Is it really that old???

I'm trying to find out more about my Wade and Butcher razor(it has "Special" with an arrow through it, a B and a cross on it) and I came across the 'Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation' which states Wade & Butcher operated from 1818-1890. Is this razor really that old or am I mis-reading something? Seems pretty incredible, wow.

Thank you much,

Jacob V.

Follow this link to manah's site here and you'll find that W&B ceased production in 1959.

Thanks Jimmy,
That seems more realistic. Is there a way to narrow it down more somehow without going into carbon-dating?

I believe the Specials are some of W&B's newer razors; if it says "England" on the tang, it's at least after 1890, but I'd guess it's even newer than that.

I had a really nice Special that I will always regret selling. My impression is that it was probably a 1920s or '30s piece but I'm not sure. Just going by style and scales and that sort of thing. Mine was a quarter hollow 6/8 with celluloid scales with Special and IIRC an arrow embossed in the scales. Had it been horn I would have figured it to be older.

I'm with you, Jimmy. I would guess 1920's - I just didn't want to be the first to make the guess.