Old Type Date

**tsv** · 05-19-2011, 04:25 PM

I've got an Old Type that I am not sure of the date on. It is a Single Ring and silver plated. The Handle has the Pat Nov 15 '04. The thing that is weird is that their are no other marks on it. No serial number. Nos Gillette arrow or Made in The USA. What do you guys think?

**Mako72** · 05-19-2011, 05:40 PM

That should make it from 1904. Gillette started serializing them at some point in 1904 but they were made without as well. Either that or the base plate was replaced but then it should have had a repair serial number. If anyone else knows more I am sure they will be along shortly!

Jay

**mblakele** · 05-19-2011, 05:47 PM

From Oct 18 1927 to Aug 27 1928, there were no serial numbers used - but by then I would expect "Made in..." and a Gillette diamond logo. So my guess is that it's fairly early, I think pre-1917. If it has the Nov 1904 patent date, then it should be later than the early 1904 unnumbered razors - right?

Maybe they missed putting the serial number on this one? Or it was on the knob insert and that was replaced by a previous owner? Or possibly the serial number has worn away? Even more remotely, it might be a clone that for whatever reason decided to copy the patent info.

**tsv** · 05-19-2011, 06:05 PM

The plating is in very good condition. There is no way that a serial number could have been rubbed off. The date code chart seems to indicate that they started serializing during the run of the Double Ring.

**MacDaddy** · 05-19-2011, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by mblakele

From Oct 18 1927 to Aug 27 1928, there were no serial numbers used - but by then I would expect "Made in..." and a Gillette diamond logo.

That was during the time that New Improveds were being serial numbered, though. None of the post-patent Old Types after the cut-over would have been serial numbered.

The fact that it's got a patent date on it tells you that it's at least from before the original patent expired in 1921.

Originally Posted by mblakele

Or it was on the knob insert and that was replaced by a previous owner?

This is a possibility. The handle and guard plate section could be from a razor with a stamped barrel, and the barrel from a razor with a stamped guard plate.

Are you sure there's not even a hint of a stamp anywhere on the barrel? The guard plate's usually pretty easy to spot something on, but I've seen some barrel stamps that you'd easily overlook unless you were really scrutinizing it. They seem to wear more, too -- the twisting inside the handle over many years, no doubt.

**Sode** · 05-29-2012, 07:46 PM

I'd like to bump this up again, I just found another Old Style that has the patent info, but no other markings. Anyone have an answer to this mystery?

**alex2363** · 05-29-2012, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Sode

I'd like to bump this up again, I just found another Old Style that has the patent info, but no other markings. Anyone have an answer to this mystery?

lets see the pics. where is the marking?

**alex2363** · 05-29-2012, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

That was during the time that New Improveds were being serial numbered, though. None of the post-patent Old Types after the cut-over would have been serial numbered.

The fact that it's got a patent date on it tells you that it's at least from before the original patent expired in 1921.

very good Porter....

T

**Sode** · 05-30-2012, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Sode

I'd like to bump this up again, I just found another Old Style that has the patent info, but no other markings. Anyone have an answer to this mystery?

1909. That's what it means when I can't find the serial number until AFTER I let it soak in baking soda and aluminum foil.

My face is red.