Thread: Really from the 1780's?

What do you think?

c. 1780's ~VERY EARLY~ Unusual Antique STRAIGHT RAZOR - eBay (item 360312115571 end time Oct-30-10 17:00:22 PDT)

I am nowhere near an expert, not even a novice in dating razors but it looks quite early to me and has two major signs I'd look for. Almost no tail, and no step up from blade to tang. I believe the snubbed tail lasted into the late 1800's but my memory could be wrong and the stepped blade/tang was much earlier than that. I'd be interested in what the scales are made of looks like a possible real tortise shell which I think looks quite nice but again only guessing

If it is a fake, it's much better than the Chinese/Colonial razors that keep showing up on eBay.
I doubt it's from the 1780s, but that's just gut reaction. I would guess early to mid 1800s but your best bet is if someone can recognize the crown insignia and can place it to a particular manufacturer.

Logo looks like Wolf with a paw print to me.

Thanks so far.

It's old, but how old is debatable many of the clues are not there any longer...

The tail is broken away. I think from the pics
The MM is worn away
The original blade contour is unknown from wear

The scales and washers do not look quite as old as the razor, but I am not positive of that...


IMHO 1780 hmmmmmm

1800-1830 yeah more likely

I hope that helps but take it with a grain of salt

JMS, Neil Miller, and Mannah might help you even more

Glen, you came to the same conclusion I did but you sure sounded a lot more knowledgeable doing it!

It's possible it's a John Shepherd (trademark, Crown and wolf)
If so, that would dated it from 1770-1795.
Just a guess.

I'd guess it's somewhere early 1800's

That razor is in pretty rough condition , but I do believe it to date to the late 1700's - 1810 . The shape of the scales , the large pin washers , and stubbed tail , lead me to believe this .

Certainly looks all-original - if you enlarge the photo the scales have ridges/layers so they are either horn made to look like tortoiseshell or the real deal and the mark on the tang appears to be a crown. Earlier razors tended to go straight on into the bevel from the underside of the tang, but this one looks like it might once have had some sort of slight demarcation point between the two - the honing over the years has removed any reliable evidence, though.

I don't think it is John Shepherd - the crown is probably a sovereigns mark and - just by way of conjecture - it could "W" and "R" on either side of the makers initials, signifying King William IV, who took the throne in 1830.

Interesting razor!

Regards,
Neil