So I picked up this Rubberset (below) for an OK price on the Bay. The seller speculated that it was a prototype for the model 100. But that seems odd to me. I just received it today, and it seems like its to the same specs as my black Contract Ever Ready (1943 OQMC)(U.S. GI Quarter Master Issue). At the time Rubberset also made black Contract OQMC brushes. Could this one be a Contract Rubberset just in white? Anyone know what actual model designation these were given? Here you can see an example of both Rubberset and Ever Ready OQCM brushes near the top of the page: http://www.usarmydatadepot.com/qmc___class_29_8502.htm Here is another example of the Contract Rubberset handle that was posted here: https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/rubberset-erskine-and-stag-brush-restores.33913/ Aaaaand here is the one I just got:
Yup checked there (the Archive of it) no mention of these Rubberset versions. They do have the Ever Readies listed in the "No Number" section. There are versions of both with light and dark boar bristle out there. As seen on the Web Archive below both came in boxes dated 1943. Ever Ready came in packages of 12 while Rubberset came in packages of 10, both with the outer package showing the Quarter Master information. Although OSSB doesn't show any Rubberset, I think Rubberset started earlier and produced more, as there are still WWII venders that carry them. Also if the 2017 image from Picclick is correct Ever Ready may have made a Green version and possibly other colors... Ever Ready on OSSB: https://web.archive.org/web/2018110....com/other_manuacturers/other_ever-ready.html Google results for 1943 Quarter Master GI issue Shave Brushes: https://www.google.com/search?q=oqm...ru3jAhXDHzQIHXaYBKEQ_AUIEigC&biw=1366&bih=693
Ok @Weasel640, the best I've came up with (in my research), is that after the late 20's it was made mandatory that all shaving brushes sold in the US had to be permanently marked in some fashion with the words "STERILIZED". This was to show that the natural knot was sterilized to prevent the spread of anthrax. When the US went in to war, the war department demanded that all brushes that they contracted manufactures to make, omit the statement "STERILIZED". Whether it was prevent selling on the open market or make the soldiers uniform in there issued equipment I'm unsure. I have found it NOT unusual to find large lots of Rubberset brushes for sale, still wrapped and boxed; presumably military surplus from ages past. I believe that the military issued brushes up the Korean war and possibly including Vietnam. I hope that helps.
Hhm so this Brush got have come as a later Quarter Master issue, up to the 70s... I assume the used Boar bristles in these to keep cost down?