Thread: 18th century bone razor handle

Unfortunately the guy who found it only gave me a little time to take photo's of all the items seems like its one part of the handle the other side is missing with approx 25mm at the end of it where it was joined. I think this means it was one piece of bone with the channel for the blade cut into the handle.

I'll contact the guy and try and get some more photos

Hadn't thought of burned in I'll have to get another look at it.

Thanks for all the replies it's been very helpful. As mentioned it was one of about 15 items this guy found, forgot to mention musket balls and a small cannon ball. As a historical society we often hear of these sort of group finds but never get to see or verify if they are real or just someones imagination. Anyway we'll keep looking into the rest and I'll post here if we can work out how these came to be in one small area. Really appreciate your time. Cheers

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Looks like bone or possibly antler. The decorations were made with a brace bit, probably by the owner.

Production razors were made and finished by the most skilled, especially in ornamentation. The uneven layout of the design and execution, indicate the hand of the owner. Also, the thickness of the scale, if it was from a razor. Many wood replacement scales of the period, are thick and clunky.

The pin and small domed bolster, are more consistent with later manufacture, late 1800’s, early 1900’s.

Is the other side flat?

I will have to disagree here - I would say there is a chance the pattern is original to manufacture. These sorts of patterns show up quite a bit on late 1700s / early 1800s horn scales:





As far as what the handle/scales belonged to, it could have been a knife or other tool as well. It does look like there is an area that was covered by large collars.

Thanks the round decoration looks the same I'll post some more photographs. Cheers