Is this an ABC razor?

[Hair apparent]

Got this razor, has a serial number , but no Gillette diamond or other markings. Is this an ABC razor ? If not, what is it?

Serial number is PC128718

 

[Hannah's Dad]

No — looks like a Ball End Old Type — possibly from a military set, depending upon the serial number. Nice efficient shaver (if the teeth are straight)!

 

[Tanuki]

ABC handles (not my photo)

See @Blue-EyedSon 's excellent ABC thread.

 

[Hair apparent]

No — looks like a Ball End Old Type — possibly from a military set, depending upon the serial number. Nice efficient shaver (if the teeth are straight)!

I was confused by the lack of Gillette stamping and the handle is much thinner than other OLD types that I have.

 

[Hair apparent]

Handle on the left is from razor in question, handle on the right is from an OLD type razor.

 

[Tanuki]

The serial numbering is also unfamiliar. Perhaps a Gillette manufactured outside of North America?

 

[Hair apparent]

The serial numbering is also unfamiliar. Perhaps a Gillette manufactured outside of North America?

The razor is a mystery. when I found it, I saw the serial number and figured the Gillette stamp was hidden by the patina. When I cleaned it up, no stamp. The teeth are correct for a Gillette, same spacing and amount of teeth. I've never seen a skinny handle like this one.

 

[Hannah's Dad]

The razor is a mystery. when I found it, I saw the serial number and figured the Gillette stamp was hidden by the patina. When I cleaned it up, no stamp. The teeth are correct for a Gillette, same spacing and amount of teeth. I've never seen a skinny handle like this one.

It does seem unusual, and the ball looks bigger than normal.

 

[romsitsa]

Yes and no.
The razor is a Canadian, reffered to as "thin handle ball end". Although not an ABC handle, Canadian ABC sets came with such handles (there are variants), so it can be called a Canadian ABC. But as @Hannah's Dad wrote, these also came in military sets.
Judging by the serial I'd say it's an early example, so an ABC case would be more likely.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Canadian smooth ball end razor maybe?

Edit, Romsita beat my to it. I thought pocket edition instead of ABC set?

 

[Hair apparent]

Yes and no.
The razor is a Canadian, reffered to as "thin handle ball end". Although not an ABC handle, Canadian ABC sets came with such handles (there are variants), so it can be called a Canadian ABC. But as @Hannah's Dad wrote, these also came in military sets.
Judging by the serial I'd say it's an early example, so an ABC case would be more likely.

Well, being in Canada, it would make sense that it might be a Canadian, still the lack of a Gillette stamp makes it a curiousity.

 

[romsitsa]

It is Canadian, only Montreal used a PC serial (most likely pocket Canada). Gillette markings weren't introduced until WW1 on razors.

 

[Tanuki]

It is Canadian, only Montreal used a PC serial (most likely pocket Canada). Gillette markings weren't introduced until WW1 on razors.

@romsitsa is a renaissance man of Gillette history and of razors in general, going well beyond history. Razor repair and re-engineering? I was hoping to hear from him when I posted needing Fatboy repair advice. And I did!

Amazing members make this a fascinating forum.

 

[romsitsa]

Gillette markings weren't introduced until WW1 on razors.

Hm, actually didn't write the whole truth. While the Gillette diamond wasn't introduced till 1915 an all razors, some US ABCs had a large diamond stamped cap and British ABCs were double stamped on the cap and comb (but these could be later then 1915).

 

[Hair apparent]

It is Canadian, only Montreal used a PC serial (most likely pocket Canada). Gillette markings weren't introduced until WW1 on razors.

Great information. Thank you for sharing.

 

[DblD]

I can't find the post now(it was Old), But that razor was from a set Gillette made in Canada. Possibly an ABC if any were made in Canada. That Handle is solid and Much thinner than a Ball end. I was confused when I received mine in a lot when it arrived and when I tried to look it up I found info that it was from Canada.