Smooth ball Gillette Open Comb

[Sled Dog]

Picked up an interesting razor set today..although I'm not sure if its a matching set..
The case has a fair amount of wear to the plating




I was trying to match this case on Mr Razors site and other Google'd sites but the latch is different than the other cases of this style




The bottom has the patent info


Missing the blade case




No markings on the bottom plate


The left left pin is shorter than the right...odd


Serial number...the "9" at the end looks like an after thought




Slight plate loss on the edges of the top plate


Side by side with a 1918 Army razor,,,you can really see the short pin and that the razor total length is shorter


Handle differences


I did read a thread on a similar razor
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ht=smooth+ball

Mine also has that "crack" at the end of the handle


I am curious as to whether it belongs in the case.
The handle from the 1918 is longer and does not fit good in the slot of the case.
The wear in the case fits the smooth ball perfectly, if it doesnt belong, it seems to of lived in this case for along time.

I assume dating this odd Canadian razor is nearly impossible.
There was a small sticker on the bottom of the case that someone had written "c 1910"
I see Mr Razor dates this style to 1910/11
Is it possible that it could date to the pre-diamond years?

Thanks for any info you can supply \
Kevin

[kirk 988]

what a looker

[Sledgehammer39]

Looks gorgeous!

[MacDaddy]

That latched style case is the oldest Pocket Edition style, and as best as anyone can figure those "PC" serial numbers seem to also be early razors out of the Montreal plant, so I see no reason to doubt that the set could be proper. I can't say as I've ever noticed one cap stud shorter than the other, but that's pretty strikingly noticeable on yours. No idea what could have happened there. I love these thin ball-ends, though.

[mikeon]

drink an alberta premium and have a shave my friend, it looks gorgeous

[celestino]

Kevin, great find and enjoy the shaves, eh!

[Sled Dog]

That latched style case is the oldest Pocket Edition style, and as best as anyone can figure those "PC" serial numbers seem to also be early razors out of the Montreal plant, so I see no reason to doubt that the set could be proper. I can't say as I've ever noticed one cap stud shorter than the other, but that's pretty strikingly noticeable on yours. No idea what could have happened there. I love these thin ball-ends, though.

Thanks!! I noticed I missed a 1909 Pocket Edition on the Mr Razor site with this same case.
From what I understand, this would be an ABC case, correct? Maybe the handle is an ABC made handle??
http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old...%20Taupier.jpg

[BBrad]

I believe that handle is unique to Canadian Gillette Old-Type Pocket Edition razors.

Also, the typical "Old-Type Crack" runs lengthwise to the handle . . .

Certainly a beautiful razor, not commonly found! Congrats!

[MacDaddy]

I believe that handle is unique to Canadian Gillette Old-Type Pocket Edition razors.

Correct. The Canadian plant seems to have been doing its own unique handles for their Pocket Editions during the time that the American plant was using the ABC handles. In addition to this style, we know of at least a couple others. The "nut-end" handle:



And the "real ball-end" handle:

Also, the typical "Old-Type Crack" runs lengthwise to the handle . . .

He's referring to the "scratch" between the knurling and the ball end that I believe is a manufacturing defect unique to this particular handle style.