Antique brush ID help!

[VintageGent]

I found this old shaving brush while going through a box of recently acquired family items, to add to the genealogy archive I’ve been “re-collecting” from scattered relatives over the years. (I have the honor of being the “official” family historian, so I am often lucky to get first dibs on orphaned photos, documents, & momentos).

Obviously, antique shaving kit popped out to me, personally! I have a good suspicion who the original owner was (he lived 1866-1943), but it was in a box of momentos that had items from two sides of the family, so I can’t be 100% certain.

But, I haven’t yet been able to google my way into any sort of ID for this brush handle, or a date more precise than just going by style alone. I am doubtful whether the box is original to this brush, as I haven’t found anything similar online searching for Rubberset (any Rubberset experts here?).

It may be a locally manufactured item that was retired to the Rubberset box when replaced by a new Rubberset brush? Or could it be an early Albright model? There are no markings on the handle.

It is VERY heavy, so I believe the handle is cast pewter with a high percentage of lead; (I’ve catfished on the Mississippi River with lead weights lighter than this brush handle!). It shows traces of perhaps a gold wash.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

[HazMat Shaver]

It looks like it was a very fancy Rubberset brush but you could be right about it being put in a different box. Some of the rubber or glue has seeped out and up the bristles a bit. Boar hair. Looking at the box I bet you right that it's solid. Maybe just try to polish the bottom first to see how it reacts to polish before doing anything. If it takes a nice polish then drill it out and replace the knot.

It's very cool. A nice one to add to a collection of dust catchers if nothing else.

 

[VintageGent]

It looks like it was a very fancy Rubberset brush but you could be right about it being put in a different box. Some of the rubber or glue has seeped out and up the bristles a bit. Boar hair. Looking at the box I bet you right that it's solid. Maybe just try to polish the bottom first to see how it reacts to polish before doing anything. If it takes a nice polish then drill it out and replace the knot.

It's very cool. A nice one to add to a collection of dust catchers if nothing else.

Thank you, @HazMat Shaver!

 

[VintageGent]

*UPDATE* - Good news/ bad news. The question of how or whether to clean/restore/leave alone this brush was answered when, while handing it to inspect and measure it, the knot simply fell apart and came out of the handle.

So refurbish, it is! I’ve read that getting the knot out is the hard part, so I guess I am lucky there. I also answered the “is it a rubberset” question, as it definitely appears to have been a hide-type glue, crystalized into a dark amber resin.

After cleaning out the handle, the opening is JUST barely 20mm, but it opens up as it gets deeper (the handle is a hollow cast, with an extra thick base), so I think I have wiggle room to open it up a smidge for a 20mm knot.

Now the question: badger, boar, or synth? Synthetic might hold up longer for posterity (since this is an ancestor’s brush to be preserved). But badger or boar would be more appropriate for this vintage. And I don’t have a badger brush…. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[RazorDragon]

Get a realistic looking synthetic like the G3D

 

[VintageGent]

Thanks, that’s the way I’ve been leaning (realistic-looking synthetic). Especially since I subsequently found a good deal on an older Simpson best badger, I have that base covered.

 

[RazorDragon]

Post a photo when it’s finished

 

[BigJ]

Synthetic would likely last longer but boar is probably what the brush had originally (so that would be my preference). Definitely worth restoring IMO!!

 

[RazorDragon]

You could consider a synthetic Boar but the top synthetic badgers are better in my opinion

 

[Borderboss]

Based on your photos of the mouth of the brush, I would use a Dremel to open up that mouth a little so you can get a 20mm brush in there and epoxy it effectively. An 18mm brush will be small and require a lot of epoxy to hold it in.

 

[VintageGent]

Thanks, all. After cleaning up the inside of the brush, there is ample room for a 20mm knot. As the casting is a bit uneven at the opening - and the shape opens up the deeper you go - all I should need to is take a bit off the top to level it off, and that will open it up all I need. So, I won’t have to worry about thinning the metal on the opening. If anything, filing the top down a pinch will get me into thicker metal.

Were I doing a historically accurate restoration, I would certainly stay with real boar! However, as this will end up back in the family archives after I’m gone, I think synthetic is a safer choice, long term.

One thing I’ve learned doing genealogy: few people share my passion for old stuff from the long dead. I wouldn’t want some descendant 100 years from now throwing out this brush because she’s grossed out by bristles from a hog that died a century before!

 

[RazorDragon]

Good choice and good reasoning

 

[VintageGent]

*UPDATE* - I finally got a new knot set. I used a Maggard’s 20mm knot, and just had to open up the inside a pinch with a dremel. I’m pleased with the result.

We’ll let it cure a few days, then take great-grandpa’s brush for a spin. I thought a lather catcher would be appropriate.

 

[Big Jim]

Looks great. I have my grandfathers brush that I reknotted and I think that makes it extra special.

 

[Blade4vor]

Your brush looks great! Congrats on an heirloom that you can use

 

[VintageGent]

Thanks! Cant wait to use it.

 

[aussietanker]

That's awesome. How beautiful. Well done on changing out the knot.