Thread: Interesting old coticule find (lots o' pics)

This might be more appropriate for Show and Tell, but I thought folks here would be more likely to appreciate it for what it is. Especially those of us with a soft spot for the coticules.

Got this off eBay, on a gamble. When I first saw the picture, I thought it might be a very old coticule. Then I thought it couldn't be a coticule because it was so thick, with no combo/slate backing to support it, maybe it was a Dalmore Yellow or something. But the description said "smooth like marble" and "may be petrified wood", and I took a chance.

It dates back to at least 1842 by the inscription, and is 9.5" L x 1.25" W X 0.80" D (24.1 x 3.2 X 2 cm) , with a wonderful old patina that is thick and worn very smooth. It comes in an old oak box, with an ancient little leather strop. I partially lapped it just enough to confirm it while leaving the rest of the patina intact, and compared it to my other coticules under a microscope. The texture, the lines, and the beautiful garnets under the scope confirmed it for me, comparing it to my other cotis. I've already refreshed a razor with it.

Pardon the so-so pics, I was afraid a light box would wash it out too much. The first is a full shot of the partially lapped stone. It is still quite usable, but is dished about 1/16" just above the inscription on the edge, and I hesitate to lap it across the entire surface because it would take off the top of the inscription (see second photo below):



Hand inscription dating 1842:



The entire kit, with the box, coti, and strop:



The reverse of the stone, with the patina intact:




Close-up of one end of the partially lapped surface: