Thread: Antique store finds

I recently picked up two free razors at an antique store, both have damage, but fortunately not to the blade on either.

Both appear to come in what I assume are their original (paper? cardboard?) boxes, but I have no way to be sure of that, and no experience as to how old they could be.

Razor one:

Box says:
Gottlieb Hammesfahr Fabrik (picture of a pyramid with a + inside) Marke
Solingen - Foche

Razor is 5/8" and in good condition with slight coloring along the edge and minor rusting at spine and pin. point slopes from spine to edge like a ski-slope (french point I think, but I wasn't sure) on the tang is printed Gottlieb Hammesfahr Solingen - Foche, and on the reverse is the number 27.
The scales seem to be a black plastic of some sort, with a white spacer and beveled edge, and are broken away on one side above the pin.

Razor two:

Box says:
Gottlieb Hammesfahr Fabrik (picture of two rings crossing at the bottom edge) Marke
Solingen - Foche

Razor is 13/16"(technically incorrect I suppose, but that is it's measurement) and has severe rusting all along it's length, particularly at the tang and pin. the edge is untouched, however and has a round point and some minor scratching. the makers mark is obscured, but seems to read

...elix
solingen (assumed from the actual mark of "...ingen")

scales are rounded and made of some sort of black plastic, and have the number 127 carved (after factory) near the bottom pin. They appear to have rust on the inside.



Anybody have any idea as to when or where or by whom these were made?

Please post some photos. Get a close up on any markings.

Here are some pictures of razor #1

Sorry about the quality, my camera isn't the best. Hope those marks are easy enough to make out, but I transcribed them as best I could.

Here's the pictures of Razor #2

Kudos to anyone who cam make out the maker's mark on that through the rust and bad photography. I transcribed as much as I could see in the above post.

Gottlieb Hammesfahr was a very well known German company that manufactured steel and stainless steel items. Some of their commercial products include utensils, straight razors, and the famous swords and daggers of the Third Reich. As you could imagine the company reached its apogee during the 30s and early to mid 40s.

It is my understanding that the company didn't really recover from the onslaught of WW II and it ended up being absorbed by its big brother ThyssenKrupp Nirosta (ThyssenKrupp Nirosta: Home)

As a curious note, the ornamented top of the Chrysler building in New York City was built using Nirosta stainless steel.

Today, Gottlieb Hammesfahr products are really looked after -specially utensils. The two razors that are in your possession date from 1935 to 1944. I would say that the first one you sent photos of is an early 40s model, while the last one is mid to late 30s.

I hope my info helped.

Preussen555

Nice razors. I love that grind on the first razor; it begs for a nice pair of horn scales to the size and scale of the original scales.

Chris L

I too love the grind on the first razor. sweet looking, please post pics of it once you get it cleaned up.

Red

Apperently this is another one and not a Henkles

Nice find, enjoy!