Going through old family stuff

[Hoody]

Hey guys,

So my dad was going through my grandmothers house helping her get rid of some stuff before moving and found this and gave it to me. There isn't any markings on it. He thinks this was my great grand fathers, which would make it really really old. Is there anyone that can tell me what it is and how I could find out the year of it?

Thanks!!

 

[Rasierhobel]

would be cool if my family saved such razors its a gillette double ring. look at the number on the tube and post it. than we can date it congrats

 

[Manning]

Whoa, double rings everywhere.

This is the first safety razors made by Gillette. It is from 1903-1906. It is called a Double Ring. You might be able to pin down an exact date by looking for a serial number on the inner barrel of the razor. Also, check for a patent date or patent applied for on the outer handle right above the knob on the bottom. If there is no serial number, but it says patent applied for, then it is from 1903 or 1904 (no way to know exact date).

Bottom line is congratulations! This is probably the best razor you could have found. It belonging to your great grandfather is more than icing on the cake!

 

[Triad]

Very cool Hoody heirlooms=priceless

 

[GDCarrington]

Congratulations! What a find!

 

[kingfisher]

It is a dirty, unsanitary, dangerous piece of junk! Even your great-grandfather hated it.

Send it to me and I'll make sure that it's disposed of properly.

 

[Hoody]

So I did look at the lower end of the barrel and it says PAT NOV 15 04. Whats the best way to clean this up? It looks like it could be brass but not sure.

 

[Haiku]

So I did look at the lower end of the barrel and it says PAT NOV 15 04. Whats the best way to clean this up? It looks like it could be brass but not sure.

It is brass plated with silver. Use the "tin foil" or "aluminum foil" method to recovert the silver tarnish back into shiny silver. Do a search on this board and you'll find the method.

This is the first double-edged safety razor model ever made by Gillette. For many it's one of the Holy Grail razors.

To have one that your grandfather used is fabulous. Congratulations!

 

[Hoody]

So I did look at the lower end of the barrel and it says PAT NOV 15 04. Whats the best way to clean this up? It looks like it could be brass but not sure.

Here are some more photos of other razors that I received. Plus my dad knows of a 1950's Superspeed that he still needs to find.

 

[LiveOak]

It is brass plated with silver. Use the "tin foil" or "aluminum foil" method to recovert the silver tarnish back into shiny silver. Do a search on this board and you'll find the method.

This is the first double-edged safety razor model ever made by Gillette. For many it's one of the Holy Grail razors.

To have one that your grandfather used is fabulous. Congratulations!

You might be amazed at how shiny silver you could make that thing with very little effort. To be honest, I like it like it is. I would be tempted to leave it as is in honor of your great grandfather.

BTW, never sell this. You would get several hundred dollars for it, but the sentimental value is worth far more. I hope you haven't been receiving offers already. Resist!

 

[BBrad]

Wow . . . nice . . . congrats!!

 

[CGW409]

Here are some more photos of other razors that I received. Plus my dad knows of a 1950's Superspeed that he still needs to find.

View attachment 251040View attachment 251041View attachment 251042

Very nice now you'll have to start looking into straight shaving as well.
That blackish crud is heavily tarnished silver though you may have some brassing from nearly a century of use.
I used Weimans Metal polish on my Great Grandfather's Big Fellow (just make sure you use the one safe for plated metals) and it cleaned up real nice.
I know some antique experts say not to remove the "patina" from antique objects but I never intend to sell the razor (it'll be passed along to my nephew with the proviso that his Great Great Grandpa's razor is for using not selling) and considering he'd held onto it long enough for it to still be around 90 years after he'd got it I think he'd appreciate the fact that a great Grandson he'd never met (he passed 4 years before my birth)is still using his razor.
+1 to the advice to never sell yours,clean it up,use it,pass it to the next generation.

 

[Hoody]

Ok, so with some further checking this is the number on the inner barrel: 251 36

On the outside barrel it says PAT NOV 15 04

Does anyone know how to put the date on this?

TIA

 

[Manning]

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

Should date to 1904.

 

[Haiku]

Don't use any polish on the double ring, the plating was thin to begin with. Use the aluminum foil method which will convert the tarnish.

The pipe razor is a George Wostenholm. It's a very highly regarded straight.

 

[Mark1966]

Congratulations - what a great score!!!!!

Ditto to never sell this - it is history writ large!

 

[Hoody]

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

Should date to 1904.

Thanks for the info! I am super excited about this find. Crazy to think that this is 108 years old. I plan to keep it, clean it up via the tin foil method, and possibly use it from time to time. This is something definitely to cherish. Thanks everyone for the info. Any ideas on restoring or cleaning the box. I was thinking of just using some canned air to remove the dust.

 

[Hoody]

Don't use any polish on the double ring, the plating was thin to begin with. Use the aluminum foil method which will convert the tarnish.

The pipe razor is a George Wostenholm. It's a very highly regarded straight.

Thanks for the info on the straight razor, I will need to find out some more on it and the others. I guess I should check out the straight razor forums.

 

[jbradley]

Beautiful! Truly a piece to hold onto, family history in your hand.

BTW, never sell this. You would get several hundred dollars for it, but the sentimental value is worth far more. I hope you haven't been receiving offers already. Resist!

Never, ever sell. I'm sure you know this, but if you sold it, it's gone forever, and the money would be gone soon.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Be careful using that razor, it's aggressive as all heck! Probably not the one you want to learn DE shaving with