Late 40's Super Speed - Or Is It??

[Newfie]

I have this razor that I always thought was a late 40's SS, but I noticed something today that made me think different, and then upon closer inspection, 3 more things popped up that make me wonder.

(SWMBO is out with the camera and I'm not even going to try doing justice with the CrackBerry. I'll post pics tomorrow if needed.)

It looks like this, obviously late 40's SS (the one I have has no date code):

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Image:47_SS.jpg

........... except for it doesn't have the 3rd groove, the one on the non-rotating part of the handle. That was the first thing I noticed.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the bottom of the head doesn't have that diamond shape where the date code is normally stamped, if applicable, as shown here:

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Image:47_SS_4.jpg

The side bars on the SS shown in the first picture above have more or less square ends, whereas on the one I have, the ends of the bars are tapered to a point.

Lastly, when my razor is open, the handle end (knob) is tight against the non-rotating part of the handle whereas on the one shown above, the "knob" is tight against the handle when the silo doors are closed.

So, anyone help me or should I wait 'till tomorrow and post pics of the one I have?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Oldguy]

Where was the razor made? You might have a Rocket. The Super Speed knob is tight against the handle whether the doors are open or closed. Also is the end of the handle solid or open?

Len

 

[AsylumGuido]

It is definitely a Rocket, or a Parat. They have the pointed end caps and look like the 40's SS.

 

[heirkb]

It sounds like an Aristocrat Junior. He did say that the bottom was not diamond shaped, therefore it must be a flat baseplate. Rockets and Parats are diamond based and Aristocrat Juniors are square baseplated, right?

 

[mr-razor]

Is the handle hollow (Super-Speed) or solid (Rocket / Parat / Aristocrat jr.) and what can you read inside and under the head?

 

[Newfie]

Thanks for your help guys.

Turns out IT IS, in fact, a Rocket.

http://countryjoescollectiblestuff.com/media/images3/english-rocket.jpg

Mr. Razor, the knob is solid and on the back it says:

BRIT.PAT NO. 430,030

Gillette Made In England.



I don't guess there's any way to identify these as to exact year?

Thanks again.

 

[fidjit]

It's an Aristocrat Junior to be specific.

As you mention, there's no diamond shaped silo.

Mr Razor shows them as 1949 , which generally means he's got/seen an ad/pricelist to confirm that date.

Thats the closest you'll get with Brits cause there's no date codes on them.
'
For more information on Rockets ( including the Aristocrat Jrs ), see MTGraylings post on The Shave Den.

Lots of useful info there

Nice razor

Love my British Rockets, HDs and Aristocrats.

Enjoy !

 

[mr-razor]

It's an Aristocrat Junior to be specific.

As you mention, there's no diamond shaped silo.

Mr Razor shows them as 1949 , which generally means he's got/seen an ad/pricelist to confirm that date.

.....

I know the year 1949 from the blades in my set (the 1948 Aristocrat jr. has no endcaps). 1953/54 the Aristocrat jr. comes with a Rocket style head Patent Pending

 

[fidjit]

I know the year 1949 from the blades in my set (the 1948 Aristocrat jr. has no endcaps).
[

The #48 is "hollow" handle as well if memory serves me correctly

 

[Newfie]

OK, first off, thank you all very kindly again for your posts and assistance.

However, that being said, I need someone to 'splain the difference between the Rocket and the Aristocrat Jr.!!!!

Both look identical to mine, and hence obviously to each other.

Is it just a case of different packaging and marketing?

 

[fidjit]

However, that being said, I need someone to 'splain the difference between the Rocket and the Aristocrat Jr.!!!!

It's assumed that the Aristocrat pre-dates the Rocket.

This is because the head doesn't have the diamond silo, something that was "common" on the earlier Brits like the #16, #15 or #21.

This is the way to tell an Aristocrat from a Rocket.

See the comparison in MTGrayling's post.

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9206

Left is an Aristocrat...flat.....Right is a Rocket ..... Diamond.

The consequence of this is that the Aristocrat is heavier than the Rocket ( 73g vs 61g ).

The rockets came in the stryene cases, the Aristocrat Jr came in a blue "leatherette" style case.

Really, that's about it as far as I'm aware........

Wouldn't stress too much, just use it, the Brits are a great shave

 

[Newfie]

SNIP>>>>Left is an Aristocrat...flat.....Right is a Rocket ..... Diamond. >>>>SNIP

OK, so then it's clear where I made my error. Maybe the Rocket in this link is incorrectly identified??

http://countryjoescollectiblestuff.com/media/images3/english-rocket.jpg

 

[mr-razor]

The #48 is "hollow" handle as well if memory serves me correctly

you are right

OK, so then it's clear where I made my error. Maybe the Rocket in this link is incorrectly identified??

http://countryjoescollectiblestuff.com/media/images3/english-rocket.jpg

yes, this link shows a 1949 Aristocrat jr.