Gillette Tech Y3 1953 Zinc Alloy or Brass?

[polaris]

Hello Everyone,

Are the 1953 "Y" date Gillette Techs brass or zinc-alloy heads? The razor in question has the "Gillette" logo etched on the top cap.

Thanks Much

 

[troy]

I think it should be all brass. The contract Techs from the WWII had zamak and/or steel handles and/or baseplates, but I believe they all still had brass caps. Super Speeds went steel and/or aluminum during the Korean War, W and X date codes, some Ys were still being made of leftover parts. Some Techs may have too, I'm not sure. The Zamak caps didn't start until the mid 60s. So I would say it's most likely all brass, but nothing is out of the realm of possibilities.

 

[polaris]

Thanks for the great info Troy!

 

[polaris]

Just double checking. If it has the "Gillette" logo etched on the top cap, could it still be brass?

Thanks Again

 

[troy]

Just double checking. If it has the "Gillette" logo etched on the top cap, could it still be brass?

Thanks Again

Left is a W-2 '51 brass cap and base plate, plastic handle. Right is a P-2 '70 zamak cap, brass baseplate aluminum handle. Hope this helps.

 

[hsbbs04]

Left is a W-2 '51 brass cap and base plate, plastic handle. Right is a P-2 '70 zamak cap, brass baseplate aluminum handle. Hope this helps.
View attachment 940046

Most of those like the one in the left are brass, but I have had a few that look like the one in the left that is pot metal.

 

[REV579]

This is one of the reasons why I weigh the caps, combs, and handles of the vintage razors I buy. Without access to the manufacturers specs, basic principles of physics can answer many questions.
For example, the difference between a 102 & 102a is 4 grams. There is a weight difference in the caps as well as the combs if you can't see the difference with the naked eye.

 

[BigJ]

This is one of the reasons why I weigh the caps, combs, and handles of the vintage razors I buy. Without access to the manufacturers specs, basic principles of physics can answer many questions.
For example, the difference between a 102 & 102a is 4 grams. There is a weight difference in the caps as well as the combs if you can't see the difference with the naked eye.

+1! Data talks! This is a great way to answer the question!

 

[romsitsa]

Hello,

some (all?) of the black contract and bakelite handle Techs had zamak caps. At least they are grey under the black paint. But I also suspect these were military issue and civilian sets retained brass heads.

Adam

 

[Somnos]

This is one of the reasons why I weigh the caps, combs, and handles of the vintage razors I buy. Without access to the manufacturers specs, basic principles of physics can answer many questions.
For example, the difference between a 102 & 102a is 4 grams. There is a weight difference in the caps as well as the combs if you can't see the difference with the naked eye.

Thanks for the info!!