A little info needed please

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11-20-2017, 01:05 PM
Meridianmike

3 Attachment(s)

A little info needed please

Hello guys.

I found this wooden toiletry box at the antique store and I stumped the guys over at the straight razor forum on the "all about pocket knives" site.

There is almost all the utensils missing and some look self explanatory but there is a bit of a mystery involved concerning what the full complement would be.

Questions like, "where would the strop fit?" and "what is the 2 pieces that look to be mirror images of each other in the 2nd tier?" have stumped me and my friends.

I am sure someone here has seen one of these before.
The 2 razors seem to date from about 1880.... any ideas of the age of the box?

Here is a few pics.

Attachment 278496

Attachment 278497

Attachment 278498
11-20-2017, 01:07 PM
Meridianmike

OK.... maybe you can see the utensil I am wondering most about. See the 2 items in the 2nd tier that look to be opposites of each other? What is that?

Mike
11-20-2017, 01:09 PM
Dieseld

I’m stumped on the 2 pieces that mirror each other as well.
But I’m not sure you’d have a place for a strop. That being a travel/weekend kit you possibly wouldn’t need to have it.

I’m sure someone will be along and know what those two blanks are for
11-20-2017, 01:12 PM
tcrideshd

This is easy, don't ask guys from a pocketknife forum for answers! They are a button hook tool, very common in old sets because Spats were a well dressed mans accessory. Plus the nail file and toothbrush. Tc

As to the strop, that's why 2 razors, and if you brought one with you it would have been one of the retractable silver ones that didn't take much room plus were the well heeled gentlemans travel strop. These were made stay for the upper class. Tc
11-20-2017, 01:14 PM
Meridianmike

Ahhhhhh.... yes! SO... is there a spot for 2 button hook tools or do the 2 work together?

mike
11-20-2017, 01:20 PM
tcrideshd

My best guess is for a different type of button hook, it has a different handle. I'm by no means an expert but have seen several go thru here that were whole and the guy knew what everything, was, plus I,m not well heeled even though all my custom razors cost more than they spent on theirs. Tc
11-20-2017, 01:31 PM
Meridianmike

1 Attachment(s)

I found pics of one VERY similar kit online. It also has a similar item in the lower level that has a "hook" but below that, the profile is different.....

Attachment 278499
11-20-2017, 04:49 PM
ScienceGuy

2 Attachment(s)

This is a campaign toilet kit, probably French. You are missing boot hooks (two, one on each side, to help pull on long boots; these probably had folding handles), nail file, scissors, toothbrush, general purpose knife. The bottom held shaving soap, brush, etc. and probably had soft metal lined compartments (at least some of them). The mirror may be removable; often there were more compartments stashed behind it; based on the apparent thickness of the lid, I think this may be the case for yours. FYI the razors in this kit are not original, the case well predates those and I guess is around 1815 +/- based on others I have seen. The cutouts for the razors suggest razors of this shape (English):

Attachment 278509

or this (French):

Attachment 278510

(The set could also be English, I won't say for sure it is French.)

A really nice set!
11-20-2017, 04:52 PM
Meridianmike

Wow... thanks so much for that info!
What do you know... boot hooks.
11-20-2017, 04:57 PM
ScienceGuy

3 Attachment(s)

Maybe "boot pulls" is more proper. Here are some more examples. Based on the asymmetry of the cutouts, one of yours probably had a button hook as well like in these sets.

Attachment 278511

Attachment 278512

Attachment 278513
11-20-2017, 05:02 PM
Meridianmike

Nice! Thanks so much for the info and pics!

Mike
11-20-2017, 05:16 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meridianmike

I found pics of one VERY similar kit online. It also has a similar item in the lower level that has a "hook" but below that, the profile is different.....

Does your Champaign kit have the cut outs as in the vertical section of the example you posted? If it does I would guess those are for a hone and a small paddle strop.

Bob
11-20-2017, 05:19 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Maybe "boot pulls" is more proper. Here are some more examples. Based on the asymmetry of the cutouts, one of yours probably had a button hook as well like in these sets.

Now that is a neat set up. Looks like the part holding the boot hooks also serves to help remove those same boots when folded out and resting on those two short legs.

Bob
11-20-2017, 05:29 PM
Meridianmike

2 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Does your Champaign kit have the cut outs as in the vertical section of the example you posted? If it does I would guess those are for a hone and a small paddle strop.

Bob

Behind the mirror is a spot for 2 rectangular items. Maybe the hone and strop you speak of.

Attachment 278515 Attachment 278516

Mike
11-20-2017, 06:25 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meridianmike

Behind the mirror is a spot for 2 rectangular items. Maybe the hone and strop you speak of.

Mike

Man, you really have to give credit to those old craftsman who designed and made these Champaign kits for ingenuity.

Bob
11-20-2017, 06:26 PM
Meridianmike

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Man, you really have to give credit to those old craftsman who designed and made these Champaign kits for ingenuity.

Bob

I agree! Totally amazing!

Mike
11-20-2017, 11:05 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Now that is a neat set up. Looks like the part holding the boot hooks also serves to help remove those same boots when folded out and resting on those two short legs.

Bob

Yep! Good call! Flip it over and you have a bootjack!

Certainly these things were property of officers.
The regulars likely would have enough to carry as it was?
11-20-2017, 11:21 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yep! Good call! Flip it over and you have a bootjack!

Certainly these things were property of officers.
The regulars likely would have enough to carry as it was?

yea, now that you mention it "bootjack" was the word I was looking for. I hate getting old...er.

Bob
11-20-2017, 11:46 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

yea, now that you mention it "bootjack" was the word I was looking for. I hate getting old...er.

Bob

Ha! Look at the top example and the second from Scienceguy....
One has staggered wooden pegs and the other has the metal pegs staggered....Lovely! Seems the brass support on the 2nd one would have to have been swung counterclockwise against that nail in order for it to be closed. :)
Cabinet hinges!

Nobody copied anyone back then, either! :D
11-22-2017, 06:51 AM
Thaeris

If you are not afraid to drool on your keyboard, you can visit the website "lecurieux.com"

It has various chests with all the tools included

Necessaires, Etuis, Coffrets | Le Curieux
11-22-2017, 11:40 AM
Meridianmike

WOW.... what a site!
Let the drooling begin!
11-22-2017, 03:27 PM
sharptonn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thaeris

If you are not afraid to drool on your keyboard, you can visit the website "lecurieux.com"

It has various chests with all the tools included

Necessaires, Etuis, Coffrets | Le Curieux

Good to see you, Thaeris! :chapeau