Thread: 19th century Ebay razor? Please, help me identify this.

I guess the idea for the compostion is not all that recent

I have doubts from what I've learned that it really is a razor from the days of the Czars, but I'm sure it's not a Pakistani either as it doesn't appear to be anything made in the past 20 years or so (plus, it shaves sweet).

It is a bit annoying I can't get an exact fix when and where this razor was made, but when all you know is there's a snake-coiled scepter below a crown on what appears to be a nickel-plated handle, I suppose I shouldn't expect a definitive answer unless I happen to stumble upon it.

Until then, I'll just use it for what it does best... I'll shave with it!

Any clue on the technique used for the engraving (etching, scratching etc. etc.)? Is the black filled in and can it be cleaned or is that the base metal (if base metal and not stainless there will be rust). That might get you somewhere.

De Medical snake and staff have not been around that long, I think us 20th century -ers have made that one up (with all the other kinds of crosses, blue green etc.).

The using of snakes/serpents/dragons dates back, well millennia as far as I know. The snake/serpent eating it's own tail has been found in old Celtic findings (as a ring), and in Egypt and old Greece. After The Romans the serpent slowly became unpopular/unused. This can be related to the bible and religion. The snake in the tree in the Garden of Eden. There ended the worshipping, and started the fear.

I know they were used in Asia and Southern America as well, but my "knowledge" stops with "Greater Europe" on this matter.

Ehat a topic for a Sunday morning whilst I am taking my first sip of coffee after this. whaaaaah (how will I make it to the chat ...... anybody any spare viles of efidrine???)

Have a peaceful Sunday.
Hoekie

Edit:

See I needed that sip of coffee.
You should be able to get it carbon dated if you really want to know. Enjoy it.

I emailed the fellow who auctioned this razor about how he was able to obtain the information he did, this was his reply:

"Hi, The razor belonged to an Estonian man by the name of Eduard
Einamann who actually served in the czar's army around the turn of the
last century when Estonia was under Russian rule. The marking "Reval"
on the case indicates the city of Tallinn which was called Reval by the
Germans. My father acquired the razor from Mr. Einamann who was a
friend of his until he died in the 70s. I'm afraid I don't know much
more than that.
Cheers,
Sven"

Seems a stand up guy with great feedback. I'm still going to hunt around for more info, but for now it's in my shave rotation.

Era of Russification (1885--mid-1890s)

Russian nationalism strengthened in order to tie the peripheral provinces to the centre. Alexander III who came to the throne of Russia in 1881, refused the Baltic-German aristocracy its class privileges. Although the Baltic-Germans' special status was restricted through reforms by the central powers, the intense Russification policies also suppresed the activities of the era of awakening. Russian became the language in government institutions and schools, local authorities became increasingly under the control of the Russian centre, the importance of the Russian officialdom increased. Organizations in the national movement were closed down, censorship became stricter, conversion to the Russian Orthodox Church was encouraged in a further attempt to Russify the indigenous population. The society was characterized by resignation, internal conflicts, lack of activity and going with the Russification to some extent.

The Development of a Civic Society (mid-1890s--1917)

When the Russification policies expired in 1897; 986,000 people lived in Estonia -- 90.6% were Estonians, with a 77.7% literacy rate (96.2% were able to read but not to write). Development began in the metal and machinery industries, cotton and wood processing industries were established. Tallinn became an important industrial centre besides Narva. Estonia was one of the most industrialized areas in the Russian Empire, but the industries operated in the interests of Russia -- with Russian raw materials and work-force, and the main markets being in Russia. In agriculture, there was a change of emphasis from grain growing to the dairy industry, peasants became stratified. Agricultural cooperatives flourished, farmers' associations were formed.

Draw your own conclusions I'd say (on eg. letters used, 19th century dating of the razor etc.).

Good luck,

Hoekie