ABC set cases

[ozzy_scl]

There's seems to be a lack of detailed information about American Button Company and its contribution to Gillette.
I have read (as pretty much we all know) that they worked for Gillette for several years, making razors and cases. And eventually those products started to be manufactured by Gillette company.

I have 3 ABC sets; 1 empire (date code 485....) which according to wiki's table should have been made in 1905
1 basquet wave (501) with date code d209... made in 1916.

Today I got the 3rd basquet wave case, but I'm missing the razor. And here comes the differences.

The closing mechanism is a button, instead of a latch, the case itself it thicker than the other 2, and also is missing the "ABC Pocket Edition" inscription on the back of the case.

Even the Gillette logo inside the case (the colours) is different.
Does this means, that this "thicker" sets, are the ones manufactured by Gillette company?

I know that those thicker cases are from some point in the early 20's.

Here are some pictures.
(sorry for the quality, but taken quickly before leaving to work)

 

[Oldguy]

The basket weave cases with the two rivet push button is the latest case I have seen. I have three of these cases and they all came with the Gillette ball end Old Type. There is a style between the two rivet push button and the latch. That case is also push button but has four rivets on the front and is not as thick as the later push button style. I have 7 cases like that and they all came with the ABC style handle and head. (the blade positioning bullet posts are shorter on the ABC razors). Also take a real close look at the serial number on your Empire razor. 1905 is too early for the ABC sets. Could the 4 be an A or could the first letter be so faint as to be nearly invisible.

Len

 

[ozzy_scl]

The basket weave cases with the two rivet push button is the latest case I have seen. I have three of these cases and they all came with the Gillette ball end Old Type. There is a style between the two rivet push button and the latch. That case is also push button but has four rivets on the front and is not as thick as the later push button style. I have 7 cases like that and they all came with the ABC style handle and head. (the blade positioning bullet posts are shorter on the ABC razors). Also take a real close look at the serial number on your Empire razor. 1905 is too early for the ABC sets. Could the 4 be an A or could the first letter be so faint as to be nearly invisible.

Len

At first I thought it was an A, but then I got confused, because is not as narrow as the one on mr-razor's site. (but it could be an A anyway)
Is very hard to tell, even with a magnifying glass.
This is the closest I could get to it.

But now that I look closely, it kind of looks like an A

 

[Oldguy]

OK. It has to be an A. Gillette turned over their numbers when they hit 999999.

Len