So I was at an antique show today in Iowa and me and the Future SWMBO were browsing the selection. Came across very few razors, about 5 total in t he whole building, but found one that I could not resist purchasing. It cost less than the $6 admission fee!
here is my vintage Le Grelot
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/5107/dsc00687m.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22
As you can see the blade is well tarnished with some active rust but the edge is in decent shape, decent geometry (slight smile which i consider pretty normal). The handles are Horn i believe from the grain and look. The were not properly drilled on the pivot end so the scales don't line up correctly. Also the blade has to be guided into the scales as not to hit the handle.
So we go on to the makers mark closeup.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2151/dsc00689m.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22
Le Grelot Hospital. First impression was maybe used in the medical field for who knows what? But found later that it appears P. Hospital was a maker of sorts marked on many of the Le Grelot's you can find in searches. Note the lack of Country of Origin and city. I suspect this to mean it is pre 1881? I believe that was the date of the mandatory Country stamps IRRC.
Reverse side of the tang
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2862/dsc00688q.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22
Depose
I have no idea about this. Google brought up the word "file" as a translation from french. That's up for speculation I think. Maybe some version of warrant or guarantee. Idk
and lastly the blade etching
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5704/dsc00690r.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/476/dsc00691gl.jpg
Shot with DSC-T200 at 2009-11-22
I know it's very hard to see but the etching I can make out for certain is seen in the first photo. "Soleil" is the last word of a three word phrase. The second picture shows a faint "Le" I believe to be the first word. In the middle I can barely make it out at all I thought "Ful" or maybe "Eul" It's hard to say.
Any other thoughts on the blade would be great, I wanna hear what you guys think.
Some final stats slightly larger than 6/8ths wide. 2 3/4 inch blade length and about 1/2 hollow ground.
Thanks for reading!
Chase