Thread: Wade & Butcher dates of manufacture

How does one determine the date of manufacture? I just won a bid on an ebay special wade & butcher. The ad said between 1820 and 1840. In the link to manufacture info on this forum there were 2 listings for wade & butcher; 1818-1890, and one that ran into the 1900s. Are the markings on the tang different? I don't guess it matters until the mailman brings it and I can look at it. Either way, I am only out 26 bucks shipping and all; any help would be appreciated.

I don't think so that "Special" razor "between 1820 and 1840". It's impossible to define exact date. By different signs: marks, the edge form, edge type - it is possible to define approximate date. Better, is to see the razor photo.

Don't forget the size and shape of the tail. That 'can' be quite telling as well.



+1 on showing some photos once you get it.

Sometimes a razor can be narrowed down to a fairly narrow span of years.

If you go to this page here and click on the W&B link you'll find a capsule history of Wade and Butcher. Click on the "Butcher Works" link and find a more complete version. Kudos to manah for providing the resource.

Jimmy, that second link was a very interesting read. Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If you go to this page here and click on the W&B link you'll find a capsule history of Wade and Butcher. Click on the "Butcher Works" link and find a more complete version. Kudos to manah for providing the resource.

Those are pages from a Hibbard, Spencer, and Bartlett catalog. Do you know what that company is today? It's True Value Hardware!

Got in my razor today. It is in pretty good condition. Needs to be cleaned up, polished and honed. My only working camera right now is on my phone; as soon as I get a decent photo I will post it. The logo on the tang is "wade & butcher sheffield" with the circled B, arrow, and cross beneath the script.