My grandfather's Gillette Rocket - Date Code "A"

[jerpied]

Yesterday my grandmother handed me down what appeared to be a mid 50s flare tip SS, but after taking a look at the back of the razor it is a made in England Rocket. It has a date code "A" stamped on the back. From what I've read most Rockets don't have date codes. Any thoughts from Rocket/SS owners? Also, are there any differences with its American counterpart?

 

[Copierguy]

Congrats on a family heirloom.

When the Gillette U.S. started experimenting with date codes they placed them similarly. But I do not recall seeing a rocket marked so.

 

[shavervinnie]

I can't help with the date code issue but it's nice that you have your grandfathers razor. Congrats on acquiring a piece of family history.

 

[alex2363]

That is oddly placed or upside-down. looks like a backwords 3 and upside down V

 

[jerpied]

Its unlike date codes I've seen before, it's most certainly an A, it didn't come out very clear in the picture however. Here's a clearer image.

 

[Dools]

Wonderful heirloom!!

Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy!!

 

[Mick]

Nice gift. It is not a date code as English Gillette razors do not carry date codes but I do not know what it signifies.

 

[alex2363]

Its unlike date codes I've seen before, it's most certainly an A, it didn't come out very clear in the picture however. Here's a clearer image.
View attachment 383468

The 3 is still upside down and marked on the wrong place. The date codes go on the top corner areas and start with letter [corresponds to the year] then number [corresponds to the quarter year] like this;

 

[alex2363]

Nice gift. It is not a date code as English Gillette razors do not carry date codes but I do not know what it signifies.

It is not a proper mark, maybe it could have been a error but even the stamping of the numbers and letters are incorrect. The letter should be first followed by the number.

 

[Copierguy]

There are some examples of English date codes like this one from the late 60s:

I dug up the photo from this thread. But what that "A" is supposed to mean on the OP's rocket is still unclear to me.

And this one has an "S" from this thread.

 

[jerpied]

Thanks all for the feedback! Looks like there's no definitive answer to what the A stands for, none the less I can hardly wait for my first shave with the razor.

 

[alex2363]

Thanks all for the feedback! Looks like there's no definitive answer to what the A stands for, none the less I can hardly wait for my first shave with the razor.

Does it have any other marks next to it? just A and no numbers?

 

[alex2363]

I been searching and found out that most of the newer Flare tip rockets have the A or S marks. It is not known why but most likely the newer Rockets have them under head but only on a single side of the handle.

this is from online shave site;

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/gillette-rocket-the-refined-de.8590/

 

[Copierguy]

I been searching and found out that most of the newer Flare tip rockets have the A or S marks. It is not known why but most likely the newer Rockets have them under head but only on a single side of the handle.

this is from online shave site;

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/gillette-rocket-the-refined-de.8590/

Interesting Alex.

Looking at that post it looks like the "S" type have the blunt end caps and a wider gap in the head base plate where the lift assembly protrudes through. That configuration first showed itself in U.S. Super Speeds around 1961 or so (though I'm not sure this fact is meaningful).

The OP's razor has an "A" and pointed end caps and a narrow gap in the head base plate like earlier 50s rockets.

Not enough info to start carving anything in stone yet....

***edit***Oops I just read later in that thread someone makes some of the same observations I just made above***edit***

 

[Copierguy]

And then later in that same thread (Page 2) someone shows a J-2 Flare Tip Rocket that is made like an "S" type.

 

[alex2363]

Interesting Alex.

Looking at that post it looks like the "S" type have the blunt end caps and a wider gap in the head base plate where the lift assembly protrudes through. That configuration first showed itself in U.S. Super Speeds around 1961 or so (though I'm not sure this fact is meaningful).

The OP's razor has an "A" and pointed end caps and a narrow gap in the head base plate like earlier 50s rockets.

Not enough info to start carving anything in stone yet....

***edit***Oops I just read later in that thread someone makes some of the same observations I just made above***edit***

I was thinking that maybe they were parts classifying marks similar to the I, II and III marks that classify the Super Speeds weight etc. This may be similar but for other spec designation.

 

[bakerbarber]

I have a rocket with an 'S' and one with an 'A' under them.

I read on another forum that this was on the tail end of Rocket production and normally seen on Flare tips only.

Aside form the letters 'A' and 'S' I've seen very few British Gillettes with letters and numbers. Well, beside the I, II, and III on some 58s and the red and blue tips.

Wow- I hope what I just typed made sense...

 

[jerpied]

Thanks for sharing the ShaveDen article, much appreciated.

Bakerbarber, I doubt there is but do you notice a difference in the way the S and A Rockets shave?

 

[bakerbarber]

No I don't notice a difference.

They do shave better than the American razors.