom of the comb head.

 

[Aussieshaver]

F would make it 1918 if it is a Gillette, and I'd assume Gillette razors from 1918 would have the name, logo or patent date on it somewhere. I could be wrong though. I've seen stranger things. The 1918's I see on Achim's site have the diamond logo on them on the bottom of the comb head.

The description for the 1909 'standard set' says that there is no "made in" and no "trademark" logos on that razor so I can imagine that they might have carried that over to the 1918 razor.

http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old Type/1909 Standard Set.JPG

 

[johnmrson]

Where is the date code? Is it on the comb plate of the screw in handle?

I've seen lots of stange cases. It seems that as they got to the end of production runs they made up sets using bits and pieces that they had on hand at the time.

 

[Aussieshaver]

Where is the date code? Is it on the comb plate of the screw in handle?

On the comb plate - in the exact same position as this one: http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old Type/1909 Standard Set.JPG

 

[GentsInstinct]

The description for the 1909 'standard set' says that there is no "made in" and no "trademark" logos on that razor so I can imagine that they might have carried that over to the 1918 razor.

http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old Type/1909 Standard Set.JPG

I don't think 9 years later, that would be the case. All of the other 1918 razors on Achim's site show logos and/or other stamps on them, I don't see why yours wouldn't.. but again, this is Gillette.. anything's possible.

 

[Aussieshaver]

I don't think 9 years later, that would be the case. All of the other 1918 razors on Achim's site show logos and/or other stamps on them, I don't see why yours wouldn't.. but again, this is Gillette.. anything's possible.

I will try and take a photo tonight of the date stamp on the razor - that might give a better idea.