Lucky Find! Wade and Butcher Question?

Gents, 

I truly enjoy my Wade and Butcher razors, so when I was able to buy this beauty at a reasonable price...no brainer!

These are the photos from the seller, and I will post better pictures after the restoration.  I believe it is an unused pre-1890 frameback!  I might be wrong, but the lettering on the face is beautiful, and there appears to be no hone wear on the spine.  The box also appears to be original, and also in ridiculous shape! 

I am very excited!  Does anyone else have one of these?  What are your thoughts?

Vr

Matt

Gents,

Well the razor arrived, and it’s fascinating!  

First, I can’t believe the box is in such great shape with much of the gold paint still in the letters.



The next thing I can’t believe is that the etching is in such great shape on the face of the blade.  This thing is over 150 years old!



Finally, the number “2” is stamped into the end of the tang.  I have never seen a Wade and Butcher with a number stamped into the end of the tang like this, and I was wondering if anyone else has, or knows what it might mean.



Thanks!

Vr

Matt

Gents,

I really am pretty out of my league with my desire to clean this up and my sandpaper. However, I am giving it my best shot, and it’s at least in a more acceptable condition.  I wanted to keep the original Pre-1890 etching which also complicates things.

At any rate, it’s ready for honing which I will likely do today or tomorrow, and I will give this razor a whirl next week!

Vr

Matt

Here are some other pics:

Now THIS is a shaver!  Top tier razor all the way, and it provided that famous soft Sheffield touch!

Vr

Matt