I got these two rockets today. Thanks to a member here on B&B. The post played with it for weeks. It took a month plus to arrive but Im happy. I didnt have any Rockets. Now I have two.
HD 500 and Flare Tip.
HD 500 and Flare Tip.
Congrates both beautiful razors. The razor you ID as an HD500 is instead a "Parat". Still a great razor. Here are mine for your comparison.The Parat (Red case) was made in Germany and has a smooth collar at the top of the handle. The HD500 (Blue case) made in England and has a notched collar at the top of the handle. BTW the other razor is a Flair Tip (aka Rocket) and there are 7 different verisons of the British Flair Tip (including yours). Rockets can be very confusing. Note: Razor's 4 & 6 are the same (Rhodium handle) but appear in two seperate razor sets.I got these two rockets today. Thanks to a member here on B&B. The post played with it for weeks. It took a month plus to arrive but Im happy. I didnt have any Rockets. Now I have two.
HD 500 and Flare Tip.
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I recently purchased a razor that looks exactly like the "Parat" that you ID in your post (I mean, exactly). However, mine is stamped "MADE IN ENGLAND" on the underside of the baseplate. It is also stamped with "BRIT.PAT." and "694093" on the topside of the baseplate. It weighs 62 grams. Any idea what mine is? I had placed it as a late 1950s British Rocket or possibly an Aristocrat Jr. I'm guessing though.Congrates both beautiful razors. The razor you I'd as an HD500 is instead a "Parat". Still a great razor. The Parat (Red case) was made in Germany and has a smooth collar at the top of the handle. The HD500 (Blue case) made in England and has a notched collar at the top of the handle. Here are both of mine for your review. BTW the other razor is a Flair Tip (aka Rocket) and there are 7 different verisons of the British Flair Tip (including yours). Rockets can be very confusing.
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Here comes the confusion. I'd have to say it's a Parat because it's marked "Brit. Pat" 694093 in the blade tray. Mine is marked upper blade tray "Brit.Pat 694093, weight 61.7g and underside made in England on the right and Gillette logo lower left. However it's different in that its also marked with a with a "II" on the underside plate near the handle. The "II" denotes a medium shave. The Blue Tip's are marked with a "I" denoting light shave and the Red Tip's a "III" denoting "heavy". Does your have that the "II"? OK now to throw more confusion in this matter. The original "Rocket" some times made in Canada looks exactly like the Parat but comes in a different Red Case marked "ROCKET" and has a different marking in the upper blade tray "Patent Pending" It's also marked "Made in England on the lower right with a Gillette logo on the underside left but not I II or III. Weight 63.4g. OF NOTE: The HD500 was also made in an all bright Aluminum model (I have) and also a "Gold Anodized" finish model also all Aluminum (Set 52A) which I do have. It weights only 29.6g. So the Red case below is the original "Rocket and the Blue case is the anodized HD500 style.
I think that will be the English 62' Rocket mg, as pictured here.I recently purchased a razor that looks exactly like the "Parat" that you ID in your post (I mean, exactly). However, mine is stamped "MADE IN ENGLAND" on the underside of the baseplate. It is also stamped with "BRIT.PAT." and "694093" on the topside of the baseplate. It weighs 62 grams. Any idea what mine is? I had placed it as a late 1950s British Rocket or possibly an Aristocrat Jr. I'm guessing though.
By the way, I also have a cased British Rocket HD500 like the other one in your post. It is a superb shaving machine; one of my favorites.
@preidy thank you so much for your input. My razor DOES have the "II" marking on the baseplate as you indicate. So, a Parat may have been in the cards (and perhaps still is). Brother @Alum Ladd has kept the mystery running, however, with his very adept find in the deep well of mr-razor's website. Simon, how to you always manage to see things there that I miss ? I found my example of the Parat/Set 54A at an estate sale without a case or blades, so no clues from those accoutrements. If the Set 54A were made in 1961 rather than 1962, I would assign that moniker just to give myself another birth year razor . I will consider the case sufficiently narrowed to be "closed." Thank you gents!I think that will be the English 62' Rocket mg, as pictured here.
Very reminiscent of a classic Super Speed. Not a flare tip, interesting for 1962.
Any idea what mine is? I had placed it as a late 1950s British Rocket or possibly an Aristocrat Jr.
Thank you for the information! My TTO knob "feels" like it is the same diameter as the handle. However, I have a micrometer, so I measured and discovered that the diameter of the TTO knob is 0.0045" (0.011 mm) larger than the handle. The knurling on the TTO knob is slightly heavier than on the handle also, which could account for the difference. After measuring, I'm still left wondering my the diamter of my TTO knob is the "same" or "larger" than the handle. The image that Simon found on mr-razor appears to show the "same" diameter TTO and handle on the British Set No. 54A.Easiest way to quickly ID a Parat is that the TTO knob is the same diameter as the handle where the Rocket is just slightly larger, best checked with the knob turned in all the way.
430,030 -- now that's an Aristocrat Junior, superior to a Rocket in my book.My Rocket has a larger diameter TTO knob. It's obvious. We are not talking about a tiny amount. Easy to see.
It's marked Made in England, Gillette logo, Brit Pat, and NO 430030. This pat number I'm not finding this anywhere.
Also there are no stamps or marking of any kind on the top of the base plate/inside. It does have a smooth neck and gap when closed at the TTO knob
So you're saying it's not a Rocket? It's an aristocrat Junior?430,030 -- now that's an Aristocrat Junior, superior to a Rocket in my book.
Heavy, flat bottom head, super shaver ... Congrats!
Thats cheeky of Gillette UK back in '49 still using the 430030 patent number!
I must say it does look just like this one. Notched center bar and all.