English Gillette DE - What do I have here?

[Trawlerman]

I picked up an older Gillette Open-Comb DE last week.

It was made in England according the makers stamp. I've had a good look around but there is no serial number or any other marks that identify the model or age of this.

As you can see from the images, this particular little DE has seen quite a lot of use.

Interestingly enough, this was bundled in with an original Brown Bakelite case for an Ever-Ready SE. So I'm assuming that the original owner replaced this Gillette with the SE?

Any further information on this particular razor would be appreciated.

 

[Greybeard]

I haven't seen that handle before, but the head is a variation of the Gillette New. It's the same as was issued to British service men during WW II. Gillette had a history of using up whatever parts they had in inventory. Here's a link to a picture of a similar one from Mr. Razor's site.

http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/The NEW/1946 (R2 on blade) NEW England.JPG

 

[Trawlerman]

Thanks for the reply on this Peter.

I'm guessing that this 'New' is not that old or really worth much when compared to others out there?

FWIW I have shaved with this, just the once and got a really close shave. I think I will keep my eyes peeled for a better example though.

 

[Greybeard]

Thanks for the reply on this Peter.

I'm guessing that this 'New' is not that old or really worth much when compared to others out there?

FWIW I have shaved with this, just the once and got a really close shave. I think I will keep my eyes peeled for a better example though.

For sure it's from some time in the 1940's. A lot of them after the war were mix and match with handles that Gillette had in inventory. Surprisingly, since there must have been quite a few produced and issued to troops, I haven't seen a lot of them come up for sale. So I have no idea as to price, although I suspect it would be at the lower end of the range. I have one that was British army issue from 1943 that I got in a lot. It's similar to the one in Mr. Razor's picture. I find it a mild shaver, similar to the standard New.

 

[gearchow]

Good eye on finding a match!

Pretty cool design with the short stub of alignment bars next to the pins. May or may not be worth a lot, but definitely worth keeping in my book. Now if you had the bakelite case...

-jim

 

[grump]

Nice find. That is the first one I have seen.

Are they common in your area?