Counterfeit Gillettes?

[wwoof]

I saw what looked to be a decent gold Gillette TTO adjustable on eBay and got it for $26 + shipping. It came from Israel in about 8 days and I couldn't wait to see it. When I finally got it unpacked (overpacked!) I looked at what seemed to be a BRAND NEW Gillette. It looked as if it had never been used. It is very glossy and beyond pristine. When I picked it up it felt a tad light---ah, a fake! Then I went in picked up an almost identical gold Gillette and the weights were nearly identical. The date code is extremely small and shows L4 and has all the same stampings as my worn Gillette.

Is there such as thing as counterfeits? This is remarkable as this is my 16th double edge razor and I've never seen anything like it.

 

[Goldtwins]

pictures

 

[Dustinl]

I saw what looked to be a decent gold Gillette TTO adjustable on eBay and got it for $26 + shipping. It came from Israel in about 8 days and I couldn't wait to see it. When I finally got it unpacked (overpacked!) I looked at what seemed to be a BRAND NEW Gillette. It looked as if it had never been used. It is very glossy and beyond pristine. When I picked it up it felt a tad light---ah, a fake! Then I went in picked up an almost identical gold Gillette and the weights were nearly identical. The date code is extremely small and shows L4 and has all the same stampings as my worn Gillette.

Is there such as thing as counterfeits? This is remarkable as this is my 16th double edge razor and I've never seen anything like it.

It may in fact just be an unused razor. Congratulations on the score! Post pics if you a chance. I scored a cased Gillette Aristocrat sometime back that I swear was never used. Not a scratch or blemish on it. You come across those from time to time.


DL

 

[mmack66]

I don't think anyone has the capacity to fake a Gillette razor, much less an adjustable TTO. It is either mint, or has been replated.

 

[wwoof]

A re-plate is a possibility. Could it be that prices "over there" just don't go to the same heights as "over here"?

 

[merwtje]

This is a L4 but not adjustable.
It is very light however

 

[Hoos]

If there were enough money to be made in faking vintage Gillettes, it would be done. Neither the market or prices, though, are enough to catch someone's eye (though with the recent prices on eBay, that could change). The counterfeiting of goods (whether new or vintage or antique) is a very big business in China - everything from ear rings to cookie jars to furniture. Date code size could be an indicator of something amiss, but I doubt it, too.

If the other stampings are the same (wording, location )and the fonts are the same as a comparable Gillette from the same period, I think you're fine.

People still find mint razors. While not a frequent occurrence, it's not impossible. So you may just be a really lucky razor guy!

Pics would help.

 

[wwoof]

I wonder if Gillette has looked at retooling for runs of collector razors? Not necessarily $19.95 but between $50 and a $100? Look at how many gorgeous fake watches are out there! Gillette could do some reissues and blow the bottom out of eBay.

 

[TSWebster]

Retooling from the ground up and then making razors from solid brass and plating them would be to expensive for Gillette to bother unfortunately.

 

[Luc]

Retooling from the ground up and then making razors from solid brass and plating them would be to expensive for Gillette to bother unfortunately.

+1

And it's a shame. Considering Merkur's prices...

 

[mmbcastle]

I found this thread because I came across what I thought was a very lucky buy. It's a NICE brass tuckaway razor in almost new condition. Then, I ran into some issues.

Suddenly, I've been seeing them in similar condition on eBay.

The serial number doesn't make sense. It doesn't on the one I'm currently watching on eBay either. They're too low. For the numbers thay have, they should be made in 1906, but mine is marked Pat...1920, others pending.

The thing is, if someone was wanting to make fakes, I wouldn't think this would be the target, unless it's an experiment before they make a fat boy or something.

Any ideas?

Perhaps someone just found a bunch of NOS, but that still doesn't explain the serial numbers.

 

[mr-razor]

nice find! It´s a NEW DeLuxe gold Norfolk Tuckaway style handle. From Oct.16 1930 to Feb 1931 the NEW Deluxe comes with serial number.

 

[MacDaddy]

Don't listen to Achim. He obviously doesn't know what he's talking about. That's absolutely a counterfeit that you've got your hands on there. Lucky for you I collect counterfeit Gillettes and would be happy to take it off your hands just so you can recoup your loss.



Sorry, couldn't do it. Yeah, what you've got is a nice NEW DeLuxe Norfolk set there -- NEW DeLuxe head and a Tuckaway-style handle. As Achim said, some NEW DeLuxes were serial numbered, even though Gillette stopped the standard use of serial numbers after the New Improved, but the DeLuxes restarted their own series of just numbers that doesn't match up with the number+letter series Gillette had used previously.

Also, I'd pay more for this set than a Fatboy any day of the week.

 

[Malakas1981]

Greek key around the edges ! Now that's sweet