this post was submitted on 30 Jan 2025
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I bought this old guy at the local antique shop. It only had superficial rusting that I cleaned up with lemon juice and baking soda. No obvious brand mark anywhere and I am not really all that knowledgable about antique safety razors. Anyone have any clues? I can never seem to get pics to embed right

Edit: Ok current theory based on the information you guys have helped provide: The head is from a gillette old type, and the handle is from a gillette new long comb. I am told the handles would break on occasion.

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[–] MaddestMax@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

It looks like a Gillette Long Comb but they have stamps on the comb. Are you sure there’s nothing else marked on the comb or baseplate? If not, it’s probably a knockoff. Gillette was pretty good about stamping.

EDIT: eBay listing

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 3 points 3 weeks ago

If you zoom into the second photo, there is a serial number on the top of the base plate. But that is it.

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That eBay listing is almost identical. Could the base plate have been swapped out?

[–] MaddestMax@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I saw the number stamp. Yeah, it’s entirely possible the base plate has been swapped. It’d be a little weird. It’s not like they break. But it is possible. Enjoy!

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah either way it was cheaper than buying a brand new razor and doesn't consume more resources.

[–] MaddestMax@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Absolutely. It’s a pretty baby no matter what!

[–] snooting@sub.wetshaving.social 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is there anything stamped into the bottom of the baseplate?

It looks like it might be an early 1900s Gillette Tech, though I haven't been able to find an example that has that handle shape.

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 weeks ago

The bottom is perfectly smooth.

[–] walden@sub.wetshaving.social 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It looks to me like a Gillette Old Type. I'll try and remember to confirm that and try to find more info tomorrow.

[–] kata1yst@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yep, the head is a Gillette Old Type from 1910.

https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/wiki/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

I'm having a lot of trouble identifying the handle though, those older Gillettes almost always had knurling on the bottom... http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old%20Type/Old%20Type.htm

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It looks like it might be a knock off Gillette Long Comb. The handle is the same but the plates are slightly different.

[–] kata1yst@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The head looks authentic to me. Very common to replace the handle of a 3 piece razor if the handle breaks or to make it look different. Lots of companies were making compatible parts.

But it might be another Gillette handle there just aren't good pictures of on the Internet, they made a lot.

[–] Jake_Farm@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If you look up "gillette new long comb", the handles are identical. What makes me think the plates might be knockoff is the lack of maker's mark.

[–] kata1yst@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago

But it does have a valid Gillette stamp code on it. It may just be a Frankenstein.