Antique French Razor - Identification & History

[MolotovSoup]

Hello! I am new to the site, but was hoping I could find some insight here

I was recently given this old straight razor by my grandmother. I don't know much about its history.
I have sound some similar styles to this on Google, but not this specific model.
The one side is stamped '42 Severin Paris' which I can gather is perhaps a model number and place of manufacture.
The other side is worn down, but the 'SRD France' is clearly stamped, overtop an arrow.
The text atop this logo is too worn down, but it seems to begin with either a 5 or capital S.
I think it might be "SR Droescher", as I have found some old cutlery (chef's knives) accompanied by the same exact logo.
Am I barking up the right tree here?

Any insight or knowledge would be appreciated. I'll include photos of the razor and the logo I found on the knife online. The other stuff it came with was from around WW1, 1918 or so. Not sure if the razor is that old or not.

Jake

[PaulFLUS]

Hi Jake and welcome to SRP. I don't know that much about French razors but I'm sure that someone who does know more about them will chime in.

That said I believe the SRD is o be the initials of the maker name which should clear.up whether that is a 5 or an S. As far as age it appears contemporary in style to a Sheffield razor from the 1850s-1870s. Again, I am not the authority on French razors but British cutlers, particularly Sheffield but also London, Leicester and a few other hubs set the world standard at that time.

Some more pictures that include a full view both sides would be helpful but I can tell you the scales are horn, most likely buffalo as those don't appear to be dyed. I'll do some searching to see what I can find but I hope this was of some help.

I hope you stick around to participate more. Tell us more about yourself: if you plan to use the razor b if it's an heirloom, if you are straight shaving already; if so, what kind of gear you use.

[PaulFLUS]

Well here's a start.

https://strazors.com/index.php?id=34...ingen_germany_

I did find it curious that the name was German if it was French made. The Paris stamp would suggest it but maybe it's a model name. If it was made for sale in America it would name the country after 1891 but if it were made for other markets it may not...

Just some additional thoughts.

[MolotovSoup]

I appreciate that! I included a couple more photos with full-views of both sides. It didn't like the original resolution, so I had to compress them a bit to upload.

As for what I plan to do with the razor - I want to keep it as is, but create some kind of display with the other pieces it came with. There was a hand worked/engraved mess kit, along with a gasmask, filter, postcards, patches, and pins from the war. I was thinking some kind of acrylic or glass case with foam or cloth.
Unfortunately, I don't have a ton in the way of facial hair, for a 30 year old. It is what it is... but shaving isn't something I get too particular with. I would be afraid to accidentally damage the razor if I attempted to restore or sharpen it.

[sharptonn]

Welcome to the forum!
SRD was a big importer and an American barbers supply/wholesaler.They sold lots of things from lots of places. I expect they made nothing.
Except money in their time. Razors, strops, hones, etc.

This implies that this razor was imported and stamped SRD in the USA for that market.

[Steve56]

S.R. Droescher was an importer in many countries including the US.

My guess is that tis is a German razor intended for export to France. 42 Severin was probably the address of a shop that commissioned that particular razor/batch, though I cannot find a street named Severin. There are however, a hotel and church with that name.