Gillette or Fake Gillette?

[Slivovitz]

The razor pictured below was one of a lot of four, bought for $28 shipped. The seller described it as an unknown make.

There is a date code on the shaft of the tightening knob, B476948, which would fit the Gillette numbering scheme and put it at 1910. The main piece at the right has "PAT NOV 15 '04 around the bottom.

What it does not have is the Gillette logo, or "made in <country>" anywhere on it. Did some of the earlier Gillettes not have the logo, or is this just a fake?

I kind of like it, regardless. Was almost black when I got it, with a very rusted old blade in it. Still needs a little more polish, perhaps, but it's getting there.

BTW, the other razors in the lot included a blemished, but shave grade E1 Blue Tip, a short comb New that looks very nice despite some plating loss, and a very beat up G1 injector.

 

[Blondie]

That appears to be a Gillette Single Ring Old Type, in Sterling. There is a post with directions on a way to remove the Tarnish with baking soda and aluminum foil. They are great razors, a bit on the aggressive side.

 

[ctakim]

Early single ring old type. They lacked any imprint on the underside of the head, i.e., no Gillette logo anywhere. But you got the real deal! Nice!

 

[Pike]

Great shavers! You just have to get used to the angle for the Old...Flat like a SE...Try it!!

 

[Haiku]

Careful: it's not sterling. It's silver plated only. It's a heavy plate, but it's plated.

If you get too aggressive about polishing it, you'll polish the silver right off. The baking soda and aluminum method is the safest.

 

[Slivovitz]

Careful: it's not sterling. It's silver plated only. It's a heavy plate, but it's plated.

If you get too aggressive about polishing it, you'll polish the silver right off. The baking soda and aluminum method is the safest.

Thanks, I won't push my luck. The baking soda and aluminum foil got most of it, and a little Maas got the remaining black spots. It looks very nice now, so I won't worry about making it look literally new. It's good to know that it's genuine, my oldest razor.

 

[Haiku]

Thanks, I won't push my luck. The baking soda and aluminum foil got most of it, and a little Maas got the remaining black spots. It looks very nice now, so I won't worry about making it look literally new. It's good to know that it's genuine, my oldest razor.

Not at all, you're very welcome. Congratulations on a great find. It's really nice that someone who appreciates this razor will now have it.

 

[Dustinl]

Thanks, I won't push my luck. The baking soda and aluminum foil got most of it, and a little Maas got the remaining black spots. It looks very nice now, so I won't worry about making it look literally new. It's good to know that it's genuine, my oldest razor.

Nice score!


DL

 

[cfriend]

Careful: it's not sterling. It's silver plated only. It's a heavy plate, but it's plated.

If you get too aggressive about polishing it, you'll polish the silver right off. The baking soda and aluminum method is the safest.

Done this before. Left a shiny brass streak on one edge of the cap.

 

[T Rick]

Happy Centennial! 1910 Single Ring, triple silver plated. 100 years old this year .

Date/Serial#s from the Wiki

1910 B222221-B697600

These are wonderful razors, virtually the same as Gillette's original "Double Ring" razors, and if you ask me, often a real bargain. I've bought them cased and uncased, shiny and black, from $12 and change up to about $50. I have 9 examples, all 1912 and earlier, with the exception of one from 1918. They and the Double Rings are by far my most often used razors these days (and I've got most Gillette model groups represented in the collection).

Done this before. Left a shiny brass streak on one edge of the cap.

Unlikely that actually caused it, as the process done correctly doesn't remove the silver (this is why it's so desirable). It merely turns the silver sulfide (tarnished silver) back to silver, by reversing the chemical reaction and releasing the sulfur.

Here's an article on how/why it works, and here is a thread on one of Highball's Bulldog's where AsylumGuido outlined the process (which is where I learned it). Scroll down to the 13th post in the thread. I've used this process on some very black razors, as well as some just tarnished. No damage whatsoever, and some now look new (like this 1905 Double Ring before and after shot). Some that have a nice patina look, I leave as is. That includes one Single Ring and one double Ring I've left near black.

First I usually use a water soak, followed by a gentle scrub with scrubbing bubbles and a toothbrush (Q Tips for inside the handle, neck and barrel nut), rinse and water soak a few minutes to neutralize the Scrubbing Bubbles. Then I typically do 3-7 applications of the process depending on need, then I do usually follow up with a light polish with some mild silver cream, just to bring out the real luster and shine.

Before...

After...