Hello, My current understanding is that the Gillette "old style" razor came with either a thin or thick cap, the thin cap being the earlier design. What is the correct cap that belongs with a 1918/1919 army contract khaki set razor? What is the measured thickness of the correct cap for verification purposes? Thanks for your consideration.
I don't know about the thickness but according to Gillette the original old Type razors and thinner caps were designated as 102 until 1921. From 1921 until 1930 they change to 102a which are the thicker caps. They sold old types past 1930 but stopped producing them at that point since the patents were up on the 3 hole barrel blade and they switched to a new blade design aka the New razors. As far as the actual thickness I can't help you there not having one on hand to measure.
Here is the difference visually. It should be enough for you to make an identification. 102 thin cap on the left and 102a thick cap on the right.
Also keep in mind they do make reproduction cases for those khaki sets so if you want an authentic piece as opposed to a period correct you'll need to figure determine which the case is. I take it at a minimum you want it period correct since you want the razor to have the correct size cap. As far as I know it shouldn't hurt the value of the piece if anything you'll see sellers who know they have a reproduction case selling them for more to cover the cost of the case.
Based on your information it appears that someone swapped in the thicker style cap into my set, which has a base plate marked J2XXX. Is this something I can find easily without the need to purchase another entire razor or another entire set? Another question I had related to the khaki set is if there were ever any changes made to the ball style handle throughout the life of the old type razor that would distinguish whether it was civilian or us army contract? Being that I have now confirmed that the top cap in my set is not authentic, it would be nice to have some feature to be able evaluate the handle as well.
I know some of them will have patent info printed on the handle on the lower ring by the ball end. I am pretty sure but don't quote me as fact that 1918 they stopped doing that so any ball end handles made from that point on should have nothing stamped on the lower ring. To your original question there are no distinguishing feature(s) that differentiates a handle between military or civilian issue for old type razors that I am aware of. Same with other style razors except for WWII era military issued razors. It is going to be the packaging i.e. case case and/or shipper if it has that also that it came in that will be the provenance. As far as finding the correct thickness cap, that shouldn't be an issue. Old Types are a dime a dozen on ebay, it is just a matter of finding the right one and a cheap one aka a junker or parts razor if you only want a cap. There are plenty of people here who sometimes buy lots and wind up with extra parts and razors. You could try the BST and put in a Want To Buy post and see if anyone has anything right now.
A note on the handles. They also used ball type handles on the new and goodwill razors. To make sure what you have is correct and not from a later new short or long comb / goodwill razors is the later ones will have patent information stamped on the upper ring of the handle plus the patent dates will correspond to the late 20s or 30s or the lower ring will be stamped made in the USA with patent pending. The old style handles on the lower ring usually have patent date of 1914 when they are stamped. In your case no stamps on either ring should be the correct handle for the set.
The handle that came with this set is stamped on the tube above the ball end and reads Pat. Nov 15.04
some new and goodwill ones have a smaller diameter aperture where the threads are.narrower indent in the baseplate..like the new sc vs lc baseplates.
It is definitely a correct Old Type razor handle. Without knowing 100% for sure I'd say it most likely could be correct to your set. 1918 seems to be the change over year so either style should be okay.
Here is an example of a reproduction set with a replated razor. First tip off the case is a reproduction besides the fact the seller discloses it is, the condition of the case and the case has no mention of Gillette or the type of set monogrammed anywhere in the case. The link should be okay to post since it is a buy it now price. Also any legit military set usually will not sell for this much so you can assume the price is inflated to account for the cost of the replate and reproduction case the seller most likely bought to try to move an approximately $20 razor that would otherwise sit for months or longer. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gillette-O...807847?hash=item3b55569427:g:FBAAAOSwa9Nf0Ud3 some pictures. Also look at the razor it is 102 with the thin cap so either it is correct and can only be a 1921 or it isn't and was pieced together before being replated which is the more likely scenario here.
Another thing to consider is some of the Jxxxxx serial number old type razors will say property US Army with no mention of Gillette on the base plate. Those are legit and only military issue. Here is a legit khaki set on ebay right now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW1-US-Arm...786080?hash=item2f52831860:g:xCkAAOSwSSlgAGul pictures.
Iirc, all J were army property and were numbered in batches of 100 (J only ran from 1 to 7xxx). So there were 100 sets with the serial J 123.
