1938 No. 45 British made Gillette Popular Model

[Jake]

Back to 1938 in the time machine -- just to retrieve this vintage beauty in new condition...

Here it is -- a NOS #45 British Aristocratic Popular TTO open comb razor, referred to as the "Popular Model" in the period advertising and the owner's manual. This is a remarkable razor set made by the great British Gillette craftsmen and craftswomen. As stated on the shipper box bottom -- these razors could not be exported from England without written permission from UK Gillette! So I am holding it illegally and that must be why they so rarely appeared in the US. Until now. Our loss however -- back in the day, so I guess we're making up for it now.

It really is in never been used condition. Someone got it -- maybe as a gift -- put it away & now it's out in the open again -- waiting to meet up with its sisters and brothers, my other Populars. But that will have to wait for another day...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PMihlbFRMS8/TfPdTCwHjkI/AAAAAAAACJM/MU_4Ojkh40M/s512/45-0.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tZMr1uHXDeE/TfPdTZpIczI/AAAAAAAACJQ/FFobISzbB1o/s800/45-2.jpg
There was a pale blue case as well as the white/cream colored one, but this brilliant blue is a real beauty!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DVrvb67GmKg/TfPdTyK5Y1I/AAAAAAAACJU/lczeo0ZCpm4/s512/45-1.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gmzhPe1kvl8/TfPdUM3EJeI/AAAAAAAACJY/Q51HH20hFyU/s800/45-4.jpg
Is it nickel or rhodium plated?

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sYm9XOkfbrg/TfPdUmYGtiI/AAAAAAAACJc/nFvXvLT_xMI/s640/45-5.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k6ol-JQB9RU/TfPdVPu_KSI/AAAAAAAACJk/y-dqGmqoShM/s800/45-3.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7F196XFEMvw/TfPdVwWt7HI/AAAAAAAACJo/Lof1IzfvE6s/s576/45-8.jpg
And the interior screw is soap free -- the ultimate test of NOS for these razors.

[Copierguy]

Doesn’t that time machine run up the electric bill?

Nice set Jake.

[Paul12644]

Beautiful razor Jake in pristine condition. Congratulations!

[eastomjac]

sweet,id like to borrow that time machine too,

[Jake]

The time machine uses the Tesla coil -- so it is locally generated electricity -- right off the grid...

[Bestarrkin]

It is very beautiful set, Jake. My vote goes to nickel. The head part has a little yellowish tint(thanks to your good photography) when I look the handle part which is silver, I guess.

[Jake]

I think you may be right Berkin --- & I think there was a discussion about these old Populars -- that they were often done in nickel. Luckily this one is not in need of a replating.

[Sledgehammer39]

It's awesome Jake.. You always get the great scores. :thumbup:

[insomniac]

Wow. Amazing razor.

[alex2363]

Doesn’t that time machine run up the electric bill?

Nice set Jake.hey, thats my line i always use for jake.lol


sweet,id like to borrow that time machine too,
he wont tell u wat model time machine he uses......:)

The time machine uses the Tesla coil -- so it is locally generated electricity -- right off the grid...


Wow. Amazing razor.

[KM-instructor]

Sweet looking bit of English kit there, I think you will find it's Nickle plated.

[cernel_joson]

I'm really in awe of your razor collection. One of these days you have to post pictures of it in its entirety.

[ras120]

NOS? Does anybody else see the plating loss and damage that I see on the underside? With all due respect, this looks to be every bit a replate, and done poorly at that.

The handle looks strange, too. I have never seen one of these razors that didn't have BRIT. PAT. NO. 430030 stamped on the smooth band right above the TTO knob.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7F196XFEMvw/TfPdVwWt7HI/AAAAAAAACJo/Lof1IzfvE6s/s576/45-8.jpg

[Greyfox]

Another beauty Jake! Congrats

[Jake]

NOS? Does anybody else see the plating loss and damage that I see on the underside? With all due respect, this looks to be every bit a replate, and done poorly at that.

The handle looks strange, too. I have never seen one of these razors that didn't have BRIT. PAT. NO. 430030 stamped on the smooth band right above the TTO knob.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7F196XFEMvw/TfPdVwWt7HI/AAAAAAAACJo/Lof1IzfvE6s/s576/45-8.jpg

Intreresting comment -- but there is really no plating loss on the underside -- there wouldn't be any of it had been replated either. The photos were taken on a very humid day in Boston -- it stopped raining long enough for me to shoot these photos. As for the patent numbers -- they would not be obliterated by electro-replating. Interesting that they are not there. But that is simply an example of the variants Gillette is known for.

[BigFoot]

Just so know you know Jake. I have almost got my own machine built that will let me turn into a mouse and I will be riding in your pocket to figure out where you find all these Brits. You must have what 25 or so? I have one and guess where it came from?

[Jake]

Just to clarify for ras120 and his concern that there is plate loss on this #45 Popular Model, I shot a few other images to compare my other rhodium-plated Popular to the #45 (probably) nickel-plated one -- the subject of this thread.

And indeed there is a different patent number on this "newer" one. Check the new photo -- with the moisture wiped off the underside of the head:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-irYkYZBJy6s/TfU-J2Zgp2I/AAAAAAAACLk/zvfcvk9RZR8/s640/pop-0.jpg
Obviously there is no plate loss & the patent number is what you see. Now to compare this to the other (similar) razor:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DDEHinRd6jA/TfU-MDhlCZI/AAAAAAAACLw/26c9l3LWbs4/s640/pop-3.jpg
The more commonly seen patent number on the head -- which otherwise looks identical. And this razor probably was lightly used.

As for the patent number & etc. on the handle... 1st up is the newer model.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-118GbgGIxuE/TfU-KvzOANI/AAAAAAAACLs/9VgWuUvBrhw/s640/pop-2.jpg

And then the older (for me) model.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LgAedaD3uVM/TfU-Mt48YcI/AAAAAAAACL4/QjhM2rYLKwg/s720/pop-4.jpg
As expected. And as more commonly seen.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L6HNJC9OZVk/TfU-NLn_E6I/AAAAAAAACL8/fofa1Ji5Yio/s512/pop-6.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G0MsiMLC0QU/TfU-NaRGcbI/AAAAAAAACMA/x_CsQnPe7JU/s720/pop-5.jpg
Looks to me like the one without the patent numbers on the handle -- is nickel plated. And the other one looks to be rhodium. Just for the record.

And Scott -- I know I have had my share of these British Aristocrats, but I've also shared them and will continue to do so. As for you being a mouse -- doubtful! And I don't mean that in a critical way.

[BigFoot]

I am just giving you a bad time Jake. You have the greatest luck on the Brits. So are you saying you would not allow a mouse in your pocket?

[Jake]

I've had mice in my pockets -- the warm & fuzzy types, not the computer ones. But I just can't imagine you turning into a mouse. The cat perhaps -- but not a mouse. Based on my briefest of exchanges with you...

[sas71]

i have got to get me an open comb TTO

[joglander]

Would one of you please post the schematic of the time machine? I would very much enjoy a razor like this, and I certainly cannot find one around here. We buy only wind generated electricity, so it would be an entirely green trip. Thanks, in advance, Joglander

[Jake]

Secret schematics -- and even more complicated than software upgrades. And after each visit I end up finding myself inside the Time Traveler's Wife book. With King Gillette and HG Wells showing me around...

[ezmike]

Jake,

Another beautiful razor.

Mike