Civil War Period Shaving Items and Toothbrush

Civil War Period Shaving Items and Toothbrush – These soldier’s personal items would represent a necessity of camp life for the Civil War soldier. Included in this grouping are the following items: soldered tin (tinned sheet iron) shaving cup; period shaving brush (genuine period brush with circumferential twine reinforcing the positioning of the bristles); a rare, fine horn handled straight razor by Wade & Butcher*, with an elaborately etched blade; a wood or bone handled toothbrush. All elements in this grouping remain in excellent condition.

*The razor company of William and Samuel Butcher was founded in 1818, in Sheffield, England. Shortly thereafter, the Butchers partnered with Robert Wade, thereby starting to stamp their blades with the firm’s Wade & Butcher name. The Wade & Butcher Company produced high-quality straight razors, with wedge style blades. Production of these razors reached their highest level in the mid to late 19^th century, with many sales in the U.S. These early Wade & Butcher straight razors are considered to be highly collectible, today.