Were these ever sold to the general public or only presented to the Gillette inner circle as presentation gifts say to top performing salesmen and the like? I don't have my Krumholz in front of me at the moment but I don't think he ever said if memory serves. Anybody have any more conclusive information?
Some people think they were prototypes but they were definitely sold at retail but only in limited areas - maybe as part of a marketing test. I say this because I've seen one NOS bottom-dial set, complete with sales receipt and warranty card to be mailed in.
Now that is interesting. I think you are right though about the retail sales being part of limited--likely very limited--marketing test.