More on that Possible Weiss & Son
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Croaker
I think you have a new star for your collection there! Please post more pics when you can.
I thank you for the help Croaker! The razor arrived today. The gentleman in Ireland that sold it was honest enough to tell me that he wasn't sure completely that is is a Weiss and gave me the option to return it. After looking at it in person, regardless of maker I'm going to keep it. But I'm going to need some help identifying it. Both scales are beautiful ivory, pins and spacers are original, the ivory is also on the tang as in the photos, and the blade is sound.
I did put a jewelers loop on it as well as some intense light, and even wet the ivory on the tang to try and read the inscription. Fascinating! I can't quite make it all out, but I'll put as much s I can below. Also, the box has similar top and bottom, the top is very clearly Weiss & Son but the bottom (while similar) is slightly different - hard to say which belongs to the razor so I can see why the seller thinks it's a Weiss but can't be sure.
To the tang... as the photo shows, ivory covers it from blade heel to tip of the monkey tail - scales are perfectly preserved ivory on both sides. There is etching or engraving on the ivory on one side of the tang. A picture would be a LOT easier to show here but I can't figure out how to get one with needed light and magnification. So, as a try, here's what I see...
- Three lines of etching in block-like letters on the tang.
- First line contains "Fred Egglet" or maybe Fred Ecclet" - hard to say, it's readable but the shape of the G or C is tough to differentiate.
- Second line is somewhat worn so the most difficult to make out fully. It starts on the left with one of the following possibilities: E18, [British Pound symbol] and 18, or 2 symbols I can't make out that end with a "B" and a coma.
- Second line then follows with "GI," or "6T" (the G or 6 is clear but the "I" has a small T at the top and a small horizontal line below, it may be some wear or it could be that small T with an underline - seems most likely a upper case "I".
- and then the clear word "PORTLAND" which is followed by an "S and another letter or symbol - but that's under the scales. The tang was engraved prior to the scales being placed on it and the last letter would up under them - the letter can be half seen when the scales are opened somewhat.
- Possibilities for the second line are (# means I'm not at all sure what it the letter, number, or symbol is):
E18, GI, PORTLAND S#
E18, 6I, PORTLAND S#
E16, GI, PORTLAND S#
E16, 6I, PORTLAND S#
[British Pound symbol] 18, GI, Portland S#
[British Pound symbol] 18, Gt, Portland S#
[British Pound symbol] 16, 6I, Portland S#
[British Pound symbol] 16, 6t, Portland S#
##8, GI, PORTLAND S#
##8, Gt, PORTLAND S#
##8, 6I, PORTLAND S#
##8, 6t, PORTLAND S#
- Third line simply contain a "W." (a W followed by a period). Stands for Weiss maybe"
So, I guess it COULD be a Weiss but I'm stumped. In any case it sure looks great, I'm just trying to put a proper name to the razor. I'd really like to clean up the blade a bit as well as bring the ivory back to new looking. Once that's done I suspect I may just leave this for display because it looks so damned nice and unique!
On last thing, as I looked between the scales I did see dust and a hair or two along with a small amount of crud between the groves on the top and bottom of the tang (can't recall what those grooves are called, but they're on both top and bottom on the ivory on the tang). Its clearly been used some, and some level of cleaning was done, but nothing professional for sure. From what I can tell looking through the loop everything is original and in stunningly good shape.
So gents - any help at all is appreciated! A complete mystery to me! I looked at picking up a copy of Goin myself but at $699 on Amazon I'm gonna pass and rely upon Croaker and others that may have access to one!
Thanks all.
Weiss & Son - For a Londoner to Decipher!
I just cleaned up this razor a bit and can now see a bit more engraving on the ivory tang. Given that it's a name on the top line followed on the second line with what now looks more like an address - I may have something that someone in W or NW Inner London can help with.
The first line seems the same as above (a name), However, the second line now appears to contain the following:
E18, C3 (or CT), PORTLAND ST.
Followed on the 3rd line the simple letter and period: W.
Could this be a gentleman's address in Inner West London? After poking around in Google I was able to find that at some point the past Inner London had street name changes, and what was once Portland Street is now Westport Street in the District E1.
I dont know the history of Weiss & Son but were they located there at one point - or is this even an address there?
Hope that raises a memory in someone! Still no photos because I can't find a lens that will catch the etching with the magnification and light angles needed.