Greetings fellow shavers. I just acquired this replated Floral Pocket Razor from Back Roads Gold. I thought there would be a date code or serial number on the guard or somewhere but as you can see from the pics there is none. I know Gillette made these razors c.1908-1919 but does anyone know what year this razor may date from, i.e. certain years that Gillette did not code them?
Help dating a Gillette ABC Pocket Razor
- Thread starter den fly
- Start date
Can’t help with date, but that Razor is BEAUTIFUL.
They usually have a code / serial stamp on the top of the baseplate near the edge of the teeth. It could have been covered up by the plating . Some may have had them on the bottom, not sure. My dad has two somewhere tucked away.
Example one:
Eample two:
this may be a help also
www.badgerandblade.com
Example one:
Eample two:
this may be a help also
Guide to American Button Company Pocket Edition Sets: Part One - Razors
This is part 1 of 2 in our introduction of the American Button Company pocket razor contracted by The Gillette Safety Razor Co. This thread will specifically focus on the razors themselves and part two (Cases) focuses on the cases. It is a joint project of Len (Oldguy) and myself and is meant to...
www.badgerandblade.com
one of my absolute favorite BB threads of all timeThey usually have a code / serial stamp on the top of the baseplate near the edge of the teeth. It could have been covered up by the plating . Some may have had them on the bottom, not sure. My dad has two somewhere tucked away.
Example one:
View attachment 1953525
Eample two:
View attachment 1953527
this may be a help also
Guide to American Button Company Pocket Edition Sets: Part One - Razors
This is part 1 of 2 in our introduction of the American Button Company pocket razor contracted by The Gillette Safety Razor Co. This thread will specifically focus on the razors themselves and part two (Cases) focuses on the cases. It is a joint project of Len (Oldguy) and myself and is meant to...
My reliable sauce says these are c1909 - 20's how far into the 20's it does not say? I would say a closer date by the logo may be determined? as some have ''Known the World over'' on them, and the arrow through the Gillette varied, yours looks a latter version? maybe?
Gillette had no serials from May 28th 1929. So that just precedes the slotted blade. [30]
I have a F serial on the top of the comb, and a G serial on the bottom of the comb, and a G serial that I can't find?
Found, so that's one G serial on top the comb, one G serial on the bottom of the comb
That top cap and especially base plate might very well be from after 1921 when Gillette stopped putting serial numbers on the basic models. Only the deluxe models had serial numbers in the period 1921-1931.
A 'Floral'-handle like that should definitely be combined with a base plate that has a serial number on it. At least to my knowledge.
A 'Floral'-handle like that should definitely be combined with a base plate that has a serial number on it. At least to my knowledge.
I agree. I think this is a later old type head on an ABC handle.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks for the info. I suspected it might be a different head from the original. Don't see how the plating could completely obliterate the numbers.
- Thread starter
- #10
If it is a mismatched head and handle, which seems likely, I wish BRG was more up front about it. The razor is in excellent condition and the replating is beautiful but I'm a little disappointed. Lesson learned: Most sellers, even those with a good reputation don't necessarily value transparency and full disclosure. Ask questions before you buy.
Really beautiful piece of functionally historical art. As mentioned the serial number may have been covered over by plating: have you taken a loop, high power magnifier to it to see if there is some remnant of numbers in the location mentioned?
I understand your frustration since I would be a bit disappointed too if I was in your situation. That being said it might be an instance of Chris simply not knowing. No doubt he has worked on a lot of razors through the years and is great at restoring them, but I doubt he has a particular deep knowledge about a lot of vintage razors. He isn't an ambitious collector to my knowledge. Sure he is aware of a lot of the model names especially with regard to razors from Gillette, but I don't think he is particular knowledgeable about all kinds of smaller specific details that only a really ambitious collector would have interest in. At least that is my impression.
I have made similar mistakes in the past where I haven't asked enough questions or asked for adequate pictures which has ended up with me being a bit disappointed about the purchase. I have made the mistake of thinking the other part is just as big of a geek as myself with regard to these razors, but that is simply not the case most of the time
My point is simply that I have had to lower my expectations and realise I have high standards with regard to eg. condition. It's MY job to be as sure as possible that I'm happy about the purchase. If that makes sense.
As you said yourself "Ask questions before you buy" is for sure a good thing to remember and will help you some of the way, but only if the person you are buying from actually has more knowledge than yourself. So if you are in doubt about some specific details with regard to a specific razor model creating a post here on eg. B&B before a purchase might be a solution in the future. At least that opens up the possibility that someone with more knowledge potentially can help you determining if you should make a specific purchase or not.
- Thread starter
- #13
Thanks so much for this thoughtful response. You make some good points. And I do intend on keeping the razor as the handle alone is worth it.I understand your frustration since I would be a bit disappointed too if I was in your situation. That being said it might be an instance of Chris simply not knowing. No doubt he has worked on a lot of razors through the years and is great at restoring them, but I doubt he has a particular deep knowledge about a lot of vintage razors. He isn't an ambitious collector to my knowledge. Sure he is aware of a lot of the model names especially with regard to razors from Gillette, but I don't think he is particular knowledgeable about all kinds of smaller specific details that only a really ambitious collector would have interest in. At least that is my impression.
I have made similar mistakes in the past where I haven't asked enough questions or asked for adequate pictures which has ended up with me being a bit disappointed about the purchase. I have made the mistake of thinking the other part is just as big of a geek as myself with regard to these razors, but that is simply not the case most of the time
My point is simply that I have had to lower my expectations and realise I have high standards with regard to eg. condition. It's MY job to be as sure as possible that I'm happy about the purchase. If that makes sense.
As you said yourself "Ask questions before you buy" is for sure a good thing to remember and will help you some of the way, but only if the person you are buying from actually has more knowledge than yourself. So if you are in doubt about some specific details with regard to a specific razor model creating a post here on eg. B&B before a purchase might be a solution in the future. At least that opens up the possibility that someone with more knowledge potentially can help you determining if you should make a specific purchase or not.
- Thread starter
- #14
No. I don't have an high power magnifier.
