My oldest is a W. Greaves & Son. They produced razors from 1780-1816. Based on what I've seen I'd put mine towards the end of their production.
Cool thread - post more pics of these awesome old razors!
I shaved with a sharpened clam shell yesterday, does that count?
What version GtP scuttle is that in your pic? I like the color!
There was a period when razor makers stamped razor's tangs with the current monarch's initial, followed by an 'R' for Royal. VR, then, denotes that a razor was made during Victoria's reign, WR during William IV's reign and GR during George IV's reign. So I date my Greaves, which is stamped 'GR,' to have been made between 1820 and 1830. At least 179 years old and one of my best shavers.
cool thread - post more pics of these awesome old razors!
There was a period when razor makers stamped razor's tangs with the current monarch's initial, followed by an 'R' for Royal. VR, then, denotes that a razor was made during Victoria's reign, WR during William IV's reign and GR during George IV's reign. So I date my Greaves, which is stamped 'GR,' to have been made between 1820 and 1830. At least 179 years old and one of my best shavers.
It's always hard to tell dates for sure. Manufacturers were always changing names and production facilities. Some companies would make razors for other companies under different names, etc. I'd recheck the dates you have for Greaves though- they produced until 1919 at least by some accounts. Yours looks at least mid-1800's to me. Regardless, guys do use late-1700's straights.
GREAVES, WILLIAM
Shefflield
1780-1816 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
WILLIAM GREAVES
Sheaf Works, Sheffield
ca. 1820 - 1858
WILLIAM GREAVES AND SONS
Sheffield
Built the Sheaf Works (first large factory in Sheffield) in 1823-6
1816 - 1850 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
GREAVES, W & SONS
THOMAS TURTON & SONS LTD
Sheaf Works, Sheffield
ca. 1845 - at least 1919
Heres my oldest. Flower & Co. circa 1790.
My oldest is a W. Greaves & Son. They produced razors from 1780-1816. Based on what I've seen I'd put mine towards the end of their production.
Heres my oldest. Flower & Co. circa 1790.