Were Featherweights ever packaged with a blade already loaded?

[albini]

I'm just curious. I recently picked up a British Ever-Ready Natural-Angle Razor, which appears to be a Featherweight. The ebay listing said it was "boxed and unused". When I got it there was a rusty Ever-Ready blade in the razor, although the rest of the razor looks clean and unused. Anyone know if they shipped out with a blade loaded? For all I know the blade is unused and just rusted because it's carbon steel.

Cheers.
Nick.

 

[dcobranchi]

The NOS SEs I've seen had a cardboard "blade" in place. Not a real one.

 

[beisler]

The NOS SEs I've seen had a cardboard "blade" in place. Not a real one.

me too

 

[albini]

Ok, good to know. Thanks guys!

Nick.