Thread: Antique Gartian razor question

Sorry for the long story, but this is my first post and I'd like some input from the SRP family.

Unfortunately for me I don't spend as much time as I'd like on my razor hobby, especially studying up on historical facts regarding obscure antique razors. The other day I got on eBay during lunch and came across this old looking Gratian and thought it was interesting, so like most of my eBay bling I bid on it... roughly the price of a meal at Geronimo's in Santa Fe... and ignored it (It's my psychiatrists idea to help break me of the eBay/SR addiction I regret). Darn if I didn't win the bid and now I am dealing with the detective instinct to find out how old this thing really is and if it is a legitimate Gratian because some day I may want to sell it, but I can't bring myself to scam someone by representing it as an antique from late 1700's to early 1800's when I don't know for sure. The "Gratian" stamp on the tang compares favorably to other photos I have of a much newer looking 1830's Gratian, and the blade style & shape looks similar to mass produced European blade styles of the 1770's I've seen in photos from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

A post from "Martin 103" last year about George Washington's Gratian was fascinating. Washington was wealthy and I'm sure he had several razors, and I don't believe in any way it could be one of his, but having this identified as a real Gratian around 200 years old would be nice to know. I know photos have a limited value in really dating this thing; I at least want you to see what I'm talking about.

For all I know a member of SRP listed this razor and knows more. If I'm talking about *you* please send me a private message and we'll chat. Otherwise, I'd like your opinions or advice before I start spending the time and $ to run this to ground with professionals. Hey, no rush here.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. BTW, what's the oldest razor in your pile?