Is this a Fake Double Ring??

[michiganlover]

So in my travels yesterday, I found what appears to be a Gillette Double Ring, but I have my doubts.

It seems very light, it has no Gillette markings at all; above the bottom "knob" under the area of the knurling it says "pat applied for". The bottom knob/rod is not one piece as I would expect it to be, but in fact the knob is pressed onto the internal rod (and is cracked as you can see in the photo). I had to super glue the knob back onto the rod.

It had a Schick Plus Platinum installed in the razor, so it was apparently used within the last 30 years or so.

So what say you, is this the real deal, or a reproduction/ clone? Reproductions likely exist, as I had a German made clone of a Gillette Single Ring in the past.

 

[bakerbarber]

I've had two double rings. I have one now..

Both had a seam on the knob.

It looks legit to me..

Congratulations!!

Even if it's a knock off, I doubt it, it's a damn good one. That top cap is identical. Long post and stretch bullet pins.. It wouldn't get left behind if I saw it for sale on a hunt!!

 

[bakerbarber]

Here's the one I sold.

It's gone now, but was similar.. It's Serial Number looked like 87427, but was under some gunk I was afraid to remove. The silver was so thin already..

 

[TheRazorSleepsForNoOne]

It's real and since it says 'pat applied for', instead of the patent date, it's one of the first.

 

[BigFoot]

I think it is legit John, does the head look like a Gillette old type from the side? If so Serial numbers came out I beleive mid 1904, you may just have one of the 1st 50,000 or so made.

 

[MacDaddy]

Nothing jumps out at me as particularly inauthentic about it. The proportions of everything look right to me, which is where most of the clones fall to pieces (they were copying the style not trying to literally pass their razors off as old Gillettes), and the inscription on the handle seems to be the proper "PAT. APL'D FOR" you'd expect. It's even upside down at the bottom of the handle like this other one Connie got a little while back.

If you're sure that there's no serial number on the barrel at all that's still fine. It would just mean that, if it is proper (which I don't have any reason to doubt), it was one of the earliest ones before they began serial numbering.

 

[IronHammer]

Double Rings were produced for only a couple of years in the very beginning from 1904 to 1905. Gillette didn't have enough market share and presence in those early years to cause someone to want to go to the expense and effort of mimicing their product. At least not until they had gained substantial market presence, which, by that time they were producing Single Rings. I suspect you have an original, very early Double Ring. Congratulations on your find!

 

[amishmotorboat]

It's got the look. +1 to all the above.


and that's the second double ring with a knob problem. never seen that on single rings. johnmrson had one with a knob that was on backwards. it came right off and someone put it back on wrong.

 

[Kurtas]

I found this one, no numbers or anything. Only Matador name in the box. Perhaps a swedish Matador? From Matador-verken Halmstad?

 

[nemo]

Nice find, Kurt! Looks like the double ring until you see that flat baseplate and long comb.

Have you tried it yet? Hopefully some Matador experts will chime in -- that's the oldest one I've seen.

 

[Mlee]

I agree with @nemo. When I saw the flat base plate, I thought, nope. Nice looking razor though.

I wish there were more information about the split knob, or at least some information. Mine has one and when I found it sitting on a table at a flea market, it caused me to wonder if it was real. But for $2 I thought I would live dangerously and take a chance.

 

[Kurtas]

Nice find, Kurt! Looks like the double ring until you see that flat baseplate and long comb.

Have you tried it yet? Hopefully some Matador experts will chime in -- that's the oldest one I've seen.

Thanks, and same here. I did use it yesterday, it was agressive. And it gave me a close shave.

 

[BigJ]

Great looking razor!! Congrats!!

(Looks legit to me, but I will leave that to the real experts.)