The Great Mystery

[veckus]

Hey, recently mounted this razor (cause its gorgeous), and wanted to learn as much as possible about the history. Problem is, it is the greatest anomaly I have ever witnessed - the more I learn the more strange this razor becomes

[pic 2] says Allen & Sons.. assuming this is referring to Joseph Allen & Sons, and the Sheffield would indicate post 1890.. Joseph Allen & Sons was liquidated in 1933 placing the age between those ranges. Problems arose when I looked to the Wolf trademark in an attempt to isolate the manufacture date more precisely.

[pic 1] this Wolf trademark never belonged to Joseph Allen (to my knowledge), but rather to John Barber. The logo was then purchased by Joseph ELLIOT & Sons around 1900.. so why is it on an Allen & Sons razor? I also can't find any information on Joseph Allen & Sons having a workshop in Granville either.. There has to be something I am missing, but I can't find any more information to indicate otherwise.. any help is appreciated - driving me crazy

[gooser]

her is some info ... and also if it were post 1890 it would say Sheffield,England .. ( i believe )

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...sheffield.html

[UrEnki]

From another thread:

The original firm of Allen & Son was founded in 1818 and based at Granville Works in Granville Street, Sheffield. They made small knives and used a sort of masonic trademark of compasses and steel square. Robert Allen died in 1898 after which (1902) the firm and its rights was acquired by Joseph Elliot. Joseph Elliot & Sons trademark was two reversed 'C's, one either side of a maltese cross, but they also bought the trademarks used by other companies such as Barber, Wigfall, Lockwood Bros, etc. One of those companies used two maltese crosses. Not sure about three crosses, but Joseph Elliot's were taken over by other companies, which I suppose gave the other companies the right to use their own and Elliot's trademarks?

Regards,
Neil

Original thread here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post668223

Also, it's the "sheffield, england" mark that indicates post-1890 (maybe 91 or 92, I forget the exact date), "sheffield" alone means pre-1890.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Whoops, looks like I type slow, I got beat to the punch.

[gooser]

From another thread:



Original thread here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post668223

Also, it's the "sheffield, england" mark that indicates post-1890 (maybe 91 or 92, I forget the exact date), "sheffield" alone means pre-1890.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Whoops, looks like I type slow, I got beat to the punch.

ive learned to peck keyboard like a chicken with 2 fingers instead of one ...lol...

[manah]

Allen & Son moved to Granville Works, Granville Street in 1870.
By 1879, the business was trading as Allen & Son, Granville Works.
Allen's used a mark consisting of the three Maltese crosses. It also acquired the set square and dividers mark of John Barber.

[veckus]

So then are we to say the razor has to be post 1879, pre 1890? Thats a pretty accurate time frame

Probably makes sense if the group acquired John Barber's set square and dividers, it would have also acquired the rest of John Barber's trade marks, which would then include the Wolf and crown.. have I made any mistakes?

thanks so much for the help