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First World War 'Kropp' Cut Throat Razor used by Private William John BEER 1509

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Osborne, Garrett & Co

c. 1914

Overview

A bakelite and steel straight edge razor. The bakelite handle is a cream colour and made of two curved pieces with a fixing screw at either end. The blade is divided into the thicker razor edge and a thinner end which is attached to the handle by one of the screws. The blade pivots on this screw and folds away between the two pieces that make up the handle. Both elements of the razor are in fair condition and the markings on the blade are clear, although the blade shows signs of rust and grease. The gap between the two sides of the handle has accumulated some dirt. The razor is accompanied by both parts of its cardboard box. The box is black and very worn with the bottom open. The top of the larger part of the box is narrow, which allows its lid to slot onto it.

Historical information

British made cut throat razor belonging to Private William John BEER 1509. William came from Bunbury and enlisted on 23 November 1914. He joined the 11th Battalion as a Private and his unit sailed from Fremantle aboard HMAT A50 Itonus on 22 February 1915. William served in Gallipoli and France before returning to Australia on 30 December 1918. His brother Frank who served with the same battalion was mortally wounded on 2 September 1916. William returned to Bunbury where he married and lived until his death in 1977.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2022.1.28 a-c

Item type

Accessories

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Bakelite

Cardboard

Steel

Width

32 mm

Height or length

165 mm

Depth

16 mm

Weight

71 g

Inscriptions and markings

On the blade front “MADE IN ENGLAND AND / GROUND IN HAMBURG” and on the reverse “KROPP”

Contextual information

Trademark "Kropp" was used by Osborne, Garrett & Co. (1899 - 1923). The Kropp Manufacturing Company was a London firm that made razors for the UK and world market. Some of their razors were made and ground in Sheffield, some were made in Sheffield and ground in Hamburg. They majored in good quality, everyday razors for everyday guys and succeed. Kropp advertisement in newspapers were commonplace.

Keywords

First World War

Place made

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Year

c. 1914

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Well provenanced

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