Joseph Rodgers & Sons - metal scales

Hi!
I thrifted this razor a while back, and I've been wondering why it has metal scales, and why it is marked "F SAN". I've seen the exact same scales on other razors, so I thought maybe they were used in hospitals (metal for hygenic reasons)? Maybe SAN is short for sanitarium? Does anyone have any knowledge about this? Do you think these were the original scales? Or were they rescaled for a specific purpose?
The razor, however, was made sometime around 1890, I think, after reading the forum about razor markings. It was in this amazing condition when I found it; I only cleaned it a bit!
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Actually, just after I posted, I found this thread:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...sons-govt.html
It seems the scales are original, and for medical use!

Welcome to SRP.

Quote:

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around 1890

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The blade was made after 1891, there is "England" on the stamp.

Yes, it's been a while since I read about it. I think it's dated between 1891 and 1901. Cutlers to their majesties refers to Victoria and Albert - victorias reign ended 1901.

The symbol on the pile side of the tang is a crowsfoot, which indicates that it was made for the military. Most likely a WWI surgical razor.

How razors were used for surgery, I'm unclear on. My guess is site-prep, but that's just a guess. They were not used to cut skin though.