Gillette US Service Set?

[Eman]

I picked this up today and I don't know anything about it other than I thought the case was really cool.

Can anyone tell me about this razor?

It has a small crack on the handle near the top, I think you can see it in the last picture and the plating on the head looks to be gone.

Oh, and it came with a nice blade sampler.

Thanks

 

[filedog]

I'm sure some more knowledgeable members will jump in, but for now I can tell you it's a single-ring old type, and that cracks in the handle are typical. Where did you find it? Care to share what it cost you? Do you plan to shave with it? Nice score!

 

[Eman]

Thanks for the reply. I have made friends with some of the people who own some of the small local antique shops. They are on the lookout for shaving stuff and when they find something they give me a call and I get first choice on what I want. Whatever I don't want they put out on the shelf for everyone else. Sometimes I buy stuff I really don't need just to help them out but that means they will continue to look for stuff for me. I paid $30.00 for this set, I don't know if that is a good price or not. I think I will clean it up and try it out, but it will most likely go on my display shelf for now.

 

[Stratton]

30 is good considering one of the antique stores in town has the same one for 135. And they aren't budging

 

[johnmrson]

These were not military issue sets. They were sold to the public with the theme of giving one to a serving man so he can use it whilst away. $30 is an excellent price. The crack in the handle is pretty standard. If it makes the head or ball loose you can just glue it with a little bit of epoxy.

 

[Eman]

These were not military issue sets. They were sold to the public with the theme of giving one to a serving man so he can use it whilst away. $30 is an excellent price. The crack in the handle is pretty standard. If it makes the head or ball loose you can just glue it with a little bit of epoxy.

I wondered why the case has army and navy symbols on it. The blank spot at the bottom must have been for engraving the soldiers name. The ball on the end seems pretty solid and so far the crack is minor, but it is good to know that they can be fixed if needed.

Thanks

 

[Veritas II]

The US Service Set was sold in 1917 for $5.00. It is a nickel-plated Old Type. Yours doesn't seem to have a lot of plating loss on the head, so it should shine up nicely. Check its serial number to confirm the razor is original to the case.

$30.00 is a good price. The exterior of the case is in good shape. It originally had "an indestructible trench mirror" in the top of the case. That appears to be missing.

 

[Eman]

The US Service Set was sold in 1917 for $5.00. It is a nickel-plated Old Type. Yours doesn't seem to have a lot of plating loss on the head, so it should shine up nicely. Check its serial number to confirm the razor is original to the case.

$30.00 is a good price. The exterior of the case is in good shape. It originally had "an indestructible trench mirror" in the top of the case. That appears to be missing.

Thanks for the reply, so this was made in 1917? The serial number is G4733. I don't know where to look to see if this is the correct case or not.

 

[Oldguy]

I'm sure some more knowledgeable members will jump in, but for now I can tell you it's a single-ring old type, and that cracks in the handle are typical. Where did you find it? Care to share what it cost you? Do you plan to shave with it? Nice score!

This is a ball end Old Type pocket razor. It was introduced after the ABC razor was fazed out. Most of the serialized ball end razors were made for WWI. The Single Ring does not have a ball end.

Len

 

[Veritas II]

Thanks for the reply, so this was made in 1917? The serial number is G4733. I don't know where to look to see if this is the correct case or not.

The serial number should be on the top of the base piece, like this:

What I meant by correct to the case is that the razor is a 1917(ish) production, not a later model that found its way into a Service Set case. Either way, it is a very nice pick-up. The series of serials for 1917 is D516475-E449207. Full list of serial numbers here (B&B Wiki).

 

[Oldguy]

The G serial number is for 1918. I have 7 military type sets. All have 1918 serial numbers.

Len

 

[Eman]

The G serial number is for 1918. I have 7 military type sets. All have 1918 serial numbers.

Len

Thanks for the info, I honestly had no idea this razor was that old.

 

[Deltaboy]

The Case looks great! Super find for $30.00 Bucks.