Found Papou's Vintage Gillette DE Razor!

[SpEe1113]

Was cleaning out some things around my house when I came across my Papou's (grandfather's) old Gillette razor! I clearly remember watching him shave with it when I was a kid. Super thrilled to have found it!!! It was in pretty bad shape but I'm working on restoring it, will probably frame it in a shadow box and hang in my shave den.


Any help identifying it is greatly appreciated for the plaque I'd like to add to the frame. I believe I remember him saying it was issued to him by the US military when he served in WWII, amazing part is that he used this razor all his life until he passed in the late 90s (In case anyone doubts the longevity of a good DE razor!). It says "Pat. Nov 1504" near the bottom of the handle. This really brings everything full circle for me as this memory was part of my passion to get into DE shaving. I believe it is an early 1900s Gillette Tech razor, but any other info is greatly appreciated. Here are some pics, before I cleaned it and after...also, any tips on cleaning this to get a shine?

 

[Maxime D.]

It is an Old Type Ball-End from the 20's. Usually their handle is cracked open, yours seems to be in good shape.
They are great shavers The black color indicate that this razor was silver plated, you could use the Sodium Bicarbonate method to clean the remaining black ?
You need a glass bowl, an aluminum foil, some Arm and hammer and boiled water. You put the foil in the bowl, put the razor on it, drop a good amount of Arm & Hammer on it and immerse the razor with the boiling water.
Also, you could polish it with some Mother's Metal Polish.

Alternative option: You send it to be replated, there is a lot of good Platesmith (I've a patent on this word lol) around here.

 

[rxonmymind]

Awesome man. Awesome. Congrats! Something from your family is always to be cherished.

 

[SpEe1113]

It is an Old Type Ball-End from the 20's. Usually their handle is cracked open, yours seems to be in good shape.
They are great shavers The black color indicate that this razor was silver plated, you could use the Sodium Bicarbonate method to clean the remaining black ?
You need a glass bowl, an aluminum foil, some Arm and hammer and boiled water. You put the foil in the bowl, put the razor on it, drop a good amount of Arm & Hammer on it and immerse the razor with the boiling water.
Also, you could polish it with some Mother's Metal Polish.

Alternative option: You send it to be replated, there is a lot of good Platesmith (I've a patent on this word lol) around here.

Thanks for the tips! I'll have to try that out and repost some pics one its all polished up!

 

[SpEe1113]

Thanks! It definitely has some sentimental value for sure. I hope to keep the tradition alive and this may just be the piece to pass from generation to generation.

 

[Chadao]

Memories are one of the coolest things about this hobby. We have them AND we make them.

 

[Mick]

Nice find. Always good to have something that carries back.

You should use it. Old type is a nice shaving razor. You will enjoy it.

 

[Viseguy]

Congrats on finding a piece of your family history! I'm impressed that your grandfather remained devoted to his Old Type all through his life and wasn't lured away by cart razors. I hope you allow yourself the pleasure of shaving with it at least once before putting it on permanent display.

 

[alex2363]

It is an Old Type Ball-End from the 20's. Usually their handle is cracked open, yours seems to be in good shape.
They are great shavers The black color indicate that this razor was silver plated, you could use the Sodium Bicarbonate method to clean the remaining black ?
You need a glass bowl, an aluminum foil, some Arm and hammer and boiled water. You put the foil in the bowl, put the razor on it, drop a good amount of Arm & Hammer on it and immerse the razor with the boiling water.
Also, you could polish it with some Mother's Metal Polish.

Alternative option: You send it to be replated, there is a lot of good Platesmith (I've a patent on this word lol) around here.

You mean Trademark--A trademark is a word, name, symbol or device which is used in trade with goods indicate source of goods an distinguish them from the goods of others.

A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the Patent and Trademark Office.

 

[SpEe1113]

It is an Old Type Ball-End from the 20's. Usually their handle is cracked open, yours seems to be in good shape.
They are great shavers The black color indicate that this razor was silver plated, you could use the Sodium Bicarbonate method to clean the remaining black ?
You need a glass bowl, an aluminum foil, some Arm and hammer and boiled water. You put the foil in the bowl, put the razor on it, drop a good amount of Arm & Hammer on it and immerse the razor with the boiling water.
Also, you could polish it with some Mother's Metal Polish.

Alternative option: You send it to be replated, there is a lot of good Platesmith (I've a patent on this word lol) around here.

i gotta thank you again for the tip on the silver polish!!! It literally looks like a completely NEW razor! Tons of tarnish still probably on it but wow was it dirty! As you can tell by the pics below, it has come a loooooooong way! Thanks again!

 

[BubblesTGB]

Nice razor and even nicer that you have a piece of family history.

 

[james23p]

Really nice find we used to call my greatgrandfather Papou and I wish I had his razors since he was born in the late 1800's 1897 I think he passed in the 80's.

Great find and enjoy your family history, plus nice work on the razor it looks great for almost 100 years old.

Jim

 

[BubblesTGB]

What is the origin of Papou? I know some people in Louisiana call their grandfather papaw or papow? But the ou at the end almost indicates Greek? I'm polish and my grandfather was dziadziu (jah-Jew)

 

[james23p]

Papou is Greek for Grandfather its just we called my Grandfather Grandpa John so my Great Grandfather was Papou. Yia Yia is Grandmother in Greek and yes my Great Grandmother was called Yia Yia Suzy and my Grandmother was called Grandma Reta.

Not sure why I told all that but hey its 0300 and I'm up.

Jim

 

[Lamboy]

Papou is Greek for Grandfather its just we called my Grandfather Grandpa John so my Great Grandfather was Papou. Yia Yia is Grandmother in Greek and yes my Great Grandmother was called Yia Yia Suzy and my Grandmother was called Grandma Reta.

Not sure why I told all that but hey its 0300 and I'm up.

Jim

Interesting what different cultures call their elders. In my Family we call my grandpa Papa Jose and grandmother Mama Perly. Maybe it is a spanish thing.

 

[SpEe1113]

Papou is Greek for Grandfather... Yia Yia is Grandmother in Greek.

+1

 

[SpEe1113]

Interesting what different cultures call their elders. In my Family we call my grandpa Papa Jose and grandmother Mama Perly. Maybe it is a spanish thing.

Funny you say that, my wife is Hispanic and they call her grandparents Papa _______ and Mama _________. I wasn't sure if that was purely cultural or what but once again these forums provide a wealth of info! Very interesting.

 

[Kostas_Greece]

Ask me !! I am Greek

SpEe1113 are you Greek as well ?

I suppose pappous fought for US Army in WWII .My pappous fought the Nazis in WWII here in Greece, and lived to tell about it.


So, cherish this awesome piece of history and pay tribute to your grandfather remembering him every day.

Good day

 

[james23p]

Grew up in Queens NY where our whole neighborhood was Greek. Now I live in Memphis TN but we have a fairly large Greek community here and Greek festival is always a huge hit, they love Greek food!

Jim

PS My Popou fought in WW1 in France if I remember correctly he was a straight razor man.

 

[Lamboy]

Funny you say that, my wife is Hispanic and they call her grandparents Papa _______ and Mama _________. I wasn't sure if that was purely cultural or what but once again these forums provide a wealth of info! Very interesting.

Haha there you go.