That is cool you found the roll guard razor complete with an original handle. They used to sell the guard by itself as a replacement for the comb style gillette guards on old type razors. At one point I had a few guards with the original packaging and instructions.
Realistically the British made Gillette Aristocrats came in 4 distinct types of razors usually designated by gens to make it easier for collectors. There are some variations in a particular gen but if you wanted shavers to use you only need to buy 4 razors to cover every type shave regardless of case or set number. When you get into the collecting end then those things become more important. https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/british-and-other-non-us-aristocrat-tto-timeline.64883/
I had one of the Guards you speak of with instructions in the box NEW and let it go after using a few times and never should have. When I saw this even in this condition I knew I wanted the complete razor they showed on the advertisement paper that came with the Guard alone.
If you want to put an approximate date on the razor assume somewhere between 1950 - 1953/54 since it doesn't have patent number on the base plate. The ones that came afterwards will have pat no 694 093 in place of patent pending.
I'd bet you 5 of your dollars you probably bought it from the same person I did who managed to come across a whole load of them and was selling them on the BST over at B&B and probably other sites. If I am wrong pay yourself then.
yes .the number is for the case.not the actual razor.they are coined by generation # 1 through 4,the small black case is a #21 which can house a second or third generation razor with a flat base plate.the fourth gen razors have a diamond stamped base plate like the u.s razors have..53-5 say pat pending,56 up have brit pat then the number.
Thanks Gary, I notice too mine has the 1 solid end cap too compared to your pic here. Got it "#22 4th generation "
Thanks Gary, I've read The Royal Crown is similar too and perhaps made by the same as the Barbasol Razor. Never used one but anxious to get and try this one.
They are. That razor head design was patented so it could have only been produced by the patent holder or under license and rebranded by a third party. The company which is called Conrad made lots of razors in the 30s and was for all practical purposes put out of business due to WWII. Their best known razors are the Clix and Barbasol branded razors.
