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We found this Gaines a few weeks ago while out antiquing. I was in broken ivory scales but we got it for a song. I have some other broken ivory scales kicking around and will try to make a set of the pieces this weekend. I haven't been able to find any info on this razor and the only marking on it is the name 'Gaines'. Does anyone know where this was made and/or other info?
I don't really have any info, other than she looks pretty old (which I'm sure you already know), and she's a nice looking blade (and I'm sure you knew I'd think that too, and you probably agree since you picked her up). Clavichord might be able to help; I've found he's a great source of information on older blades. I'll give him a heads up.
wow great find Joed. I love back of the blade. You are doing excellent work.
Thanks Holli! eheh! Well, this is a difficult one.
The surname (?) seems really uncommon for the Sheffield/Hallamshire area, since in Directories of 1852 and 1857 there are no Gaines/Gains, so it could be that the razor cames from a different place.
In the "freedom books" of Hallamshire cutlers (Sheffield area) I found some Gains, that I suppose could be a different form for Gaines:
1. Gains Edward, son of John (labourer), Rotherham; apprentice to Wilkinson Robert (cutler), for 8 1/2 years from 1761;
2. Gains Edward, son of Edward, apprentice to Wostenholme Henry (cutler); Freedom in 1776
3. Gains John, son of Edward (cutler); apprentice to the father for 7 years from 1790;
4. Gains Luke, son of Edward, apprentice to the father (forkmaker) for 7 years from 1799.
A table of Freedom years:
1770 c.ca > Edward;
1776 > Edward;
1797 > John;
1806 > Luke.
I'd say that the blade could date to the 1815-1830 period, but scales and pins could be of some help to be more precise.
One side of the scales were broken, I will try to get a pic of the unbroken one up later today. Thanks for the info.
I came up blank also on this maker. Nothing in Genuki, Trademarks on Base Metal Cutlery, Goins', and Victorian London Directories. My guess is that Gaines was a vendor and not a cutler. The razor likely was made in Sheffield and sold elsewhere with the Gaines stamp. I really like the blade! What grind type would you assign to to it? It is not a full wedge, but looks pretty heavy duty.
I would have to say it is more of a wedge than any other type. It really doesn't seem to have any type of hollow on it. It's definitely uniqueQuote:
Originally Posted by Croaker
Here is as good of a picture of scales as I could get without digging out the light box. Scales are pretty much straight, Not much of a curve to them.
Hope you succeed in getting it clad in ivory scales again, they are beautiful! I have a razor of similar age (by the tang and scales early 1800's for both of ours), with broken horn scales. A tragedy, but someday I am going to restore this GB wedge. When you look at the blade profile, it seems to be a true wedge, whereas yours has a slight concavity tapering toward the edge, though it still can be called a wedge. Ithink that many wedges are actually more of a 1/4 hollow grind, looking at my own. I really love the unique blade profile on yours! Sad that the makers of the Gaines and GB blades have no surviving information thus far, unless someone can enlighten us.
The Gaines blade remebered me a Luke Bishop razor (see my #86) for the fat tang and the roundish point, not so common between Sheffield blades of this period (L. Bishop acquired Freedom in 1802 and I guess my blade is about 1815-1820).
[OT - Fantastic hypothesis for Croaker :): GB > George Bishop, father of Luke; same square-flat back section and flower washers of my L.Bishop razor]
..just free thoughts to explore blades with a taste in common..
Clavichord, thanks for the hypothesis, and it could be correct. This problem of GB + is driving me crazy! I am sure my razor dates back to pre-1830, but cannot find a photograph of this trademark anywhere....does someone know for sure? The closest I came was finding a reference to Alfred Field using this trademark, but no photo examples.Quote:
Originally Posted by clavichord
To me that looks like the same GB mark that used the anchor brand. Note the cross above the GB
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...n-dscf0110.jpg
Thanks! The GB and cross do look the same. Another clue...I will keep researching using the anchor. BTW, that is one hell of a nice choppah!Quote:
Originally Posted by hoglahoo