Check out my first score

[lungho]

I was out on a call today at work when I saw 3 antique stores right next to each other. I decided to stop check em all out. The last store I went into had this lil gem lock in a cabinet in the back. I paid close to nothing for it. From what Mr. Razor tells me, this is a 1934 Gillette Criterion DeLuxe Gold. The razor is obviously used and a bit worn, the blades are still factory sealed. The outside of the box is actually black, not purple. Had some trouble taking good pics, so I changed backgrounds for pics 2-4.

Can't wait to clean this baby up. Just thought I would share my first non-ebay find with you guys.

***UPDATE***
I've spent the last two days cleaning this thing. Removing the tarnish and grime revealed little more brassing on the handle than I'd like to see, but the diamond pattern is still somewhat plated.....kinda gives it a two-tone look. I'm torn between replating it, which will destroying the value, and keeping it original. Overall, I'm please at how it came out.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

Excellent find! I recently found a Belmont (same razor, but in case like the Bostonian set) at an antique shop. I paid more than I'd like for it, but it is a superb shaver. Be sure to post some photos after you clean it up.

 

[filedog]

You're lucky, I don't think we even HAVE any antique shops here.
I've looked thru MOUNDS of juck to satisfy my other interests, vintage watches and 70's Japanese audio gear. Only found a couple decent scores in town, rest was ebay.

 

[buddydog]

Nice...You are going to love shaving with that.

 

[nemo]

Cool find, ya done good! Enjoy that first shave with it.

 

[johnmrson]

Good find. So far my antique store experience has only been that they want to sell me some expensive brown furniture.

 

[pal]

Very good!

 

[JoshD]

Nice one. Go out and catch some more!

JoshD

 

[beginish]

Oh. My.

Congrats on the great pick up.

 

[Copierguy]

Great looking set......must post more pics when it's shiney....

 

[Batman]

Nice shnagg.....

 

[agent005]

Great find.........my antique store finds are usually ceramic cookie jars

 

[BIGACONCEPT]

Very nice indeed Looking forward to see it cleaned up !

 

[lungho]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm currently working on the cleanup. I'll post some pics when I'm done.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

To quote Napoleon Dynamite---"Luckeeee." Nice find!

 

[calcustom]

Very nice!
Grats!

 

[Greyfox]

Excellent pickup!

 

[tomviolence]

Very nice - I like the weight and feel of the NEW series. I wonder about how the serial numbers work, the date code wiki does not show serial numbers after the NEW 1929-40's, which end in "C". This razor and the criterion on Mr Razor's page have serial numbers with no end letters. Any info on this ?

I also learned the bar is the difference, as looking at the knurling, it looked the same as my 1922 NEW. Always nice to learn a new bit of Gillette identifying info.

 

[bob.e]

If you really like the razor's shave re-plating is somewhat expensive but not unrealistically so, the value of the razor is not life changing, so re-plating it is not like painting over a Monet

 

[Iakona]

Sorry to bump an oldish thread - bored.
I didn't see a lot of other people weigh in on the plating thing, but I guess it comes down to your mindset. I'm not much of a collector myself, I'd rather have a nice looking razor to shave with. That said, I'd definitely replate it. Now I'm curious, anyone want to weigh in on its value as it is now and the cost of replating?