Maybe French? Razor identification help please??? Lotsa pics!

Found a few amazing finds last night doing the flea market thing, and was instantly sure about the Bresduck "Lifetime", however I took a chance on this large nice $12.85 straight.

It reads Caudron but no matter how I search I cant seem to find much about it. The smalltown shop had it marked "Old German razor" but I really think its French.

Either way I love the heft of the blade and will do a small amount of restoration on it to get it shave ready, and would really appreciate any history help or possible dating. It seems to have a "smile" but very little hone wear, could this shape be the way the blade was made?
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While I can't ID the razor, the imprint on the tang sure looks French to me: "Caudron" is a name used in France, and there's a Rue des Grands Vieziers in Arras, a town in northern France, not far from the border with Belgium.

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

While I can't ID the razor, the imprint on the tang sure looks French to me: "Caudron" is a name used in France, and there's a Rue des Grands Vieziers in Arras, a town in northern France, not far from the border with Belgium.

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Thanks, even Google translate couldnt make sense of it. Translation said Gravel road 12. There is a 12 at the end that is hard to see in the pics.

Looks French to me, both in name and grind.

A better shot of the tang stamp would be helpful.

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Originally Posted by chrismiller273

Thanks, even Google translate couldnt make sense of it. Translation said Gravel road 12. There is a 12 at the end that is hard to see in the pics.

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My pleasure!

So, the "12" helps confirm that the second line is in fact an address: 12 Grand Viziers Street, Arras, France!

(Ya gotta love Google Maps!!)

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Originally Posted by Wullie

Looks French to me, bit in name and grind.

A better shot of the tang stamp would be helpful.

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Sure no problem.
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

My pleasure!

So, the "12" helps confirm that the second line is in fact an address: 12 Grand Viziers Street, Arras, France!

(Ya gotta love Google Maps!!)

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Wow. That is neat, I wonder if addresses as Makers marks predate makers marks or, dates it older then the normal start of makers marks in that era?

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Originally Posted by chrismiller273

Wow. That is neat, I wonder if addresses as Makers marks predate makers marks or, dates it older then the normal start of makers marks in that era?

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That could also be the name and address of a vendor rather than a manufacturer.

No help on that razor but I have the exact same bresduck. Used it today. Great shaver.

That French razor should clean up nicely. I think the blade profile has more to do with how it was honed not made but will shave well regardless once honed up. I would go along with Cangooner in thinking that the stamped name and address would be for a vendor not manufacturer. Congrats on both finds.

Bob

Thank you all so much. I forget that European vendors did the same as American and would add their stamp.

Well it has been established that this "Caudron" razor is definately french. it looks to be in good shape and im sure it will clean up very well.

Furthermore about "Caudron", it was actually a store of cutlery in Arras, originally at "Rue des petits Veziers" and later a "Rue Saint-Dennis".
As you can see on the invoice below from 1923 the store was selling pocket knifes, butcher knifes, razors and sharpening and honing and repair.

That said cant really know who the maker is but its French, made for Caudron. Probably sometimes around the turn of the century give or take a few.
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Wow! This little exercise has really been fun! :)