Interesting unmarked sterling razor

[Daneliuk]

Finally signed up after visiting this site on and off for about two years.

I recently inherited this straight razor, and I thought the people on this forum might appreciate it.



I've looked around and haven't found anything similar to it. The blade and shank are two separate pieces of metal which doesn't seem very common. And the only markings on the entire razor is the "STERLING" inscribed on the tang.

I really like the scales on it. They appear to be sterling silver, but are again unmarked.

Let me know what you think of it. If anyone can tell me anything about it that would be awesome, but I realize that's likely impossible without a makers mark.

 

[daflorc]

Like you said, no makers mark = impossible to identify. Usually sterling scales would have "sterling" marked somewhere on them as well. It's strange that its on the tang of the blade, as the tang is of course not sterling silver. An interesting piece. The scales will be somewhat valuable to that group of guys who buy razors specifically for unique or interesting scales.

 

[SliceOfLife]

It's a tang guard. You see them on occasion. Ivory probably was the most common, but there were a few MoP ones, even some plastic ones for some reason (as they seem only decorative, that seems kind of silly to me), this may be the first silver one I've ever seen. Very cool.

My guess is the scales would be aluminum, but the weight would give it away if they are silver too. If so, that razors probably worth a mint. Even if not, it's very cool, and molded aluminum scales, especially ones that nice are very rare and collectible anyway.

 

[pmaster]

Have you tried shaving with it? I very much love the curved spine & nice smile of the blade.

I have a razor of the Sterling brand, however I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with yours. Mine has J.D.L. Sterling written big on the scales (inlay).

 

[Daneliuk]

I've been using a DE razor exclusively for the past two years but I did try shaving with it yesterday. It was my first attempt shaving with a straight razor though, so unfortunately I can't comment on the quality of the shave. I didn't cut myself, so it was a success in my books.

The guy who honed it seemed pretty excited about it and said that he thought the scales were sterling. But without a hallmark it seems kind of unlikely. They're pretty heavy, and if I could just figure out how to detach the scales I could do a specific gravity test to tell if they're silver. But this is all just to satisfy my curiosity as I have no intention to sell them.

Should I try to clean off the tarnish and polish it up?

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

 

[Chaloney]

If it was mine I wouldn't touch it except to shave with it. Beautiful

 

[tomjr]

nice razor !!!

 

[totorlekiller]

If it is silver, smell should give it away. Tarnished silver does not smell the same as Aluminum and is a lot more pungent.
I remember dreading the christmas meal at my grandparents because they would bring out the "silver" ware.
So give it a good sniff.

 

[johnmrson]

That is a beautiful looking razor. A very high class piece.

 

[daflorc]

It's a tang guard. this may be the first silver one I've ever seen. Very cool.

****. It is a tang guard, lol. Good eyes!

 

[Sando]

You don't one of these every day. Exceptional. I wonder if it was a custom made razor for your relative?

 

[Daneliuk]

Exciting update everyone! I cleaned out the area between the scales a bit and took a closer look with a jewelers loupe. I found some markings on the scales! These are the best pictures I could manage at the time with my cellphone camera looking through the loupe.



So it turns out the scales are made of sterling If someone could help me out with the meaning of the other hallmarks it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tomjr]

i am still impressed by this razor. but i know nothing about sterling marks, sorry.

 

[sarimento1]

take it to a jeweler and they can give you some interpretation on the marks.
certainly a precious and heirloom item.
thanks for sharing.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Can't make out the makers mark, but the scales are definitely from Burmingham and I believe from 1856.

 

[Seraphim]

Awesome razor

 

[shipr]

Really cool razor.
Not sure about the marks. I think Gorham used a anchor mark similar to that. Then again the pattern looks similar but not quite the same as Stieff Baltimore Rose.
Good luck!

 

[Gamma]

Really sweet score. Congrats!

 

[Daneliuk]

Maybe a slightly better picture for reading the hallmarks

So there are three marks, a lion facing right, an anchor, and I can't tell what the third is. I did a little bit of research and my initial thought was that it was made in Birmingham because of the lion and the anchor.

Here's an example of a hallmark from Birmingham:


But apparently the lion is always facing left on British hallmarks, never right. So I looked some more and one possibility is that its made by Gorham as shipr said.

Here's an example of Gorham's hallmark:


There are very few makers that I could find that uses a right facing lion, Gorham being one of them. They also have a history of making a small amount of shaving gear. There's been some threads that have brought them up. Example:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/262587-The-Gorham-Razor?highlight=gorham

Most examples of their silverware have date stamps and production numbers but i can't find them anywhere on mine. And here's the only example I could find of straight razor scales being made by them but it has no good pictures.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-gorham-sterling-silver-straight-razor-set

 

[SliceOfLife]

Best guess seeing the lion is that they're dutch, from Steenwyjk 1917 and 83.3% silver or better.
http://www.925-1000.com/Fnetherlands_Date_Code.html