SO..is this a Gillette Double Ring (DR)?

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Darkbulb, Aug 21, 2015.

  1. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Last week I bid and won a small auction lot containing three razors for $90.
    A rather high price for three razors but the reason I paid that much was because of what I thought could be a Gillette Double Ring (DR) razor. But, since I'm far from being an expert at Gillette razors I thought I'd post some photos and ask for advice. It also came with a second handle-tube that confuses me....

    Notes:
    - It has 14 teeth,
    - I can't spot a serial number or marking anywhere on the inner tube or on the head,
    - On the handle it says "PAT APPLD FOR"

    Anyway, without further ado here it is:
    [​IMG]

    Next to my Single Ring:
    [​IMG]

    They come apart in the same way:
    [​IMG]

    Another photo of it taken apart.
    [​IMG]

    Close-up of the area where it says "PAT APPLD FOR"
    [​IMG]

    Now, here's a nice twist....with the razor(s) came a second 'inner-tube' that is a perfect fit for the Gillette...it has, to my eyes, a slight difference in the knurling pattern...only visible maybe when seeing it next to the other one - at least I, think, I see a difference;
    [​IMG]

    ...but wait, there's more....
    Looking at the very base of the handle...:
    The handle with the slightly, to me, different knurling has a 'plug' at the base of the handle...with a button in it...that you can press....

    [​IMG]

    So, obviously, I'm thinking this must have been a special-agent version that allows you to store poison darts, etc in your razor....but then I started doubting that explanation and thought I'd ask more sane people. Since those people weren't around I thought I'd ask you :)

    The handle is such a perfect fit to the razor that I don't know if it was some custom job...some clone-razor handle...or something Gillette did make back then...

    Here's a short video showing me trying to destroy the razor by shoving the tip of an Opinel knife into that button:

    Video Link

    So...I guess the real big question is..did it ever come off this truck or not...?
    [​IMG]
    (Yes, I have a Gillette Toy truck..so what?)


    Oh and it came with some other razors and stuff. GEM reversible blades...two edges nonetheless.
    [​IMG]

    ANY advice or wild guesses appreciated. The less wild the better maybe.
     
    gorgo2, Chuck F, grump and 3 others like this.
  2. PLANofMAN

    PLANofMAN Eccentric Razor Collector Staff Member

    Moderator Article Team
    I still think it's a Pez dispenser.

    Nice haul. And since I know next to nothing about early Gillette razors, I will bow out of this discussion. :D
     
    youngunn, Herm2502 and Darkbulb like this.
  3. GDCarrington

    GDCarrington Burma Shave

  4. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    looks like a double ring to me.
    1) how does it shave
    2) is it heavier than the single ring
    3) what did the compendium have to say
    4) should shine up very nicely(silver method) have you tried that yet
     
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  5. Norcalnewb

    Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

    Nice haul!
     
  6. cmorris357

    cmorris357 catching flies.........

    All I know is every time you press that button, my garage door goes up.
     
  7. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    1) Just received it a couple of hours ago. Still need to figure out how careful I need to be when I clean it :)
    2) It feels pretty much the same as the SR. I don't have a good scale though...
    3) Waits'? Just some pictures. With so many clones out there I don't want to call it a DR until someone much more knowledgeable than me chimes in :)
    4) See #1
     
  8. GDCarrington

    GDCarrington Burma Shave

    Please provide any and all printing on the razor. It may be Gillette or it may be a knockoff that was made somewhere other than the US. Does the barrel have a serial number? This is the real thing below.

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    whatever it turns out to be,(and I think it's a double ring) I like it
     
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  10. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    The only markings I can find is the "PAT APPLD FOR" on the handle.
    I can't remember if the early ones had a serial number on them or not.
    I believe the one in your photo is post-patent.
     
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  11. GDCarrington

    GDCarrington Burma Shave

    Then that one would be a 1903/1904 DR razor.

    Models produced prior to November of 1904 will have "PAT. APL'D FOR" on the band near the bottom knob. Those that were produced after November 1904 will have "PAT. NOV. 15.04" on the band
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  12. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Very cool.
    Now I want to compare it to @mrchick 's razor that i believe is also a PAT APPLD FOR one.
    Maybe I'll sell him my James Bond handle...
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2015
    hippiebrian and GDCarrington like this.
  13. grump

    grump Well-Known Member

    Looks like it is in need of a little baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil. Should come out very nice!
     
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  14. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Thanks. I'm still also really, really curious about that second/spare handle with the button in it.... :)
     
  15. GDCarrington

    GDCarrington Burma Shave

  16. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    It's a Double Ring made before November 1904. It's just like the one I got recently. Nice find!
     
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  17. grump

    grump Well-Known Member

    Definitely can say I have never seen a handle like that.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2015
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  18. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Have you cleaned up yours yet and put it back into service? :)
     
  19. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    It's up for Sunday
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  20. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Would love to see it cleaned up when you get a chance :)
     

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