Thread: Looking for info on this razor

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos (cell phone). My father was in possession of this as long as I can remember. Any information would be greatly appreciated. As you can see stamped on the blade is Franz Lerch / Berlin. Handwritten on the box is xxxx Schwartz / Stadtlohn / Berlin 1888. Not sure if the first 4 characters are an abbreviated name or Preface (Sir, etc.) Stadtlohn is a town in Northwest Germany. Is the notch on the end of the blade a break or just a unique blade? Thanks, Eddie


Here's a link to a full size image: http://goo.gl/hQVMEU

Think this one might even give some of the experts around here a hard time... (I'll let them prove me wrong.)

Here is all I could find after some internet digging - a photo of an original box, along with the address of "Leipziger Str. 130" (Leipziger Strasse is a major street in Mitte, Berlin). Looks like the guys on this other forum couldn't dig up any leads!





Franz Lerch, the Austrian artist was alive from 1895-1977, so don't think we're looking at him.

Doit2it, Welcome to SRP.
Unfortunately, I can say nothing about Franz Lerch. Most likely, it was reseller company.
During finding the info about Franz Lerch, I could find only
Lerche trademark, that are used by Peter Daniel Baus of Solingen. They are still in business since 1820.

As for the name on the box, I'm pretty sure it says "Gerh. Schwarz", which would be short for 'Gerhard Schwarz'.

Welcome to SRP!
Im with Alex on this razor, a Peter Daniel Baus made for Franz Lerch, furthermore i could only find 2 examples of a razor with the stamp "Franz Lerch" the one posted by Suavio and yours.

Going by the address from the razor box at 130 Leipziger Str. i came up with 5 different business covering a few decades of business, especially the photography studio. That said we know that Franz Lerch had a business at this address but it was very short lived.

Originally Posted by Pithor

As for the name on the box, I'm pretty sure it says "Gerh. Schwarz", which would be short for 'Gerhard Schwarz'.

My thoughts too. The end of the blade was made that way it is not broken.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

My thoughts too. The end of the blade was made that way it is not broken.

Bob

It doesn't look broken. The surface of the end looks smooth. The razor is at my parents house. Next time I go up there I'll take my DSLR and get better photos.

Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm pretty good at web search and couldn't find anything on Franz Lerch either (besides the artist, that is).

Doit2it

Sorry misunderstood your OP when you asked "Is the notch on the end of the blade a break or just a unique blade?". I took break to mean broken.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Doit2it

Sorry misunderstood your OP when you asked "Is the notch on the end of the blade a break or just a unique blade?". I took break to mean broken.

Bob

It doesn't look broken. There are no rough areas or stress wrinkles (for lack of a better description). I'll try to get back up to my parents next weekend for more pics with a better camera.

Prolly was originally what's called a 'Spanish Point'. The toes wear a bit and some don't see it. I seem to!