John Watts New Service Model
The enterprise that was to eventually become the John Watts Cutlery Works was founded in 1765. In 1862 John Watts took control of the business. After his death in 1895, his son also a John Watts took over and expanded the range to include safety razors. The company was in business until 1999. The building has since been converted to apartments.
Onto the razor itself.
It was released in the UK in 1929. The head tilts forward and backwards only. The Tilting is only there to use different sides of the blade and offers no other use that I can see.
The razor has no TopCap and the blade is held in place by a clasp that rotates using the knurled nut underneath. Its a proprietary thick stiff blade. The outer posts are 1mm wider apart than a standard DE blade, so a blade needs to be modified.
The New Service model was patented in England in 1929 under patent number GB306703 and then an addition under patent number GB369775 in 1932.
It was patented in numerous other countries.
Australia - 18612 in 1929
Canada - CA308441 in 1931
South Africa - 223 in 1929
USA - US1834813 in 1931
The TopCap also says "WORLD PATENTS PENDING".
I've not shaved with it as I need to make up something that will hold a normal DE in place.