Help with Identity

**Radman** · 04-07-2007, 02:04 PM

Hello,

I am hoping

that someone knows what year and model this razor is. I picked this up in Roundtop Texas yesterday where there is a twice a year antique meet. The gentleman that sold it did not know what it was and was from Portland Oregon. I think it is a Big Boy model New but not sure .............the Pat on the handle says:
Pat Jan 13, 1920 U.S.A
Other patents pending

The serial number on teh head says: 54351

This is a very heavy razor and seems like it would shave like a dream. Any experience with this one?

I can supple more photos if needed....but my photos are off of my cell phone....sorry!

Thanks,

Greg

Rad...........out of control!

**paero123** · 04-07-2007, 02:38 PM

Correct! It's a BigBoy NEW type

Cheers
Pawel

**Radman** · 04-07-2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks for the confirmation on this!

Anyone have any experience shaving with this? Is it any good?

Greg

**Treedoc** · 04-09-2007, 03:49 AM

It looks like mine except mine is English made with a Brit Pat No. I thought I had an 'Old Style' so am grateful for the information. As to how does it shave?, I find it fine, a nice mild shaver although I haven't had it long and have used it only twice with a Derby blade. Mine doesn't come apart like yours, the screw up through the handle is held captive, presumably by a 'snap ring', if the snap ring broke or otherwise came adrift it would come apart though. Does yours have evidence of some means of retaining the screw?
John.

**norman931** · 04-09-2007, 05:57 PM

I haven't found a guide to serial numbers for the NEW razors. Krumholz doesn't go into them in his book; just the New Improved. The serial numbers are supposed to have a year code at the end: D for 1929, E for 1930, etc. However, yours doesn't and mine (pictured, a Belmont, I think, serial # 109701) doesn't. According to the Gillette dating page we usually refer to, serial numbers stopped in 1931, so that would date your razor and mine between 1929 and 1931. Your serial # is lower than mine, so I assume yours is older. These razors and the slightly older New Improved Gilettes are my favorite razors. I get great shaves with no irritation. If anybody has more accurate info on dating, please chime in. Oh, btw, my handle comes apart also, no snap ring. Perhaps that was a British innovation? Anyone know?

Norm

**Radman** · 04-09-2007, 07:46 PM

Thanks Norm,

It is so much fun to collect these pieces of history! My razor may have come out of the deppresion era.........too cool!

And my razor looks complete also without any broken retainer etc.

Greg

Rad is not Bad!

**Radman** · 04-09-2007, 07:49 PM

Yours is fancier with the gold and all!!

**Treedoc** · 04-10-2007, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by norman931

Oh, btw, my handle comes apart also, no snap ring. Perhaps that was a British innovation? Anyone know?

Norm

Perhaps it is a Brit thing, actually I wish mine did come apart, it would be easier to keep clean. I think I'll blast some WD40 up it's orifice. No, I won't let it get onto the blade and thus onto/into my face. BTW, nice razor Norman.
John.

**norman931** · 04-10-2007, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Radman

Yours is fancier with the gold and all!!

The silver-plated ones are easier to clean. You have to be gentle with the gold ones; you can't boil them, and you can't use polish. They apparently have a lacquer coating that is delicate. My gold razor in the picture is near mint, but I have another gold one that has all the plating worn off the head. The one I usually shave with is a 1921 silver Tuckaway, which shaves like the NEW. These are all under-rated razors, and you can get good deals on them. I guess most guys are put off by the comb, but I like the feel of those little rake teeth on my face!

Norm

**norman931** · 04-10-2007, 04:55 PM

check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...4719&rd=1&rd=1

That's a Milady Decolletee with mother-of-pearl flip-open case from the '20s. The razor itself appears to be the same as the Tuckaway.

Norm

**Antique Hoosier** · 04-10-2007, 06:18 PM

Norman...I have been watching that "Tuckaway" celluloid cased razor since it started. I would imagine it could be won with the opening bid because the seller made the mistake of calling it a "Ladies Razor". Krumholz lists that package as a higher than avg collectible value in his book which as we know has some real dated prices.

**slcsteve** · 04-10-2007, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Antique Hoosier

(snip) I would imagine it could be won with the opening bid (snip)

Not anymore

**norman931** · 04-10-2007, 08:52 PM

That little mother-of-pearl case is pretty! But it appears to be more fragile than the Tuckaway case, which could survive a nuclear blast. Then again, it has lasted 85 years or so. That's the first one I've seen.

Norm

**Antique Hoosier** · 04-11-2007, 03:41 PM

I'm testing my theory.....

**slcsteve** · 04-11-2007, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Antique Hoosier

I'm testing my theory.....

**Antique Hoosier** · 04-11-2007, 04:43 PM

Well....... my theory held up...... I hope I like it as much as the multiple Tuckaways I just sold..... I think the celluloid case is "Gender Neutral"....

**norman931** · 04-11-2007, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Antique Hoosier

Well....... my theory held up...... I hope I like it as much as the multiple Tuckaways I just sold..... I think the celluloid case is "Gender Neutral"....

Great score, Mike! You'll have to describe that case to us in detail when you get it. The white pearl material probably came from Italy. It's the same stuff that was used for years (and still is) to cover drums (my other expensive AD). Look at an old photo of Gene Krupa or Buddy Rich and you'll see that their drumkits are covered with that same celluloid material. Definitely gender neutral. It's hard to tell from the picture, but the case may actually be very sturdy.

Norm