Any information regarding Joseph Smith & Sons?

[Synack]

I recently picked up this razor from Ambrose here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1311108&postcount=30

I absolutely love the way this thing looks. Just curious if anyone has any more information about the company or a possible manufacture date.

Vintage Blades lists another razor from the same company. Their description is:
Joseph Smith & Sons - "Celebrated Razor" - Sheffield, England - c. 1824 - 1890

Does this sound about right? I'd imagine that this much aluminum must have cost quite a bit back then.

I also noticed some numbers stamped on the inside of the scales 02 - 10. Anyone know if the company was still operating in 1910?

Thanks for any info. Just curious because I'm fairly certain this is the oldest thing I've ever owned...

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=17808
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=17809

[gugi]

i'm not sure the scales came with the razor.
there's uniclectica, but i suspect that's where jim got the dates too.

[leighton]

I agree about the scales.

Dates sound right. Good sheffield steel

[Neil Miller]

Joseph Smith & Sons operated from 1825 - 1953. Joseph Allen & Son of Sheffield took over the name in 1953.

A lot of scales have numbers in them. I suppose that they were an aid to assembly - certain types of blade were assembled with certain types of scale. The process was sub-divided in the factory, with different people making parts, then the cutler assembled the parts together.

Not sure that those scales belong to that razor.

[SavantStrike]

IDK about the scales either for several reasons, not the least of which is that people more experienced than I am are also not sure about them :lol:. That said it's a gorgeous blade that probably shaves beautifully.

The style of that blade suggests it's pretty old - as in 19th century old, and probably mid 19th century at that (wedge). I'm just guessing now but I figure that if aluminum was still an exotic material when they were made, the scales themselves would have been made fancier to allow the owner to flaunt his wealth. Perhaps an engraving, or at least cast aluminum with a design in it, and probably aluminum pins instead of the copper ones that are there.

Remember in the mid 19th century, aluminum would still have been as valuable as gold. It wouldn't have even been available in any kind of quantity until the late 19th century. More likely than not, those scales were made during the 20th century. That's cool too though as it means whoever owned it at the time was still using it half a century later.

[Synack]

Thanks guys. If it is rescaled it was done very well. The blade is still nice and tight; It's also just plain cool seeing that much aluminum flexing slightly when opening.

This one is definitely a keeper!