Seemingly No 52a (aluminum? anniversary?) sets were Anniversary sets while No 52 had no specific name. As seemingly the No 52 was still available in 1955 (or even 1962 in Germany), I guess the only difference is the case (dispenser behind or under the razor). The interesting part is that aluminum razors in No 54 sets are not that uncommon. So in theory: No 52a: Anniversary with anodised or plain aluminum razor, dispenser in back of the case No 52: Same case as 52a, razor is brass or part aluminum? No 54: Rocket set with part aluminum or brass razor, dispenser in bottom of the case No 54a: Rocket set with "Parat" type razor, smaller case than the 54 No 52: Same case as 52a, razor is a "Parat" No 55: Yellow No 54 type case, "Monobloc" razor
This thread was how I originally found this website, looking for info on my daily driver (a thrift store patent-pending rocket HD), nice to see new info being posted still
Here is my take on the aluminum razors and no54 sets. It could be possible they sold the sets with an aluminum razor but no solid proof outside of I seen one with a no 54 Rocket case for sale or bought one with the case. Solid proof would be to show an advert that either says the razor is light weight like the No52a ad I posted for a no 54 or a price sheet showing the no 54 set priced with multiple prices which would imply either different plating or material of razor or amount of blades offered in the set.
"Lightweight", afaik, was only used in 1953. These were Anniversary and No 66 sets. As there are several iterations of part brass, part aluminum thick handle "Rockets" (all except door assembly, only handle, handle an knob) it's pretty hard to tell, imho, what was "lightweight". On the other hand, I never met a "lightweight" No 58, No 24 or Aristocrat Jr. ad, which exist.
You can for sure with a distributor price sheet. They always priced the razors differently when they formally offered the razor in a set in different materials or plating. If that doesn't exist then we are back to either they only did them for the 52a anniversary sets or they mixed in left over parts in the early run of no 54 sets in 1954. It is still an open question at the moment.
I think all (mostly) aluminum razors were drawn back pretty fast (as they rot together) and spares were used up later.
The No 58 set and razor was commisioned specifically for the Queen's coronation in 53. That razor doesn't exist prior. All coronation sets regardless of razor were not solid brass razors, they were either aluminum or aluminum with some brass parts and only sold in 53 far as I know. The non coronation set was issued later in 53 and was the one sold from 53 - 60.
The actual introduction of the no 54 Rocket set is late 53 not 1954 as I originally stated. This ad is dated to Sept. of 1953 The same razor in the 52a set is still being sold in Feb of 1953 so sometime between Feb. and Sept. the anniversary set was discontinued and replaced with the No 54 Rocket set.
Correct only 3 sets were commisioned for the coronation and all the coronation sets had a crown on the case to differentiate them from the other standard sets.
Nr 60 "Meteor", available at least in Norway and Austria around 1957-58. Pic source: https://wegianwetshaving.com/2020/10/gillette-meteor/
EEK! I've just come back to this thread after a couple of years and all the original pics are gone This was SUCH a resource - what has happened to them? Are they saved somewhere?
Really disappointed that all photos are gone So I've resurrected the thread in four parts on my new website. Here they are for your viewing pleasure! Gillette Rocket ID and Information - Part One Gillette Rocket ID and Information - Part Two Gillette Rocket ID and Information - Part Three Gillette Rocket ID and Information - Part Four Enjoy!
Thanks for bringing the story back to life, this was such a good thread and sad to see historical data gone. I was here about 2 years ago and you could still enjoy the photos because they are so important to the history. Something strange happened with the server? This thread has had close to 250,000 views of people wanting to learn about their Gillette rocket razors!