I was fishing in the bay hoping to catch a Gem Junior Lather catcher and this arrived in what the net dragged in. Its a Wedge/forged era Gem razor, based on the Z marks i can assert it was made after 1903 and probably prior to JR arriving in 1907. its odd in that unlike other 1901 models it has hinge across the entire back of the razor and there is no button open it. to open it you pull on the hinge. I have been unable to find another example like it or reference to it in A Safety Razor Compendium. Pictures are worth 1000 words can't wait to get a wedge adapter and try it out. Back of razor (note the hinge) pulling on hinge to release it to open open for cleaning Front view Top View Top View with the wedge holders up
It looks almost like that is a prototype for an "improved" lather catcher. Possibly made not by Gem (at least not the hinge attachment) but by some hopeful home inventor. The hinge looks a bit oversized and clumsy for the razor's overall design.
Maybe, but it is really cool. I'd be sticking a wedge in that baby and putting it to work. Nice catch.
Agreed. If I didn't say it before (and I didn't) that is a really neat find and a great addition to any collection. I bet Fuzzy @wchnu is jealous...
If it was, it was replated afterwards, you can see the remnants of gold plating on the back of the hinge and the wear to the hinge is consistent to the rest of the razor. Most homebrew modifications are not so carefully done. I would be more inclined to believe that it was likely manufactured that way.
A Zinn. I have not seen one exacally like that! Very neat. Yes a bit jealous myself. Looks like it will take a modern blade too. Awesome find!
Its possible its a prototype or a small numbers production. Based on the front view i am sure it must have been done by Gem/ASR. I strongly doubt a homebrew modder would have worked so hard to create the trade dress ( the z's) where the jaws close.
My work here is done.. It appears a standard blade will not work .. time to work on remediating my lack of a wedge .
It looks like it has blade stops. Usually that will work with a modern blade. What keeps it from working?
Lack of courage and a double width spine (normal for the vintage).. I am now even more curious about its place in the evolution of the safety razor perhaps a missing link or something extra fancy after the juniors came out. Not a shelf queen.
I was able to use this razor some. It was a veddy cool shave. Here is a thread that I posted it in. There is also a couple of videos. https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/trying-out-a-zinn.60890/