Anyone ever dug a mid-1800s Straight Razor?

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

Just wondering if anyone has ever dug a CW era or earlier straight razor. I've only found one razor ever, and it was early 1900s with a synthetic handle.

Mid-1800s razors should've been common belongings, since many folks owned them. I know they're iron, and wouldn't read all that well on a detector, but I keep thinking that some relic hunter somewhere has dug one. Below is what they'd look like (heavy sons of guns, with horn handles and a fairly short tang):



-Buckles

 

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[RPG]

Hello All,

Just wondering if anyone has ever dug a CW era or earlier straight razor. I've only found one razor ever, and it was early 1900s with a synthetic handle.

Mid-1800s razors should've been common belongings, since many folks owned them. I know they're iron, and wouldn't read all that well on a detector, but I keep thinking that some relic hunter somewhere has dug one. Below is what they'd look like (heavy sons of guns, with horn handles and a fairly short tang):




-Buckles

Nope. Never seen one that was dug and never really thought about it. But, that's another reason to dig those iffy signals.

 

[DirtyMike]

A buddy of mine has found 2 of them. One of which I was there for and it looks just like what you pictured minus the handle.

 

[BuckleBoy]

A buddy of mine has found 2 of them. One of which I was there for and it looks just like what you pictured minus the handle.

Cool! Were they privy finds, or camp finds?

And is there any chance you can get a photo?


Best Wishes,


Buckles

 

[truckinbutch]

I have several . None dug .
I would guess , thin carbon steel that they are , that they would have little less than the spine remaining if they were in the ground . Probably give you a small iron signal like a rusted up nail that could easily be passed over as junk .
Another thought : A razor isn't something a soldier would include in a battle pack prior to an engagement . Personal effects of a casualty could have been picked over or sent home .

 

[BuckleBoy]

I have several . None dug .
I would guess , thin carbon steel that they are , that they would have little less than the spine remaining if they were in the ground . Probably give you a small iron signal like a rusted up nail that could easily be passed over as junk .
Another thought : A razor isn't something a soldier would include in a battle pack prior to an engagement . Personal effects of a casualty could have been picked over or sent home .

Weird thing is, I haven't even been finding these at old homesteads--which is 99% of what I hunt these days.

 

[RPG]

I have several . None dug .
I would guess , thin carbon steel that they are , that they would have little less than the spine remaining if they were in the ground . Probably give you a small iron signal like a rusted up nail that could easily be passed over as junk .
Another thought : A razor isn't something a soldier would include in a battle pack prior to an engagement . Personal effects of a casualty could have been picked over or sent home .

I think this is the key here. We've all probably walked right past them. I agree BB, there should be one at every old home stead.

 

[truckinbutch]

That fine of cutlery steel would have been one of the most valuable items in a lot of houses . First
thing to be coveted by another family member or carried off .

 

[vayank54]

I only remember digging the blade to one years ago in a confederate camp in Centreville VA. The reason I remember it is because it wasn't rusted to badly and I could read the makers name, Sheffield, in it.

 

[kyphote]

Here's one I dug last week at a CW camp. Tetnis anyone?

 

[truckinbutch]

Here's one I dug last week at a CW camp. Tetnis anyone?

Great find ! See what I mean about them rusting away ?

 

[kyphote]

Here's one I dug last week at a CW camp. Tetnis anyone?

Great find ! See what I mean about them rusting away ?

Finally, someone who appreciates this find! When friends visit they only want to see my buttons, but I insist they admire my razor. None do. The owner of this one likely didn't shave much. Most blades are ground to the nub. Curious to me, because I didn't think Confederates shaved.

 

[truckinbutch]

Here's one I dug last week at a CW camp. Tetnis anyone?

Great find ! See what I mean about them rusting away ?

Finally, someone who appreciates this find! When friends visit they only want to see my buttons, but I insist they admire my razor. None do. The owner of this one likely didn't shave much. Most blades are ground to the nub. Curious to me, because I didn't think Confederates shaved.

Au contraire , my friend . Shaving every day was what separated the 'better born' from the lower classes .

 

[Noodle]

My stepfather had one that had been passed down to him. It disappeared, probably sold by my mom to pay bills (decades ago). He also had the razor strap to go with it, which was always hanging in our bathroom, a threat to untoward behavior, though he never used it. He was a good guy! I still remember those items, but don't have a clue as to where they went. His would have been ca. 1880, if they belonged to his parents.

 

[kyphote]

Here's one I dug last week at a CW camp. Tetnis anyone?

Great find ! See what I mean about them rusting away ?

Finally, someone who appreciates this find! When friends visit they only want to see my buttons, but I insist they admire my razor. None do. The owner of this one likely didn't shave much. Most blades are ground to the nub. Curious to me, because I didn't think Confederates shaved.

Au contraire , my friend . Shaving every day was what separated the 'better born' from the lower classes .

Interesting you should say that because an officer button was found less than 10 yards away.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Bravo, kyphote! That's a GREAT find. Yes, I DO admire it. I covet it even.

Thank you so much for posting that. It's another great relic that could've gone in the junk bin very easily.


I think it's important to add relics like this to the forum, so that more finds can be ID'ed, and less interesting items thrown away on accident.

Thank you again,


Buckles

 

[truckinbutch]

Bravo, kyphote! That's a GREAT find. Yes, I DO admire it. I covet it even.

Thank you so much for posting that. It's another great relic that could've gone in the junk bin very easily.


I think it's important to add relics like this to the forum, so that more finds can be ID'ed, and less interesting items thrown away on accident.

Thank you again,


Buckles

How right you are

 

[birdman]

I dug one in Germany but the wood handle was about gone and the blade was rough also.

 

[stefen]

Coincidentally, I dug one out of our silverware drawer the other day...that was an anomaly...