Thread: T. Roosevelt Torrey razor?

Today I picked up this nice Torrey Razor. On the inside of the box (red Torrey rounded box) on the part that fits inside the cover was written in what appears to be black fountain pen ink

"Used by Rosevelt (sp) in Bad-lands (sp) Madora (sp) 1883-4"

On the other side is written

"Torrey Raisor (sp) adb/201"

From what I am able to find out T. Roosevelt did visit the Badlands, prior to becoming president in 1883 to hunt Buffalo and built a ranch 35 miles north of Medora, in February of 1884 where he lived for 3 years, after the death of his wife and mother in 1984. A hotel he visited in Medora, ND in the badlands was renamed the Rough Rider Hotel after he became president.

So, he frequented the area, the razor and box do appear, of the period though I am no Torrey Razor or Torrey box expert. (Based solely on Google search and photos)
My question is, can someone help me date the razor and box?

I don’t know if T. Roosevelt used this razor or if this is the razor that belongs in this box, but I find it interesting that I can be holding a piece, albeit a small piece of history, in my hand. Either way, I bought a nice Torrey Razor with good Horn scales in good condition for… ten bucks.

I would appreciate any light anyone may shed on this interesting mystery.


Thanks

I Wonder if there would be any way to dig up provenance on the razor, maybe see if any straight razor historians talk about him and his razors.

Looks pretty sweet though.

Yea, it would. I was would like to date the razor and box to see if they fit the time period.

The spine on the razor is unique, with a step in it.

The razor and scales are in great shape.

Thanks

In IMH I think the razor is later than 1883-4. The spine of the razor looks like the Little Guard model but the tang shape on this one is a little different. The early brand stamps I think was a fishing rod but I have seen the US arrow logo on some early letter heads. I have never seen a Torrey with original horn scales.
Neat old razor. Thanks for letting us look.

Interesting razor, the early Torrey's stamp was a whip. The step on the spine of this razor was to attach a comb like on the picture below. Somewhat similar to the Torrey Little guard, but they were others example as well.



And the 1895 version of a guarded razor.


i also believed the razor is newer then 1883, nevertheless you can write anything on the razor case but without provenance it means absolutely nothing. that said cool razor anyways.

My feelings exactly, if one were asking big bucks for it. In this case the seller could care less, whoever wrote on the box probably did so to commerate the occasion, now if this is the same razor that belonged in the box, is another story.

And that is what I am trying to resolve, if possible. If anyone would know, it would be someone here.

If I can date the razor and box and if they are of the period, perhaps I will send the information and photos to one of those TV shows, that have the time and funds to document a thorough historical investigation, analyzing the ink, locating and interviewing the owners.

It would be interesting though futile, I believe razors were as common as fountain pens in those days and were probably used and shared without a thought.

Until then, I will keep it off the buffers and hones. And if not... another shaver to the stable!