So I bought this 1927/28 Gillette New Standard a while back. I know it was made in 1927 or 1928 because it doesn't have a serial number. Gillette ceased using serial numbers briefly from October 18, 1927 to August 27, 1928. No cracks, splits or hairline fractures in the handle. No bent, broken, missing or chipped teeth. When I bought it, it was plated with gold - mostly. The head cap was down to the bare brass and there was a good bit of brassing on the handle. On this past March 7th, I put this razor in the hands of the postal service and sent it off to be re-plated in black nickel (hence the tuxedo reference!) by Reliable Electro Plating. Reliable is in Massachusetts and I found it fitting that after 85 (1927) or 84 (1928) years, this razor returned to its home state for some new clothes! (For those that do not know, Gillette's home town is Boston, Massachusetts) Today, April 28, it has arrived back to me. Below are Before and After pics.......
Thank you! ::git Now I can't decide if I want to keep it paired with the chrome Omega razor/brush stand or the black Omega razor/brush stand...
I dunno, seems like extra work rotating razor stands. You've got to remove the razor already in the stand so you can put in the other razor.. :happy102 Thank you! Now I'm thinking I want to go on and have my Gillette Senator re-plated in black nickel too. The pictures, or my picture taking skills, really don't do the black nickel justice on this baby. That's why I tried to contrast it with the chrome stand and the black stand so hopefully you all can see it and it not just look like tarnished silver.
Thanks! Unfortunately I've had to sell off most of my toys. Only reason I have this is because I'd already sent it off for re-plating before I was forced to liquidate my collection. More than I would have paid if they'd have told me the right price when I first inquired. When I talked to them on the phone before I sent it to them, Dale told me for black nickel it would be $30 to $35 depending on how much clean-up needed to be done to the razor. When it was ready and they called to get payment, it was $57. I wasn't happy about that but it was done and if I wanted my razor back.... I don't know if Dale told me the $30 to $35 price the first time out of error or what.. but when Karen called for payment she said "oh no, this is black nickel, it's not $30 or $35, it's $57 because we have to plate it in nickel and then in black nickel". Seems odd they'd charge the same price for black nickel as they do for gold. *shrug* EDIT: Now that I've actually looked at the invoice they included, I guess it makes sense. $45.00 for "razor, 3 parts, Gillette, clean, polish, bright nickel, black nickel" + $12.00 UPS shipping. I loathe UPS.. they are expensive and they never get to my house until around 6:30 PM.
I don't have a point of reference for gunmetal. I do for hematite. When I was younger I use to wear a cross made from hematite. They kept breaking though, so I stopped buying them. But I love the silvery black look of hematite.