Gugi....Just curious on what you mean by "don't see any indication that it ever had tapered spine"
Printable View
Your blade stamp certainly indicates a particular level/rank in Freemasonry but I question it's authenticity as a Masonic symbol as the square shown is greater than a 90 degree angle. Freemasons are a little picky about stuff like that and I don't think it would have been acceptable to them. I can go into this further with you if you wish to have more information but don't want to give away any secrets. :nj
I think the way the square & compass has been struck on the blade is more down to crudeness in the die rather than an intention to indicate any particular degree. Although I think maybe that I can see what you are getting at. As for Freemasons being picky, I can think of one that wouldn't mind owning it.
There is no mistaking what the symbology represents. One arm of the compasses is above the square and one is below. I don't think that was an accident or poor striking. Does anyone else have a Masonic razor so we can compare marks?
I wouldn't mind getting that one either.
I think it's just a nineteenth century brand name, although it's a fair bet that John Barber, whose brand it was, was a Freemason. Many factory owners would have been during that period. In terms of the symbolism of the Square & Compass die, which admittedly, appears to be different on the two razors in the pictures, why produce a razor commemorating a degree that one would pass through fairly quickly?