Thread: "Rodgers Cutler to Their Majesty.." Date?

Recent eBay acquisition. Will need to do a restore on this stubby? Can't make out a JR logo on the tang but states "Rodgers Cutler to Their Majesty". I like the fact that it has top and bottom jimps and wedge may be original (not reground). Will try to save the horn scales with some neatsfoot oil soaking and some CA glue. Will need to reshape the damaged scales a bit as well. Will then do some rust clean up on the blade. Hopefully, most of the rust will come off and it will take an edge. Any guesses on the age of this old beauty? 1820s would be my initial guess, but would welcome other thoughts and comments. Thanks

I'd say 1820 - 1830 judging by the shape of the tail.

As I recall from researching my blade.. "Rodgers Cutler to Their Majesty" means it was made between 1837 and 1901 during Queen Victoria's reign. After her husband died in 1901 they changed the logo to: "Rodgers Cutler to Her Majesty"

Here is the wedge I found on the bay recently for a decent price imo.

aj,

I keep seeing these old stub tails, and every time I think...I need to get one of these! Of course my "thinks" don't last long and I forget to look.

Congrats on a very nice and very old treasure!! I'll finally get one...I hope!!

Regards,

Howard

There is an interesting thread here determining the age of a Joseph Rodgers knife. If post #7 is correct then dating a razor stamped "Rodgers Cutlers to Their Majesties" poses a problem. Looking at the physical attributes of the razor might be a better way to go. No expert but from the little I know I think johnmrson ballparked it nicely.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

There is an interesting thread here determining the age of a Joseph Rodgers knife. If post #7 is correct then dating a razor stamped "Rodgers Cutlers to Their Majesties" poses a problem. Looking at the physical attributes of the razor might be a better way to go. No expert but from the little I know I think johnmrson ballparked it nicely.

Bob

Thanks for that insightful link on dating JR cutlery. As I relook the tang, it could have had a WR with crown hallmark/logo at some point and would then make the wording appropriate if manufactured between 1830-1837 during the reign of William IV. Thanks for the help on this, AJ

AJ

It is too bad Neil Miller can't comment at the moment as I think he would have some answers for you. I still think, regardless of tang stampings, johnmrson had the dating right but I am no expert.

Bob

Interesting... this got me looking more into my razor.. I found an example that showed where they stamped "england" on the razors. It explained why I could see a upside down D in an odd place. My razor had "cutlers to their majesties" with England on it. From my reading that should date it between 1891 and 1901. Small enough range for me.

I find a lot of conflicting information out there on the web with regard to this. One source even talked about LTD being added to the name that might narrow it down more.

Your blade is very cool. Does anyone know how late stub tails were made? Curious. Been looking for a stub tail myself. I really like the older blades. You found a great one!

Originally Posted by Tripoli3

Interesting... this got me looking more into my razor.. I found an example that showed where they stamped "england" on the razors. It explained why I could see a upside down D in an odd place. My razor had "cutlers to their majesties" with England on it. From my reading that should date it between 1891 and 1901. Small enough range for me.

I find a lot of conflicting information out there on the web with regard to this. One source even talked about LTD being added to the name that might narrow it down more.

Your blade is very cool. Does anyone know how late stub tails were made? Curious. Been looking for a stub tail myself. I really like the older blades. You found a great one!

You might want to check this site out on blade shapes in the WIKI. The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Library It had some great info about the shape of tails IRT stubbies and dating. Stubbies are normally considered as pre 1830s or so. Hope this is helpful and welcome to SRP. AJ

Originally Posted by BobH

AJ

It is too bad Neil Miller can't comment at the moment as I think he would have some answers for you. I still think, regardless of tang stampings, johnmrson had the dating right but I am no expert.

Bob

Bob, just found Neil Miller earlier posting on this same JR dating topic. http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...s-majesty.html Believe he would agree with my 1830-1837 estimate but can't say for sure without being able to see the WR & Crown logo.
BTW the Dec 1922 Lummus article shows a SR at figure G which is very similar (different maker) to this one but Dr. Lummus dates that one circa 1815. He also mentions that scoring top and bottoms with file cuts or fluting began around 1821. As I mentioned this one has bold jimps on the top and bottom. Despite these possible earlier attributes, believe this one is closer to the 1830 date, IMHO. Thanks, AJ