1918 Gillette Khaki set - Property U.S. Army

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by IAmTheJody, May 29, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Here's a set I've had for a couple of months now but never got around to sharing... I meant to post it yesterday for Memorial Day but was so busy, I never could find the time.

    It's in excellent shape save for the issue on the bottom of the case. No cracks in the handle, no bent teeth. The mirror is in excellent shape. It also has the original thumb-tacks used for hanging the mirror. Usually the thumb-tacks are always missing from the military sets.

    The serial number is J1663 which makes this one of the first made specifically for the United States Army for World War I, in the fist year of war production, 1918. I just noticed this yesterday actually and was quite surprised and pleased. I've probably seen 100+ of these and they've all been 1919 except for the one on mr-razor's web site.

    All J-series serial numbers were manufactured for the military only.

    1918GilletteKhakiSet05.jpg

    1918GilletteKhakiSet01.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet02.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet03.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet04.jpg

    1918GilletteKhakiSet06.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet07.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet08.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet09.jpg

    1918GilletteKhakiSet10.jpg
     
    IAmTheJody, May 29, 2012
    #1
    Leclec13, DaveL, ElliotR and 7 others like this.
  2. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    More images:

    1918GilletteKhakiSet11.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet12.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet13.jpg

    1918GilletteKhakiSet14.jpg 1918GilletteKhakiSet15.jpg
     
    IAmTheJody, May 29, 2012
    #2
    DaveL, alpla444, Bengkia369 and 1 other person like this.
  3. Slipperyjoe

    Slipperyjoe Rusty Metal Tetanus

    Very very nice Jody! But are you sure it still doesn't belong to the army..;)
     
    Slipperyjoe, May 29, 2012
    #3
    DaveL and IAmTheJody like this.
  4. tomnat

    tomnat accepting applications

    Nice, Jody! That is amazing that at almost 100 years old that thing is in as good of condition as it is. Very, very nice. Congrats!
     
    tomnat, May 29, 2012
    #4
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  5. fishcrow

    fishcrow Birdman of TSD

    Great find. After 100 years Jody, the quality is still outstanding.
     
    fishcrow, May 29, 2012
    #5
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  6. Neolithium

    Neolithium I am Canadian, eh

    That is a beautiful set. Every time I see one of those WWI issue sets, I've always been tempted to grab one.
     
    Neolithium, May 29, 2012
    #6
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  7. PLANofMAN

    PLANofMAN Eccentric Razor Collector Staff Member

    Moderator Article Team
    I have rarely seen such a nice set. Beautiful find, Jody.
     
    PLANofMAN, May 29, 2012
    #7
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  8. GDCarrington

    GDCarrington Burma Shave

    Excellent specimen! :signs107:
     
    GDCarrington, May 29, 2012
    #8
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  9. Conrad1959

    Conrad1959 Well-Known Member

    This one clearly never made it to the trenches! Very nice!
     
    Conrad1959, May 29, 2012
    #9
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  10. lradke

    lradke and doggone it, people like me

    Beautiful Jody! I had ever seen one look so good.
     
    lradke, May 29, 2012
    #10
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  11. Dslazar9

    Dslazar9 Took the Menthol-cratic Oath

    Thanks for sharing! I have the same razor and case-I'm pretty sure mine serial number starts with a G-does that make it 1919?
     
    Dslazar9, May 29, 2012
    #11
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  12. byrd

    byrd Well-Known Member

    Great score again Jody. I love these military sets.

    I just went and checked mine. J4263 or maybe 4268, I can't tell. From the looks of things mine spent some time in the trenches........buried.
     
    byrd, May 29, 2012
    #12
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  13. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    G would be 1918 as well but could have been a public retail Khaki set. Military sets with E (1918), F (1918), G (1918), H (1918), K (1919 and 1920), L (1920), M (1920) and N (1920 and 1921) serial numbers were sold to the U.S. military but also to the public as well at retail outlets. But J (1918 and 1919) serial numbers were sold to the U.S. military only. There were no I serial numbers for some reason, most likely because it would have caused confusion with the number 1.

    Both would be 1918 first year war production for the U.S. military only.
     
    IAmTheJody, May 29, 2012
    #13
  14. johnus

    johnus Well-Known Member

    My favorite razor '04 Gillette WW1 and before. Great looking and a fantastic shave.
    Beautiful set that you have. Specially the mirror. Really hard to find in good condition! Thanks for sharing.
     
    johnus, May 30, 2012
    #14
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  15. VANCE723

    VANCE723 Active Member

    SUPERB
    i ran across one of those a few weeks ago @ a antique market. now i know what the case is SUPPOSED to look like. the one i found was in horrible condition compared to your
     
    VANCE723, May 30, 2012
    #15
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  16. highball

    highball Member

    Nice set Jody, I have a Khaki Set # F86301 that has barber pole knurling
     

    Attached Files:

    highball, May 31, 2012
    #16
    IAmTheJody likes this.
  17. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Thanks everyone for the comments and compliments. :eatdrink047:

    1918 non-contract. That knurling is super sweet! First I've seen on an old-type ball-end! Sometimes I think employees at Gillette did odd-ball things like this, and like stamping the logo inside the head cap instead of under the guard, and stamping King C. Gillette's signature in odd places on razors - just for 'its and giggles.
     
    IAmTheJody, May 31, 2012
    #17
  18. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    IAmTheJody, Jun 13, 2012
    #18
  19. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    On this day in 1914, World War I started. 98 years ago.

    Just a tip 'o the hat to those that fought for freedom and carried these Gillette razor sets with them into battle.
     
    IAmTheJody, Jul 28, 2012
    #19
    PLANofMAN and johnus like this.
  20. Hank

    Hank Active Member

    That's a really nice one
     
    Hank, Jul 28, 2012
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page