Quick question,..... I have just acquired a Gem Micromatic with the antennae style handle...... I have the pat nos. etc. and have researched them but how do I date the actual year of mfg. ? If I go by the patent numbers it's from the 30's but that Is only patent numbers not when it was actually made right ?
how to date a Gem SE
- Thread starter Aschecte
- Start date
AFAIK there is no reliable way to date these. If your razor is in its original case and if you post some pics, some of the really knowledgable members here might be able to give you an estimate.
The best way to date a GEM is to give it flowers and ask nicely and respectfully. Don't take it to a cheap restaurant, either. 
Sadly, you won't be able to date it like you can a Gillette. The best you will be able to do is get an approximate time frame that it was produced. If you have the case, you can try to look at some advertisements to see when it would have sold. I know this, because I was used to being able to get my Gillettes dated down to what Quarter of the year they were produced, since they have dated codes on the razor. GEMs and ERs never did this. Sorry.
Sadly, you won't be able to date it like you can a Gillette. The best you will be able to do is get an approximate time frame that it was produced. If you have the case, you can try to look at some advertisements to see when it would have sold. I know this, because I was used to being able to get my Gillettes dated down to what Quarter of the year they were produced, since they have dated codes on the razor. GEMs and ERs never did this. Sorry.
Oh... Cozy up and offer to buy her a drink maybe?
- Thread starter
- #5
LOL !!! I didn't even need to do that much work to ...... well that is a different topic.... unfortunately I do not have the box..... My mother gave me my great great ( double intended ) grandfathers shaving gear as a present and he past away before I was born...... I know it is old but yeah this is going to have to be a IDK but very functional after I clean it up really good razor. I know the Pat nos. date it back to the 30's but that means nothing except that is when the mfg. filed the pat's ......OK LET MOVE PAST THE DATE !!!!!! how is the micromatic as a shaver I have never used a SE before I guess you could call me a SE virgin.
- Thread starter
- #6
BTW here are some pics. also is it normal unlike a DE that it is like a short maybe 1/2 turn then the top plate just lifts off ? then I assume you just put the blade in push the top plate back in place and retighten the knob ? and yes this really needs to be cleaned.
OCMM are aggressive shavers. I love them, and only put the OC Damaskeene and Streamline ahead of them. The TTO should open the head all the way. You shouldn't need to pull it open. The twisting action should open and tighten the razor closed. Be aware of the blade stops. If they are worn down, you run the chance of eating your face up. (This happened to me unfortunately.). I hope you get good use out of it! Let us know.
That looks like an early mm to me about 1929-30, and they are a little bit more aggressive than the later ones.
just my 2p worth
just my 2p worth
- Thread starter
- #9
I should clarify twisting the knob does open the head up..... but if I gently and I mean gently touch it , it will open back on it's hinge. That said what is the best way to clean this up is it the same as a regular DE just scrubbing bubbles and tooth brush and some barbacide to follow up for decades of bacteria build up as well as overkill ?
- Thread starter
- #10
I think it is pretty old too like I said it was my Great great or my great grand fathers....... probably my great grandfathers just doing the math he was born in 1914 so by 1929-30 he would have been assuming it is from 1930 he would have been 16 and starting to shave and if it was y great great grandfather he would have been 34 years old either way makes it a logical assumption that it was from that era.
Scrubbing bubbles just like a DE will do it. You can go the barbicide route as well.
- Thread starter
- #12
Back to the original comment about it opening and the knob..... is that normal function that you turn the knob and it opens but to fully open the top plate you use your hand to pull the head back completely ? maybe there just need to be a good cleaning ..... This is my first experience with a SE and have no idea what to expect or if the mechanism is not functioning correctly. Also I assume this was originally plated or was this always a brass razor...... and thank you for all the input and your help I really appreciate it !!!!
All 3 of mine open cometely by the TTO handle and close tightly the same way. A good soak in soapy hot water, (not boiling), should do the trick. I would guess it's just junked up and that's why it doesn't open completely. Just my opinion, though. Others may know more than I.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #14
honestly was soaking this as you said before you posted this and already it has made a word of difference !!! opens and closes 100% by mechanism only now..... now the plating was this always brass or did it have a plating ? would you concur with morseman that this is probably 1929-1930 era appx. ? btw I posted this link on a few groups on FB and the consensus was you are the king of the SE and probably the most knowledgeable on B&B when it comes to GEM SE especially the streamlines and jewels.
I would guess it dates to that time frame. I am pretty sure some of the OCMM were all brass, so I don't think yours is a razor that has lost it's finish. As far as being an expert, I have to disagree there. There are people on here much more knowledgable on these than myself. I just love collecting and using SEs. They just give me the best shaves of any older razors. While I own a few Streamlines/jewels, I would not consider myself an expert on them. HoosierTrooper is far greater an expert than myself.
Similar threads
