Thread: information wanted on this straight edge razor

Hello. I just went to a small antique shop where i found this straight edge razor. I bought it for five dollars and became very interested in the piece. I would really enjoy anyone who has knowledge on this razor. On the blade(not the sharp part )where the blade meets the handle, there is writing. On one side it says Gopher and on the otherside it reads HENRY SEARS & SON 1865. I would like to know if it was infact made in 1865 because it seemed a little too late of a date to match the great condition of both the razor blade and the handle.The handle seems like plastic which seems like it wouldn't match the time period.Could it be plastic? I also read that it may have been made in Prussia! Could this be true?

More likely Henry Sears opened for business in 1865.
The handle could be celluloid or some other plastic but hard to say from a photo.
Don't know about the country of manufacture but likely it was imported from Germany. Many barber suppliers etc. imported razors from there.

HENRY SEARS & CO
Chicago, Illinois
ca. 1865 - 1879

H. SEARS MFG
Chicago, Illinois
ca. 1879 - 1883

HENRY SEARS & SON
Chicago, Illinois
ca. 1883 - 1897

Does the razor indicate where it was made??
If not I believe it would have been made before
1890.

Terry