Gillette Single Rings with British Patent Numbers

[nuclearblast]

If the logs weren't destroyed during WWI, there's good chances that they didn't survive WWII. London was bombed 71 times by the Luftwaffe. And we know that during the Blitz industrial centres outside London were ''heavily attacked''.

While I have spent a considerable amount of time on collecting for the database, the credit and vote of thanks for most of the historical research must go to Porter, Mike and Alex.

Of course, wouldn't have been possible without our experts!

 

[782sirbrian]

When I looked up 'Gillette Razor Factory Leicester' this little bit of info came up. It's a census transcription for a lady who worked in the factory in 1911 as a Razor Blade Inspector. Living in Leicester so ties her in with the factory there. Not a lot but just a little info.

http://www.centuriespast.co.uk/getperson.php?personID=I3&tree=Family..

 

[GBinOZ]

If the logs weren't destroyed during WWI, there's good chances that they didn't survive WWII. London was bombed 71 times by the Luftwaffe. And we know that during the Blitz industrial centres outside London were ''heavily attacked''.

When I tried to obtain the flight records of my uncle's service in Bomber Command during WWII I was told that all records had been destroyed by the BRITISH GOVERNMENT in the 1950s. Hopefully Gillette, as a private company, had more historical cognisance than their political overlords of the time.

Cheers, George

 

[alancrab]

Hi
Hope this is still ongoing.
Just aquired 1 of these - I'm generally a "Lurker" but thought you might like the details for your WIKI

H072604

Outer Barrel

Inner Barrel

BR.PAT.No.28763.02

Double

No

alancrab

England

Alan

 

[GBinOZ]

Thanks for the contribution Alan. I have added it to the Wiki.

Cheers, George

 

[preidy]

Thanks for all the indepth info and hard work on this subject. I have a cased Old Type I just picked up from the UK. It won't arrive until early Jan 16. No photos of the serial number but this is what the owner supplied regarding the markings:

Q: Hi, Are there any markings on the razor.
A: Hi, The following is on the internal barrel what looks like an upside down V and the following number ^ 625126 and around the outside edge of main razor has BR PAT

I'm hoping the "upside down V" is a washed out "A". The case has a "Gillette" script marking on the inside and one card board maybe mismatched blade holder "Gillette". Based on looking at the case (Mr Razor) it looks like a 1906-08. If so, based on your info I guess possibly made in Boston and shipped to the UK? I will add more info when I receive.

 

[GBinOZ]

The following is on the internal barrel what looks like an upside down V and the following number ^ 625126 and around the outside edge of main razor has BR PAT

I'm hoping the "upside down V" is a washed out "A". The case has a "Gillette" script marking on the inside and one card board maybe mismatched blade holder "Gillette". Based on looking at the case (Mr Razor) it looks like a 1906-08. If so, based on your info I guess possibly made in Boston and shipped to the UK? I will add more info when I receive.

Hi preidy,

Congratulations on your acquisition. That number with an A prefix would date it to 1908 on the US chart. Current thinking is that only the E, F and H prefixed single rings with the British Patent were made in England, or Europe. The A and B prefixed are thought to be made at Boston for the European market. Theories have evolved over time as evidence or clues are gathered, but this is the current speculation.

Cheers, George

 

[preidy]

George subpar photo's of the razor denote the entire razor is covered with patinia - completly black. What is the thinking on removing it and shining it up? I have a 1918 Old Type (Nickel) in great condition no cracks I completely cleaned, shined and use once monthly and on holidays. It sure looks great and I'm leaning towards cleaning this one up by doing the alum foil baking soda routine. I don't plan to re-sell this or any of my baby's but will pass then on to my son and grandsons. Thanks again for the input and all the backround info.

 

[preidy]

sorry can't figure how to enlarge.

 

[GBinOZ]

Hi preidy,
I have noted that there is division of thought on that subject but don't know the percentages. There are those who think that it has taken 100 plus years to develop patina and feel it should be preserved, and those who like to return the razor to its as new shiny condition. My preference is the latter. I always employ the aluminium foil/baking soda on silver plated razors, and I use all my razors, even if they are mint condition where as others feel that NOS condition razors better retain their value if unused. I have yet to persuade my son that the extra time spent on wet shaving is worth the investment, but I have 4 young grandsons and I hope at least one will be interested in inheriting and using my collection.

