Razor (and blades) identification

[Lokar]

I've done my best to identify this razor, but cannot find any razors that look the same (at least, the shaft). As for the blades, I've only found one mention of blue Gillette blades with King Gillette on, but that would make these blades over 90 years old, which seems extreme.

I got the blades (along with the case itself) about two years ago as a gift from my mother in law - she knows I'm interested in this kind of thing, and spotted it at a flea market.

My wife bought the razor for me a week ago, for about £2. Both parts that hold the razor in are labelled Gillette, and the bottom part states "Made in England". The shaft (I apologise if I'm using incorrect terminology) has no markings whatsoever, and no parts have a serial number or anything along those lines.

About 80% of the blades look brand new, and exceptionally sharp. One or two have clearly been used a bit, and have blunted slightly.

The blue Gillette blades are marked one side with the usual trademarks, "MADE IN ENGLAND", and "P 3" above the center hole. The other side states the patent numbers:
BRIT.PATENT NOS 351944,351982,353031,401366,437233

The other blades are mostly US gilette blades with three separate holes - T.M.REG.US.PAT.OFF stated on one side, and "2249" on the other (along with the trademarks).

Lastly, there's a bunch of Swedish blades, which don't seem to be of any interest.

 

[mr-razor]

welcome on B&B!
your razor looks like a british Tech from the 70s like this one:

the blade "P3" with this patent numbers is from 1945
the case is wrong for this razor. This case comes in the 20s with a razor for the 3 hole blades. On my site you can find some examples of Gillette razors and blades:

www.mr-razor.com

 

[Lokar]

Thanks! That's definitely the razor.

There's an American blade, looking exactly the same as the very first blade you have on your website in the blades section, except that it's numbered 2249, rather than 335. Any ideas on that?

 

[Hoos]

It's not uncommon to find old Gillette blades. King's picture started appearing on blade wrappers in 1906.

The Blue Blades you have pictured were manufactured starting in the 1930s. I'm not sure how long they were in production, but they're pretty plentiful (at least in the U.S.).

 

[Oldguy]

Thanks! That's definitely the razor.

There's an American blade, looking exactly the same as the very first blade you have on your website in the blades section, except that it's numbered 2249, rather than 335. Any ideas on that?

The old 3 hole blades were date coded. If you have a 335 date code that would put the blade made in 1913 or 1923. By the way you can't use 3 hole blades with your razor.

Len

 

[Lokar]

Mine was labelled 2249, it was the photo that was 335.

As for the 3 holed blades, I worked that out when I had a quick fiddle with the razor - I'm keeping them just because it's nice to have them. The more modern Gillette blades I got work with it perfectly, and I can buy new ones if needed.


Also, thanks for the incredibly quick replies already, I didn't expect this much knowledge this quickly!

 

[Oldguy]

Mine was labelled 2249, it was the photo that was 335.

As for the 3 holed blades, I worked that out when I had a quick fiddle with the razor - I'm keeping them just because it's nice to have them. The more modern Gillette blades I got work with it perfectly, and I can buy new ones if needed.


Also, thanks for the incredibly quick replies already, I didn't expect this much knowledge this quickly!

Your 2249 blade was made between 1925 and 1929. As for your more modern blades you probably don't want to use them if you don't know how old they are or if they're coated to prevent rust, etc. Get some new blades. Do you live in the US or the UK? OK I see you're from the UK. Some of the guys should be able to help you out with what to buy.

Len

 

[Lokar]

I'm from the UK, but I live in Sweden. However, I know that new blades are readily available here, I've just not popped into town yet (and I'm waiting on an order of soap anyway).

I wasn't planning on using the blades for the reasons you stated (even the few that are still completely packaged, with the packaging glued).

Thanks for the date on the blades - I'm especially glad with the 20s, as that's one of my favourite decades in history.

 

[Oldguy]

......
Thanks for the date on the blades - I'm especially glad with the 20s, as that's one of my favourite decades in history.

To be more specific your blade marked 2249 was made in the 29th week of 1926.

Cheers,
Len