Name/Title
Straight razor c1930Entry/Object ID
2286Description
Straight razor, with a chrome/nickel plated heavily damaged steel blade and black coloured synthetic material handle. No maker's marksUse
Intended for a man to shave with but often used as a weaponContext
Straight razors of this type were the main method for shaving throughout the 19th century into the 20th century, until they were largely replaced by safety razors and later by electric models.
However straight razors were also a popular weapon amongst violent criminals, including the so called "Race Course Gangs" who operated in many parts of the country in the 1920s and 1930s, including in Brighton. Razors like this were carried by these gangs and are used by them both in the book "Brighton Rock" by Graeme Greene" and the 1948 film based on it. Razors continued to be uses as weapons into the 1950s and 1960s.
This item is one of a number that came to the museum from Sussex Police as confiscated weapons. It was common for the police to retain collections of such items for training purposes and for lessons in schools.