Thread: A 1700's spanish razor

Hello

I've found this in the flea market of my birth place Montpellier, France. The razor is not in good shape (obviously a bunch of rust), but it's the first with this strange design I have seen so far (and I own more than 1000 razors...)

The name stamped on the razor is Spanish "Fransesco", and my feeling is : end of the XVIII century


The box is in accajou maybe from the empire or restauration (1815/1820), it's a luxury box, it don't match with the spanish razor. What I can read : "à l'union des nations" (to the union of the nations) in the cartouche on the side "médaille de bronze obtenue pour ses rasoirs à lames amovibles" (bronze medal for his framebacks razors)"préparation (?) de la fabrique" "à Montpellier et Paris" "Joliret (?)"


the inside is green silk

the name engraved on the scales is french "B*** Alphonse"

Francesco could be Italian as well, that razor doesnt resemble any XVIII century razors that i have seen more like early 1800's.

Hi Charlie,
Fancy meeting you here !
Anyway, I wonder whether you'll be able to salvage *that/ one !
Cheers,
WIm

Originally Posted by Martin103

Francesco could be Italian as well, that razor doesnt resemble any XVIII century razors that i have seen more like early 1800's.

+ 1

What part of the design do you think is strange (the lack of tang was kind of normal for early 19th century razor, as I've been told anyway and I've owned/had a few as well)?

Originally Posted by Mikael

+ 1

What part of the design do you think is strange (the lack of tang was kind of normal for early 19th century razor, as I've been told anyway and I've owned/had a few as well)?

Nothing to do with the missing tang at all, its the very proeminent shank on this razor is very uncommon to 1700's razors. Also no provenance, the scales looks like a slight curve on the last pic.

Just a new guy observation here >>. But having started to look at these older razors they seem to have larger pins and washers the older the claim. Nothing really fancy and considerably different shapes. I noticed the spine on this one looks wider at the toe and the blade seems to match that in height. Some I have seen also look wider below the spine. Nice piece of history no matter what it turns out to be. Great find in my humble opinion. I think one of the reasons I have become interested is that I am thinking of trying to hammer out some of my own someday soon. These older blades have a style that matches the manufacturing processes of the day. I just love them.

Side note: I switched from looking at DD's and even bid on a Gratian yesterday. I thought for sure I would get it for what I bid above the highest. Can't join this club yet but not because I ain't tryin' and watching. Hope to learn more about these oldest of razors.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Nothing to do with the missing tang at all, its the very proeminent shank on this razor is very uncommon to 1700's razors. Also no provenance, the scales looks like a slight curve on the last pic.

Yes, it has a rather odd shank, now that you mention it... In my eyes the shape of the blade looks like mid 19th century, but that doesn't concur with the stubb/tang + the shank part, that you mentioned ...

Another thing to consider is that Francisco means "from France" so perhaps it is a french razor? but it sure doesnt look french with that barbers notch?

Gosh!
French strop definitely like mine.
Now I trying to resurrect this body

Charlie, thank you for posting the information and the photos. And Michael and Martin, thank you, too, for the additional information. This is fascinating.
All stay well and have a Merry Christmas.