Cheers, George

 

[preidy]

Hi George:

I just received my Old Type from the UK today. Looks like a 1908 based on serial number A 625126 on the barrel. It has a Brit Pat number 28.763 of 02. No other marking. In great shape does not appear to have any cracks, no damage to teeth, cap, etc, and of course plenty of patina. Their are 3 gold initials on the top of the razor case, a mystery. The seller had no info on the case or razor. I probably will eventually clean it up using hot water, baking soda, aluminum in the glass pan procedure. One additional question. Do you know why some UK razors have Pat No. "of 02" at the end and some don't.

Thanks - Pat

 

[GBinOZ]

Hi Pat,
The gold initials would probably be those of the original owner added as part of an order.
In my research on the razors marked with the British Patent I have come across a number of variations:

BR.PAT.No.28763.02

Brit.PAT.No.28763.02

Brit.PAT.No.28763 of 02

Brit.PAT.No.28.763 of 02

BR.PAT.No.28763 of 02

BR.PAT.No.28,763 OF '02

BR.PAT.No28.763 OF `02

Pat. No. 28.763 of 02

I have no idea as to why there were these differences. Pure speculation could suggest that different operators may have wanted to identify their own work. It may be that if there were razors with the British patent produced in Paris and Berlin as well as Leicester and Boston then the slight differences may be to denote country of manufacture, but this is speculation in its purest form.

Hope you enjoy your razor Pat.

Cheers, George

 

[preidy]

Thanks again George for the info.

 

[romsitsa]

Hello,

found one British made single ring here in Hungary, but don't know anything about its origin.
Thin cap
BR. PT. No. on lower part of outer handle
No trade marks
Star stamp on underside of base plate
Serial nr. E115098 on top of base plate
It came in a Merkur Solingen box, a missmatch

I can't make any photos right now, but some things I noticed when I comparing it to a thick cap US single ring (no date code, no patent, Gillette logo and MiUSA stamps)

upper plate is narrower on British razor
shaft of the British razors cap is shorter, but theread is longer
inner tube of the British razor is longer
the outer tube has slightly different proportions, the lower no pattern ring is shorter on the British
The cap has more pointy locating pins on the British
knurled end of British razor has slightly different proportions than US razor
British razor has extra thin teeth

Adam

 

[romsitsa]

Hello again,

made some pictures and have a question. The thread of the inner tube of the British razor has worn out. Can I swap the tube with the US made or is the difference between the two tubes in relation with British/US specs and can't be interchanged?
Would replacing the worn out thread with helicoil ruin the razor? Now it is around user grade.

British to the left, US thick cap to the right.

British serial

Star stamp

Threads and locating pins, left British, right US made

Barrel difference

Inner tube, left British right US made.

Adam

 

[Dave-the-rave]

Something sounds odd. A thick cap Single Ring? First I've heard of that.

 

[nuclearblast]

...

 

[Dave-the-rave]

My apologies then. First I've heard of it. Thanks for the pic.

 

[GBinOZ]

Hi Adam,
Congratulations on your find. I notice that you don't have enough posts to enter your razor into the Wiki. With your permission I can enter it for you. Can you advise of the exact form of the British Patent please - is it

PAT.NOV.15.04.N ​

or

BR.PAT.No.28763.02​

or another variation?

My theory is that your razor would have been made in late 1908 in the modified Gordon Boot factory at Leicester prior to the opening of the new factory facilities on that site. The star has been found on a few of these razors and, IMHO, designates a razor made in England for the Italian market. However, you should note that my theories are speculative and are not universally accepted by other learned members of the forum.

With regards to the differences in dimensions between the pre and post 1921 models, I ran my micrometer over both the British made and US made pre-1921 Single rings and couldn't detect any significant differences. It would be expected that there would be differences with the post 1921 model as it was introduced with other new models - 102A ball-end, New Improved etc.

Cheers, George

 

[romsitsa]

Hello George,

thank you very much. Please enter it into the Wiki. I thought the difference could be caused by pre/post 1921 manufacture, bu I don't have any pre 1921 US made thin cap single ring.
Could you please compare the knobs please? The rings look to be thinner on the British one and the material is thinner (it has a slightly bigger hole).

The serial is BR.PAT.No.28763.02 The O from No is in superscript above the dot. The dot between 3 and 0 is in the middle.

Adam