Thread: Belated souvenir of Cöln, G.G.S 13/16 #200 OLAF

Received this razor today that I scored on eBay. It polished up nicely and took a nice edge. It's a 13/16 with a beautifully executed extra hollow grind. I know nothing about G.G.S or OLAF.

What attracted me to it was the lovely gold etching. I was in Cologne for a day when I was a university student back in 2000. Visiting the Cathedral was a remarkable experience. The city itself didn't impress me and I didn't buy a souvenir, not even a bottle of the omnipresent 4711. Now I have something worth keeping.

I’ve never seen gilded artwork like that on a blade. Nice catch!

Never heard of that maker before but beautiful gold wash and grinding. Enjoy!

That is a beauty of a razor. It is also the first time I have see Coln spelt that way in German rather than Koln. I can't put the umlaut over the o on this key board or at least I don't know how.

Bob

Indeed, first time I see that spelling as well. Apparently it was the prescribed spelling between 1857 and 1919 and was changed by decree after WWI.

I wonder if this razor was made before 1919.

https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%B6ln

Originally Posted by Badgister

Indeed, first time I see that spelling as well. Apparently it was the prescribed spelling between 1857 and 1919 and was changed by decree after WWI.

I wonder if this razor was made before 1919.

https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%B6ln

I did find this thread https://sharprazorpalace.com/razor-c...rs-club-4.html and in post #40 there is mention of a Bartmann razor where the poster mentions it is marked Souvenir Coln but you can't see the etching in the photos.


According to Strazors.com trademark name of Bartmann was cancelled in 1948. The trademark belonged to Gebruder Geldmacher/Ernst Geldmacher.

STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Bartmann, Solingen.

The Coln spelling may have been used later than 1919, who knows. The design of the labelling and colour on your razor's box looks very similar to what Bartmann used if that means anything.

Bob

Bob, although faint you can see the same exact etching on that Bartmann razor (2nd picture of post 40)

So I imagine G.G.S stands for Gebruder Geldmacher Solingen!

Wow, great investigative work Bob!

Originally Posted by Badgister

Bob, although faint you can see the same exact etching on that Bartmann razor (2nd picture of post 40)

So I imagine G.G.S stands for Gebruder Geldmacher Solingen!

Wow, great investigative work Bob!

Oddly enough, I had the same thought about what GGS could stand for after I had posted the link to referring to Bartmann. I could not, however, find a list of trademarked names Gebruder Geldmacher sold under such as OLAF.

Bob

Also the Made in Germany marking may indicate a production period of pre WWII and post Prussia.

Ach, Köln! I stayed there two years as engineer officer in a MOFAB Company (mobile floating assault bridge). I remember a colleague looking on a touristic map where we were. And not finding that "Einbahnstrasse" we where in ( litt.. one way street)
And the hundreds of steps to climb the clocktower...
I was young then ...