Antique store finds..

[fleshdunce]

Hit up two local antique shops today and came across two different razors. The first is an Ever Ready 1912 model I think. Came with a case, no brassing, looks to be in very good shape. Can anyone confirm my guess?

The second find is an older model Gillette razor. It also came in a nice looking case, though unfortunately after buying it I realized it was missing one of the middle pieces of the handle. Interestingly though, when you look at the top of the head of the razor it says "Millville National Bank Millville, NJ" So although it looks like it wont be functional, I guess that a bank from around my area must have sold these many years ago?

 

[tom myers]

The first razor, the Ever-Ready, isn't a 1912 model. It is a later model with the front hinged cap. I'm not sure what the proper model name is for this razor, but it is the only model with the front hinge. They usually say "patent applied for" without a date inside the cover. It seems likely that it was first marketed in late 1919 or early 1920. Your razor appears to be a very nice speciman. It has the ornate handle which is the nicest version that I'm aware of, and the case looks to be in relatively good condition also.

The Gillette is, as you've noted, missing the tube to the handle. This was likely severly cracked and someone, over the years, simply threw it away. Cracks in these tubes were very common. As far as the bank that had it's name on the razor, I doubt that they sold them . . . I suspect they gave them away to customers. Such advertising gift Gillettes, and some other makes of razors, were rather popular. Again, the case appears rather nice. You may, one day, find a relative "junker" with, perhaps, broken teeth or some other problem with the head, from which you can salvage the handle.

Regards,
Tom

 

[D.Irving79]

the ER is a 1924 model.

 

[tom myers]

the ER is a 1924 model.

Dave, if this is the 1924 model, what is the one that hinges at the back, says "lift here" at the edges and is marked "Patented 24/14"?

I never could figure out what "24/14" meant unless, perhaps, it meant that there were applicable patents from 1914 and 1924.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Straight Arrow]

Interestingly though, when you look at the top of the head of the razor it says "Millville National Bank Millville, NJ"

Point of interest...The glass Old Spice shaving mugs were manufactured in Millville, NJ.

 

[DSB]

Other than the missing piece of the handle, those razors and cases appear to be in very good shape.

 

[D.Irving79]

Dave, if this is the 1924 model, what is the one that hinges at the back, says "lift here" at the edges and is marked "Patented 24/14"?

I never could figure out what "24/14" meant unless, perhaps, it meant that there were applicable patents from 1914 and 1924.

Regards,
Tom

the one you mention was pat. march 24, 1914, but i never saw an ad earlier than 1917 for one, considering they were still making lather catchers in 1914.

 

[tom myers]

the one you mention was pat. march 24, 1914, but i never saw an ad earlier than 1917 for one, considering they were still making lather catchers in 1914.

Dave, I guess I need to get my eyes checked. The one I was asking about does, in fact, say "patented March 24/14". Actually, this one does have the small lather catcher, similar to the 1912 model, whereas the one with the front hinge design had no such recess for the lather. This would kind of lead you to suspect that it was a newer design. If you say this front hinged razor is a 1924 model, that sounds good to me.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[fleshdunce]

Thanks for the replies, so it would seem that the Ever-ready is a 1924 model? Still very cool as it does seem to be in great condition!

Good suggestion on looking for another razor in not so great condition to find a replacement for the missing handle..

That would be a Gillette NEW right? Thats what it seems like to me from the wiki.

 

[Slade xTekno]

The open-comb DE looks more like an Old-Type to me.

 

[tom myers]

Good suggestion on looking for another razor in not so great condition to find a replacement for the missing handle..

That would be a Gillette NEW right? Thats what it seems like to me from the wiki.

As Slade xTekno mentioned, your Gillette is a ball end handled Old Type. The New Gillette does not have the blade locating studs, but instead has the bar on the underside of the cap and a matching groove in the comb piece.

Regards,
Tom

 

[fleshdunce]

Again, thanks a bunch for the helpful replies...and now that I look at the two different kinds I can clearly see that it is a Gillette Old Type.

Now to keep an eye out for a Gillette Old Type handle...

 

[luvmysuper]

I thought that I read somewhere in a post by cooncatbob (of bob's razor works) that you can use a piece of tubing as a very acceptable handle for this razor till you can find a replacement.

I could be mistaken, as I can't seem to find it right now, but should be easy enough to take one of the end pieces along with you to a hardware store to find the right size.

 

[fleshdunce]

Interesting idea...sounds very practical and cheap for the time being. Will look into that as the condition of the razor seems to be good overall other then the missing handle.