Dating of a vintage Gillette safety razor (made in U.S.A. models)

On this website you will find very useful information to date a Gillette razor made in the USA and know exactly what year it was manufactured.

Since Gillette began manufacturing razors in 1904, a numerical code, or alphanumeric, was engraved on almost all models manufactured.

Almost all the razors manufactured by the Gillette brand in the United States between 1904 and 1988 had a code, sometimes only numeric, and other times alphanumeric, of up to 7 digits.
 

There are several stages where you can find different ways to identify used Gillette razors in the United States:

- 1903 . Serial numbers were not used

- 1904 to 1929. Serial numbers up to 7 digits (1 letter + 6 numbers)

- 1930 to 1949. Serial numbers were not used

- 1950 to 1988. Two-digit date codes (letter+number)

FIRST PERIOD
1903 - No serial numbers

During this stage, no numbering was used to identify the batches manufactured. However, this is not an impediment to being able to date a razor from this year.
The only model made in 1903 was Gillette's first model safety razor, called "the Gillette razor", or more technically by "model 100".
In the world of collecting, fans dubbed it "Double ring", due to the existence of two rings on the neck of the handle.
The model 100 or "Double ring" can be easily identified by the existence of said rings on the handle, and if it does not have a serial number then it was clearly manufactured in 1903.

Something very interesting is that the first editions of the "Double ring" model manufactured in 1903 were sold presented in a lithographed metal box, together with a set of blades also with their small metal presentation box.

Fuente imagen: web doubleringtin

SECOND PERIOD
1904 to 1929 - Serial numbers

Between 1904 and 1929 an alphanumeric serial number (up to 7 digits) came into use. Every million units was updated by adding a new letter to the code.

The first editions of double and single ring can have the serial number engraved on the barrel.

*If you can't see correctly this table ON YOUR MOBILE just scroll down and click on "CLASSIC VIEW"

THIRD PERIOD
1939 to 1949 - No serial numbers

For razors manufactured since 1930 and before the 1950s, the models manufactured did not carry codes, and there are other more complex dating methods that only brand experts can explain.

FOURTH PERIOD

DATE CODES (1950 - 1988)

During the period between 1950 and 1988 a two-digit system was used, consisting of a letter and a number.
The table indicates which year corresponds to each letter.
The number corresponds to the quarter, for example number 3 corresponding to the third quarter of the indicated year.

For razors manufactured between 1950 and 1988, a simple two-digit date code (letter+number) was used to indicate a year and a quarter.

*If you can't see correctly this table ON YOUR MOBILE just scroll down and click on "CLASSIC VIEW"

WHY THE LETTERS BEGAN TO BE USED FROM THE "V", INSTEAD OF STARTING WITH THE "A"?

Gillette actually began using the letter + number date code system from the year 1930, using this method for the first time only on its razor blades.
However, it wasn't until 1950 that the brand decided that they also wanted to date the manufacturing date of the razors produced.

WHAT WAS THE SENSE OF CARRYING A DATE CODE OR A SERIAL NUMBER ENGRAVED?

As in today's modern industry, it is necessary to be able to trace a particular lot in case any model has a manufacturing defect, since every product in that lot is likely to have the same defect.
In this way, it is possible to know which operator or which machines have made the error, in order to correct it.
The period between 1904 and 1930 corresponds to the stage in which K.C. Gillette personally directed the company. After the 1930s, there were some changes, including in the company's policy, which led to dispensing with the use of serial numbers on the razors that manufactured.