Thread: Joseph Allen & Sons Rescue and dating assistance

Hi All - haven't posted for ages as I've been too busy with the motorcycles over the past few months to do anything razor related (except shave of course). However I managed to complete this extensive restoration while waiting for some parts!

I found this Joseph Allen & Sons on eBay last year, as you can see it was in a very sorry state.

Under the 'patina' it's a 5/8" near wedge, no jimping marked "JOSEPH ALLEN&SONS, OAK <3415> WORKS, SHEFFIELD" the "3415" is inside an irregular hexagonal box. Original pins were brass with domed washer, translucent cowhorn scales and a lead spacer.
After initial clean-up it was clear someone had taken an electric grinder to the blade at some point!

Luckily the grinding was well away from the edge.
Unfortunately I then discovered a small vertical crack near the toe, fortunately it was only about 1/16" in so I was able to grind away the crack without loosing much of the edge.
The scales were also rather long so I was able to cut them back as well and keep a nice proportion between blade and scales. The scales were also quite badly warped but a bit of heat and persuasion soon sorted that out. Once they were refinished and treated with linseed oil they came up nicely and showed some slight variagation that wasn't previously apparent.
Due to the shortening I couldn't re-use the original lead spacer as it was way too thin so I decided to replace it with a piece of black ox horn.

This was a real labour of love, probably the most work of any razor I've restored to date and I'm pleased I managed to salvage the scales as well. There was (still is) enough 'meat on the bone' to take this back to pristine condition but, as is my want, I've left some of the history on the blade.

I have no idea as to the age of this one so any help would be greatly appreciated. From the info. I have I understand Joseph Allen started in 1864, my initial instinct was it was c.1900 tho' the cowhorn scales, lack of jimping and the fact it's a near wedge made me wonder if it might be earlier???

PM Manna..he might know more...

Turned out fantastic! Pre 1891 as only Sheffield and no "England" on tang. I expect pretty old! I think Oak Works will help date it. I have not seeen that stamp before. Manah will surely know. Nice work!

Date this razor isn't so difficult.

Pre 1891

100%.
"3415" was Joseph Smith & Sons trademark.
By 1887, the name and mark had been acquired by Joseph Allen & Sons. Their address by the late 1880s was Oak Works, New Edward Street.
So. The razor was made about 1887-1891.

Well, that's about as tight as razor dating gets! Good Work, Manah!

Originally Posted by manah

Date this razor isn't so difficult.

100%.
"3415" was Joseph Smith & Sons trademark.
By 1887, the name and mark had been acquired by Joseph Allen & Sons. Their address by the late 1880s was Oak Works, New Edward Street.
So. The razor was made about 1887-1891.

It's manah...he shoots...he scores...and our knowledge base increases just a bit more..

Thanks Manah! That's about as accurate as you can get in this game I guess.

As an aside do you have any idea what the significance of "3415" is?