I found this Gold Gillette razor at a flea market, complete with tin, razor blade box and two Gillette Thin Blades. She was asking $65.00 and I got her down to $30.00. I checked the serial number on http://www.safetyrazors.net/gil_ser2.htm but did not find a matching code here. Does anyone know in what year this was made, and about the value of it? (Did I over pay or did I get a deal?) The date code on the head is E10038 All of the codes on the web site show 6 numerals instead of 5. The handle seems to be thicker then the standard Gillettes I have. Thanks in advance for any help.
I would guess that the head is a 1917; however, like you said the number of digits is fewer than normal. Unfortunately, the handle came from a tech from the anywhere from 1938 to the early 50's. If the head, box, and blade box, is in good shape then $30 may be an OK price. Its too bad it didn't have the original handle.
Gonna need more pics. It looks like a fat handle tech handle with an old type comb and cap. All I can see from what is shown. Also, try to get a pic of the outside of the case, that may provide some insight as well.
Not a happy camper right now, I looked in the bag and no razor. Not sure where it is, but isn't in the van and didn't make it into the house...
I would but not a store. The flea market is only open on the weekends, so I will be going back to check, the lady sets up the same place every time or at least has been every time I've been there.
Most of it - the case, head pieces and blade box - would be the pocket edition made by Gillette that look similar to the ones made by the American Button Company for Gillette except the handle would be a hollow ball-end handle. So the handle you have is a mis-match and goes to a later razor. Here's what it should look like:
Very cool, would the Letter+5 numerals mean anything or just not a good stamp? I did see it was made in the US. Is there a place where handles or parts can be bought to make this a proper set? I'm hoping I just left it there or she forgot to put it in the bag. My shave mugs made it home alright, will be posting some photos here later.
Not really a certain place other than online vintage razor retailers and the usual auction sites like eBay but the good news is that the old-type ball-end razors that would be found in these sets, are readily available and found very often, especially on eBay. Finding one without a crack, split or hairline fracture in the handle is another story as these imperfections in these older hollow Gillette razor handles are very common.
