Thread: Mappin & Brother SR help

My previous thread has not a good and explicite title -- SORRY--

Hi,
I am Laurent, I am biginner with straight razor shaving and I begin with the restoration of old razors, (see my short introduction in biginner category).

Recently I bought a SR Mappin & Brother (see pics), I paid it 2€ (2.7$), I guess it's a good value, but I would like to know more about this SR.

I already read
Mappin Brothers - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Mappin, Joseph & Brothers "Unspecified" 7/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

and other threads about Mappin & Brothers, Mappin & Webb ...

if someone knows something :
manufactured period,
I guess the scale is ivory, exact ?

And last question: if the scale is in ivory, can I use Epoxy to repair some scratchs, like I read in some threads about Ivory.

Your knowledge about Ivory repair and Mappin & Brothers brand are welcome

{{Sorry for may bad and poor english, rectifications are welcome !}}
Kind regards,

Laurent

Hello Laurent!

Mappin & Webb have always been held in high regard for first-class jewellery and silverware. Although associated with the London premises, the company began life in Sheffield sometime around 1800. Joseph Mappin, an engraver, had two sons, one making a mint in brewing, the other (also called Joseph) as a maker of knives and razors in Norfolk Street, Sheffield with a partner - the company was called Arundel & Mappin. The sun trademark comes from this period and was granted in 1810.

Eventually Joseph Mappin (junior)'s son Frederick joined Arundel & Mappin. When Joseph Mappin (junior) died in 1841 Frederick took control of the company and soon employed his three younger brothers. In 1845 they took over William Sampson & Sons and in 1851 they opened the Queen's Cutlery works in Sheffield - one of the largest establishments in Sheffield. In the same year - 1851 - the firm was renamed Mappin Brothers.

Family disputes split the firm - Frederick left for a senior partnership in Thos Turton & Sons at the Sheath Works and his brother Newton founded Mappin & Webb in 1868. Mappin Brothers was still run by the two remaining brothers (Edward & Joseph), but it was in decline and taken over by an Irish company in the 1880s before being bought by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1899.

Newtons career was quite illustrious and he bought back Mappin Brothers from Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1903. The company was absorbed into Mappin & Webb and by 1909 cutlery and knife manufacture slowed down and was eventually discontinued altogether.


The scales are most probably ivory - most of Mappins high-end razors were cased in ivory scales. If the scratches aren't to deep they can simply be sanded out - ivory is a real pleasure to work with and behaves much like a dense, fine-grained timber. Successive higher grits of sandpaper will get you to the point of a satiny shine, and buffing will restore the full glory of the ivory. Stains (other than surface grime and dirt) become embedded - especially around the pivot where they used thin brass washers that stain the ivory a greenish tinge if the razor isn't dried properly. Over-enthusiastic use of oil at the pivot area seeps into the ivory and gives it a semi translucent 'soapy' look - this is next to impossible to remove, too. Don't be tempted to use any harsh cleaners - lemon juice is OK so is toothpaste or a fine abrasive polish, but bleach and solvents can destroy the grain structure leaving the ivory wooly, dry and prone to split.

Regards,
Neil

Regards,
Neil

Thanks Neil. I tried to find such detailed info about Mappin.

Hi Neil,
many thanks for your knowledge about Mappin and Ivory !!
I also saw strazors.com

Do you have an idea about years old of this SR ?

cheers,
Laurent

The razor was made approximately 1860-1880. IMO.

Laurent - I would agree with Alex: 1860 - 1880 approx.

Regards,
Neil

1860 - 1880, nice !!

I guess it's the oldest SR I have.

Many thanks Manah and Neil !!

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Hello Laurent!

Mappin & Webb have always been held in high regard for first-class jewellery and silverware. Although associated with the London premises, the company began life in Sheffield sometime around 1800. Joseph Mappin, an engraver, had two sons, one making a mint in brewing, the other (also called Joseph) as a maker of knives and razors in Norfolk Street, Sheffield with a partner - the company was called Arundel & Mappin. The sun trademark comes from this period and was granted in 1810.

Eventually Joseph Mappin (junior)'s son Frederick joined Arundel & Mappin. When Joseph Mappin (junior) died in 1841 Frederick took control of the company and soon employed his three younger brothers. In 1845 they took over William Sampson & Sons and in 1851 they opened the Queen's Cutlery works in Sheffield - one of the largest establishments in Sheffield. In the same year - 1851 - the firm was renamed Mappin Brothers.

Family disputes split the firm - Frederick left for a senior partnership in Thos Turton & Sons at the Sheath Works and his brother Newton founded Mappin & Webb in 1868. Mappin Brothers was still run by the two remaining brothers (Edward & Joseph), but it was in decline and taken over by an Irish company in the 1880s before being bought by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1899.

Newtons career was quite illustrious and he bought back Mappin Brothers from Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. in 1903. The company was absorbed into Mappin & Webb and by 1909 cutlery and knife manufacture slowed down and was eventually discontinued altogether.


The scales are most probably ivory - most of Mappins high-end razors were cased in ivory scales. If the scratches aren't to deep they can simply be sanded out - ivory is a real pleasure to work with and behaves much like a dense, fine-grained timber. Successive higher grits of sandpaper will get you to the point of a satiny shine, and buffing will restore the full glory of the ivory. Stains (other than surface grime and dirt) become embedded - especially around the pivot where they used thin brass washers that stain the ivory a greenish tinge if the razor isn't dried properly. Over-enthusiastic use of oil at the pivot area seeps into the ivory and gives it a semi translucent 'soapy' look - this is next to impossible to remove, too. Don't be tempted to use any harsh cleaners - lemon juice is OK so is toothpaste or a fine abrasive polish, but bleach and solvents can destroy the grain structure leaving the ivory wooly, dry and prone to split.

Regards,
Neil

Regards,
Neil

Man...you're just a walking encyclopedia of razor knowledge Neil. I love reading these blurbs from you.

Thanks maestro

I have some Mappins in my family way back before 1776 .George Marppin was a Rev. war veteran on our side so that got me wondering if he was a brother of Joseph that came here to forge a new life in the colonies. My Mom & Aunt are the geneologist's in our family. I got Mom on the case now & I am sure Aunt Jody will be on it soon. I guess there was a French spelling very early & it was changed to the present spelling in the late 1600's or early 1700's.
I will let you know what we find out.

Slawman

If I am not mistaken the blade shows unmistakable signs of celluloid rot. Maybe French ivory rather than real ivory? If in doubt remove the scales!