Thread: GB Anchor or W&B Anchor? Quick BIN Auction.

Was surfing around eBay last night and stumbled on an BIN auction for some fairly beautiful straight razors.

One of which was a blade only, GB or Wade and Butcher Anchor razor for the whopping price of $89.00! It's on it's way to The Gentleman's Den now for some new scales.

It has a thumb notch, which I quite like, and while having the Anchor stamp, it has neither the Iron Cross and the GB mark, nor the Wade and Butcher makers mark?

Interesting, any ideas?

Nice score Phrank !Is it a 7/8 at the toe ? Could it be a William & Samuel Butcher or Wester Bros ? I read somewhere that the Anchor signified a blade from Birmingham rather than Sheffield . I am interested also so I hope others chime in.

Nice Blade. Getting that pitting maybe a pain in the A$$.

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

Nice Blade. Getting that pitting maybe a pain in the A$$.

Agreed - I won't feel Valery's pain.....

Originally Posted by Phrank

Agreed - I won't feel Valery's pain.....

Sure you will...in your wallet.

The W&B 'Goodlad' anchor is shown below, right - note the curved anchor rope:



As far as the anchor standing for Birmingham, this load of tosh was dismissed summarily quite a number of years back. The Anchor (Birmingham), The Lion (London) The York Rose (Sheffield) and the Three Towers (Edinburgh) are only used by the Precious Metal Assay Agents of each place mentioned. Razors, being made of steel, do not follow any assay mark regulations. The only place on a razor where you may find assay office marks are on the scales, eg those made of hammered, cast or filigree silver.

Regards,
Neil

Thanks Neil - I had also heard the "Birmingham" statement was false as well.

I have a GB Iron Cross Anchor and a W&B Anchor, this one is strange in that it lacks the makers mark of either the Wade and Butcher, or the GB stamp.

I have also heard the interesting rumor that many of these "anchor" type razor's were simply stamped with an Anchor and sold to sailors as a marketing tool...again, another rumor I'm sure.

The one pictured above is interesting in that looking at the Anchor stamp, it doesn't "look" similar to the other anchors...have to wait till I get it in hand...but interesting nonetheless.

Still haven't been able to figure out who made this Anchor razor pictured in the first post, but after this thread re-activated:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post374179

It leads me to think from the Anchor shape it may be a Wade and Butcher...but with nothing else on the tang, or any marks denoting it's been removed, I'm wondering if there are any other razor makers known for using the Anchor mark?

Originally Posted by Phrank

Still haven't been able to figure out who made this Anchor razor pictured in the first post, but after this thread re-activated:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post374179

It leads me to think from the Anchor shape it may be a Wade and Butcher...but with nothing else on the tang, or any marks denoting it's been removed, I'm wondering if there are any other razor makers known for using the Anchor mark?

Haven't got a clue, but I wonder if it could have been stamped with the anchor and then stuck in the pocket of a workman who wanted one of his own ? I mean before the W&B was added ..........

Neat old collector, but methinks not a shaver? Gonna be a lot gone as it smooths out!