Any way to date an OLD?

[stewartu]

I've got two old type Gillettes. One with the companion blade box and one without. Neither of these two have date codes. Is there any way to date them? Generally, when would they have been manufactured?

I also have TTO open-comb Aristocrat in gold that has no date codes. When would it have been made?

Thanks guys.

 

[BBrad]

Well, you could start by making small talk and then asking her out for coffee . . .

I assume you are asking about the Pocket-Style Old-Type, since the standard Single-Ring has a serial number.

Once the New Improved series came out in 1921, Gillette continued to produce Old-Type Pocket style razors, which were sold at a much lower price than the "New Improved" razors. In some cases, these low-cost units were produced as advertising (giveaway) premiums.

None of the OT from this era have serial numbers, so exact dating is not possible. They also do not have the 1904 patent stated on the handle. These razors do mark the beginning of Gillette's marketing strategy of selling the razor at a low price (or give it away "free") in order to create a continued market for highly profitable blade sales.