I got an an ABC Shell razor in the mail today and it has two codes. One is the regular date code and the other is prefixed with an "L" denoting that it was sent in for repair. This "L" prefixed number got me wondering about marks that Gillette used for razors that were returned for repair. Other than the "L" prefixed number, I've read that the imprint of a "G" inside of a "D" also denotes a razor returned for repair. Are there other markings used for such purposes? Or are these the only two that are known? And I would assume that there is no way to tell, but is there any way of dating these two marks? Were the two marks used at the same time (perhaps different repair work or different repair centers?) or was there a year in which they transitioned from one to the other?
Gillette Repair Markings ...
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Anybody?
I've always considered the G mark to be a hallmark of silver razors, but I also believe that the Tan Tip Super Speed exists.
I too have a G in the D mark but on a single ring. I also have wondered what it was for.
I posted about a Single Ring I bought a while back with the prefix "S" and have no idea what it stands for:
Since there is no plating loss anywhere on the razor, I have been tempted to get it tested to see if it may be made of sterling silver, but Achim of Mr. Razor said there were no sterling Old Types made. My next guess is that it would be a designation for repair, maybe in a Canadian facility.
Since there is no plating loss anywhere on the razor, I have been tempted to get it tested to see if it may be made of sterling silver, but Achim of Mr. Razor said there were no sterling Old Types made. My next guess is that it would be a designation for repair, maybe in a Canadian facility.
I posted about a Single Ring I bought a while back with the prefix "S" and have no idea what it stands for:
Since there is no plating loss anywhere on the razor, I have been tempted to get it tested to see if it may be made of sterling silver, but Achim of Mr. Razor said there were no sterling Old Types made. My next guess is that it would be a designation for repair, maybe in a Canadian facility.
I know I may be smote down, but I respectfully disagree with Achim. This ad shows sterling silver razors for sale. The ad is from 1909, and yours seems to be a 1911, so unless they changed that in 2 years...
Wow thanks for posting the ad drewmac - now I really want to get my razor tested. To be fair to Achim, he said he had never seen a sterling silver Old Type, so I misstated his position slightly.
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I had always heard that nobody knew what it was. But Achim recently mentioned that it was a repair marking.
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I just did some google searching and found that the designation 'sterling silver' denotes silver that is 92.5% or higher silver content. I forgot when the transition to nickel plated razors occurred, but I think (almost) all Old Types are silver plated. Most of them, however, might not be a high enough percentage to count as sterling. Perhaps that's what he meant.
No problem! Yeah, I pretty much don't have a life. I have most of those old single ring ads memorized!
Would a sterling silver razor need a hallmark? Are hallmarks required for silver?
Brian, I know you were asking about repair marks, and I didn't mean to derail the thread. That said, while most of the Old Types were silver plated, using the term Sterling Silver, in addition to signaling the 92.5% silver content, implies solid silver construction as opposed to any type of silver plating over brass or other metal. That's why drewmac's ad shows a triple silver plated razor for $6 and a sterling (solid) silver razor for $12.
Alex, I don't understand your post, sorry.
Alex, I don't understand your post, sorry.
I too have been led to believe that G is a repair or revisit to the factory.
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Don't worry about it. The discussion of silver plating is interesting anyways.
And if it matters, the particular razor that prompted me to ask the question is pictured below. Note the two codes. One is the regular date code: C 2869 (1911). The other is prefixed with an "L" denoting repair work: L 86377.
Does anybody know about the different markings? "L" prefixes on the top of the comb or the "G" inside of the "D" on the underside? Were they used at the same time? Were they particular to specific repair locations? Was there a transition in time between one marking and the other? Anybody know anything?
I wonder if Gillette was ever selling refurbished razors.
Interesting discussion about the Markings on the razors, I have one of these razors with the G inside the D its on top of the handle, I must admit it does look as if its a silver handle, not sure haven't had it tested. A razor dealer said it was a Gillette Debutante and is pretty rare, anybody got any ideas
I´ve a case with this stamped. What did this mean?
I have a single ring with the G inside a D stamp. But it's gold plated. Hmmm the plot thickens
my guesses are the L is for items sent back to Gillette for rework or engraving, and the GD is from the 20's when they stopped serializing razors. In England and many european countries silver items need to be assayed and hallmarked, whether made there or imported. Generally, they would have the maker, the assay office and year mark. In the US, sterling is marked .925. Other silver is not neccessarily marked, but would not be able to be sold as silver unless marked.
But mine has the GD and a serial number
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