Notes of Interest:
War production only from 1942-1945. Full civilian production resumed in 1946. In 1948 the center bar gained a notch for easier loading from a blade dispenser, and came in a brown leatherette case. 1949 came in a red plastic case. Prior to 1950 the blade bed read "PAT. NOS. ON PACKAGE", and in 1950 this transitioned to "PAT. NOS. ON PKG.". Date codes were also in transition from 1950, so examples may have a date code, or may not. Date codes became more widespread in 1951 (W) and later. "Considered by some, to be one of the best wet shavers Gillette ever made." *b&b