They are made by Gillette, have open combs, and have decorative handles. Unfortunately, they are Double Edge Razors, and this is the Straight Razor section. They can bring a pretty penny, if you have the decorative case with it.
I have 2. One I believe is an old head. The other has triangle teeth. I am by no means an expert. Pull from this great community. But there are 2 heads as far as I know.
No, the nubs, that protrude, underneath are shorter, and more rounded, on the ABC's. From what I remember. I have a few tucked away.
There are 3 different combs. They will all have a thin cap. The later combs will look like the comb on the far right. There are different handles; 3 different Shell handles, a Scroll, Floral, Empire, a solid Round Ball on the end, and a solid thin handle with a smooth ball and flat end. These come in either Gold or Silver. These last two have their origins in with the Canadian ABC sets. Then, there are 6 different case designs: Plain, Basketweave, Shell, Floral, Empire, and Leather. The first 5 come in either Gold, Silver, or Gun Metal(Black).
Here are mine. I’m proud of all of them but I’m not nearly finished trying to get them. Lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have a Floral Handle ABC, and it is one of my favorite razors. Not just from a looks standpoint, but also one of my best and favorite shavers!
It all started with a desire to get some “birth” razors that would represent my grandparents and I couldn’t stop at four. First, there are 3 different shell handles, at least 2 handles that were unique to Canada, but most likely 3 or 4, in addition to the other 3 ABC handles. Then there are the 4 different stages of case evolution. And finally the 6 different case models: Plain, Basketweave, Shell, Floral, Empire, and Leather.
Since you don't see many Leather kits, here's mine. It's pretty beat up, but lets face it, it's leather over paste board and over 100 years old. Some days I feel like it looks and I'm half its age.
Of all my ABC sets, I’m most protective of my 505! I shave with the razor, but don’t travel with the case.
It was a partnership between Gillette and American Button Company starting around 1908 if I remember correctly. They really are great looking and unique razors and cases. Fairly rare, I suppose, I've never come across one in the wild before. But I keep my eye out.
The 1908 date seems really solid, yet I have seen a serial number that matched 1907. It was online, and not a hands-on look. So, I keep the door open to the possibility, yet question the probability of 1907 as the earliest date.
