Thread: help identifying antique store finds

I scored a sweet deal last week & picked up 4 razors (Gremania, Friedr Baurmann & Sohne, Genco (not pictured), & W&B) for $40. I'm wondering if anyone has any info on the first one pictured. The blade is stamped "Gremania Cutlery Co." The only thing I could find online was on "Germania." Could it be a typo?


Also picked up this Friedr Baurmann & Sohne. I'm not certain, but I believe the scales are bone? They feel different than any other scales I've handled (which is not many). Any idea how I can identify what it is?


Lastly, I picked up this wade & butcher. The blade seems to be in great shape, but interestingly enough it did not fit in the scales. Whoever used it last just jammed the blade in the scales (makes me wince just thinking about it)

You did well! All of them should hone and shave well!
~Richard

Nice finds, chances are you are right about the W & B. I haven't seen any with the celluloid and bolsters before, so chances are it came off another razor and they just made due. You could take them apart and file down the back of the wedge to make it fit, or make another set, and save those for a smaller blade that will fit them later. I have seen other blades with the Germania cutlery co stamp on ebay, I don't know anything particular about them, but I would bet it safe to assume they were most likely a german company that imported into the U.S. after the country of manufacturer stamps were required to be imported here. As far as checking to see if those scales are bone; you can heat up a needle, and just place it on the scale in an inconspicuous spot, if it smells like burnt rubber usually celluloid, plastic is plastic, burnt hair (atleast that's what it smells like to me) usually signifies horn, and bone to me has a smell all its own.

Germania Cutlery Works, Germany 1896- 1938 is what is listed in The Standard Guide to Razors.

Right. I was just curios because the blade is stamped "Gremania," not "Germania." I'm assuming it was a mis-stamp. By the way, Dograh, I was born in Texas City