Thread: Razor ID Help?

Looks like with a little TLC you're going to have a very nice razor, 1OldGI!

Lots of rust and neglect on the blade I hope I can sand away most of it and make it functional and if possible, pretty. Gettin there may indeed take some doing.

Originally Posted by manah

J. Elliot and Wm. Elliot were not connected to this razor.
C.W. Hackett Hardware Company, 1889 - 1902, was founded in 1858 in St.Paul, Minnesota, as the C.D.Strong Hardware Company. In 1885, they became the Strong, Hackett Hardware Company. In 1889 - C.W. Hackett Hardware Company. In 1902, after two new members came into the firm, became - Hackett Walther Gates Hardware Company. The firm again changed names in 1912 to Hackett, Gates & Hurty.

I came upon this thread while researching a razor with a Strong, Hackett Hardware Co. stamp on the tang, which predates the C.W. Hackett stamp by a few years.

My primary update to manah's information is that Charles Hackett partnered with C.D Strong and a third party well prior to 1885.

There is some information in this firm in William B. Hennessey's 1906 publication Past and present of St. Paul, Minnesota; being a relation of the progressive history of the capital city of Minnesota from the earliest historical times down to the present day. Together with an exposition of the lives of the makers of history.

After describing Charles Hackett's civil war career (rather impressive), it says (pg. 591):

Seeking a broader field of labor, however, Mr. Hackett came to St. Paul in 1872 and
formed a partnership for the conduct of the whole-sale hardware business under the firm name of Strong, Hackett & Chapin. Mr. Chapin died soon afterward, and several years after Mr. Hackett bought out Mr. Strong's interest and the firm became the C. W. Hackett Hardware
Company and continued under that style for several years, after which the present firm style of Hackett, Walther, Gates Hardware Company was assumed.

The writing of this seems to imply that Strong, Hackett & Chapin were operating shortly after 1872, although that is not conclusive. However, Chapin's death would have been prior to 1879 as the 1879-1880 R.L. Polk & Co.'s St. Paul City Directory lists the following entry:

STRONG, HACKETT & CO (Charles D Strong, Charles W Hackett, —,) Wholesale Hardware and Tinners' Stock 132 E Third.

This directory also lists city residents with their occupations and places of employment. Interesting directory...

Anyways, since I had been looking at this information, I thought it would be worth documenting for others.

Love the thumb notch and jimping on top. That should become a very comfortable shaver for you. Good luck!