Question Re: Bostonian

[Abagadro]

So I was puttering around an antique mall and saw this thing. It was only 10 bucks so figured what the hell. Serial number is 601210B which puts it in 1925. The whole thing is the color of brass. My question is whether this looks like grime build up on gold or whether the gold has been completely stripped away. I'm thinking the latter but it seems so complete and I would think it would be a bit more spotty (i.e. still see gold in some of the groves). The three circles on the top of the head also seem to me to be a good indication that all the gold plating has all be stripped. I'm not experienced enough with this vintage of gold razor to know for sure so thought I would ask. It's in good mechanical shape with all straight teeth so is usable regardless but wondered if it was worth an effort to polish. No sense polishing something that isn't there. Sorry the pictures are a bit out of focus but hopefully they are good enough.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Abagadro/IMG_1441.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Abagadro/IMG_1442.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Abagadro/IMG_1446.jpg

[AsylumGuido]

Excellent! The gold plating may have been worn away in spots, but this razor is solid brass below and polishes brilliantly! Give it a dish soap scrub first. If you can tell the gold plating is missing give it a go with a nice polish. That head will look gorgeous if you use a polish like Flitz. But, above and beyond the looks, that is a fantastic shaving specimen.

Great find!

[thirdeye]

Very nice find. Like Guido said, give it a good polishing and you'll be very surprised and pleased at what you see. Enjoy!!!

[Starfury]

Nice-looking razor!

I love the pattern on the handle of these beautiful shavers.

[scottydoint]

Great score! I just paid $50 for a gold Bostonian and I thought that was a decent price, but $10! $10! Now that was a steal.:thumbup1:

[Abagadro]

Cool. Thanks for all the responses!

[tom myers]

If it did have all it's gold, you wouldn't want to polish it, because the polish would cut through the thin gold plating, but I would agree that, if it seems to have the gold already worn off, that is good reason to polish it. Polished brass is about as nice looking as metal gets. Unlike gold, it does need repolishing from time to time, but it should be beautiful. I believe you will find that the three circles of the studs that you can see on the cap when it is tarnished will disappear when it is polished.

The New Improved Gillettes are both great looking and great shaving razors. At $10 for a bostonian with it's case, you stole it!

Regards,
Tom