Gillette Serial Numbers

[TenorClef]

First post, i do apologise if this has been asked a million times before. Does any one have the link to Gillette serial numbers to date their razors. Just getting into DE shaving after 20+ years with the disposable/cartridge razors and so far purchased two Merkurs- 1904 Classic (42C) and Heavy Duty Classic (34C) a 1954 Vintage Gillette Super speed and a Gillette 'New' Style Safety Razor in Nickel Plate from the 1930s but would like to also look out for an early 1900's Gillette edition.

Links appreciated,

cheers,

TC

[MrGuy]

Is this (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/US_Gillette_Dating_Information) what you were looking for? Clicking on the wiki button along the top of the page will open up a lot of great info for you:thumbup1:

[TenorClef]

Cheers Andy, thats perfect. I guess this next question is a bit daft but is their any guide for prices for the early Gillette DE razors. I think my new Merkurs ran at about £25 each.

Cheers

TC

[MrGuy]

Not so much a "guide", but you can get an idea of what razors are going for by following the BST forum in the Marketplace, or track them on eBay. Both have trends that put prices of specific razors on roller coaster price jumps and drops, but the BST will likely stay more consistent.

[TenorClef]

Thanks Andy, very useful info.

[johnmrson]

Any idea about Made in England Gillette's? Mine has both "Made in England" and "Gillette" in diamond lozenges and has what looks like 11 stamped on it.

[mblakele]

Any idea about Made in England Gillette's? Mine has both "Made in England" and "Gillette" in diamond lozenges and has what looks like 11 stamped on it.

That could be a UK TV Special: http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece%20solid%20guard%20bar/1958%20British%20TV.jpg

[johnmrson]

That could be a UK TV Special: http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece%20solid%20guard%20bar/1958%20British%20TV.jpg

Thank you kindly.

[TenorClef]

Mr Razor has an amazing amount of info on Gillette, it has been very interesting to check his web site out. The photos are very detailed.

[SRock]

First post, i do apologise if this has been asked a million times before. Does any one have the link to Gillette serial numbers to date their razors. Just getting into DE shaving after 20+ years with the disposable/cartridge razors and so far purchased two Merkurs- 1904 Classic (42C) and Heavy Duty Classic (34C) a 1954 Vintage Gillette Super speed and a Gillette 'New' Style Safety Razor in Nickel Plate from the 1930s but would like to also look out for an early 1900's Gillette edition.

Links appreciated,

cheers,

TC

Looks like the gents have you covered. I just wanted to say welcome to B&B! Be sure to check in at the Shave Clinic and Newbie Check In.

[TenorClef]

I must confess i had hoped the Gillette serial numbers would make things easier to ascertain the age of some of my recent razors but nothing is as simple as it seems. Have a look at these photos and see if you can figure out when this Gillette razor was made.

[BBrad]

That would be a thick-handled "New" razor. The New Type was produced starting in late 1929, and continued in production until WWII.

Since this is not a "Deluxe" model, there were no serial numbers assigned, so exact year dating is not possible. I'm sure, though, that some of the resident experts could help narrow it down a bit based on comb length, finish, guard plate style, etc.

Looks like you have a real nice New on your hands . . . it is actually one of the best shavers Gillette ever made, and the last one designed by the old company prior to the merger with Auto-Strop in 1930.

Enjoy!! :thumbup1:

[TenorClef]

Thanks for the info, i don't know if this helps but it has been replated by the previous owner. Intend to give it a whirl tonight, see how it compared to my Merkur 34C.

[TenorClef]

The Gillette 'New' 1930's razor gives a very gentle shave which is also pretty close too, i'd have to say its actually better than my Merkur 34C. That could be down to a number of factors, the Gillette comb razor design and also i loaded the razor with a Gillette 7 O'Clock Double Edge which seems like a nice blade to shave with. I also got some Derby's and Feathers today so still experimenting with blades.