A tiny history question.

First, I am a history teacher, so this question has been bothering me a bit. Secondly, I love World War One and straight razors, so this has been bothering me even more.
I see so many razors that are on auction as "World War One Army razor", but I dont know that any country involved in the conflict ever issued razors to the soldiers. I could be very wrong. Is there an actual governmental issue razor for the armed forces of any of the combatant nations? I am 100% sure that you guys know the answer.

And are the Torrey blades with the US and arrow military issued exclusively?

Check Strazors.com
They have info on qutie a few razors

Very familiar with Strazors, but with all of the blades marked "Army" and "Navy", there is no way that they are all military issue. Kind of like saying a Wade and Butcher "Washington" razor was made for George Washington.

The only info I have is some are clearly marked. There have been several manufactures that had Army and Navy models and USMC. For WW1 the UK gathered razor, from donations and hot stamped them with letters and number. I’m at work until the 24th so I cannot show an example of those but I bet there are others that can.

My grandfather had a "shave kit" which was originally issued to him
by the U.S. Army in WW1. It contained a DE razor, not a straight.

As I recall, it looked something like this:
Great War Militaria

Yeah Gillette got a DE contract to supply them, I think.

I thought it was common knowledge DEs were issued by the U.S military during WWl.

We know the DE's,but I am asking about the others. Trying to get a definitive answer from the experts. You know the web is full of bad info.

There was a newspaper appeal here in the UK around 1915 for any spare or old razors (straights) and they would be sent to the Sheffield Cutlery firms for refurbishing. Then sent out to the troops. The razors were usually fitted with Blonde Horn scales many with a small very feint W^D on the middle of one scale. The Soldiers number was also often branded on the scale. Thousands of razors were collected.
I've been looking for a link to back this up (a photo of a letter is around somewhere on the net).
Before 1916 a Soldier was required to grow a mustache, this rule was relaxed in 1916 and clean shaven was the norm, probably to allow a better fit of the gas masks.
One of the razors in my collection with the W^D mark on the scale, the razor made by John C Cockhill, Sheffield.

https://storage04.dropshots.com/phot...411/131325.jpg

Attachment 287495

I have a WWI issued Hunter & Sons I was actually able to trace to a specific soldier. That is, once I was able to figure out which of the three George Turners who were in one particular battle were the George Turner who was in the correct unit.

More often than not, the records for this sort of thing are incomplete or entirely missing (you can thank the Blitz), but every now and again one is traceable.

Also, at one point I'd dug up the requisition information from the US Government purchasing razors from Clauss corporation for WWI era troops, but I'm having trouble finding that thread now.

Straight razors do not appear to have been common goods for US soldiers in WWI, but they were used, apparently by the Marines.

I have seen references in the past to razors that had their owner's regimental number (or equivalent) marked on to the scales and I know of at least one Canadian example where the razor was reunited with a descendant of the soldier in question via that number. Now, whether that razor was issued officially or whether he took his own overseas or acquired it in the UK before shipping to France and marked the scales to help prevent its disappearance is another question. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrZ

First, I am a history teacher...

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This had me chuckling: from one historian to another, is there really such a thing as a "tiny question"?

:rofl2:

Have seen various Sheffield razors marked " Army Razor" on the blade and "Made for the Army" on John Heiffor razors. Also W&B razors marked M&D (Malitia and Defense) Canada on the blade from the WWI period. I do not know if they were issue or private purchase items.

Bob

JMO, I have seen quite a few straights with the broad arrow cut / stamped into the blade itself. They are usually a medical razor but not all were. I have also seen a few with the mentioned Broad Arrow and W^B on the scales with a numbering also.
As to de, se, the us bought from any and everyone for WWI and WII. Gem Gillette, Autostrop and a few others.
JMO~Richard

This is what I love about SRP. A store house of information is at your fingertips. Thanks to all of you fine gentleman. I knew Voidmonster would have some info, and he did not disappoint. As usual, I am in awe.