In 1903, its first year of trading, Gillette sold just 168 razor blades.
The first model to be sold by Gillette was the double-ring, starting in 1903 and ending in 1906. Only 51 razors and 168 blades were sold in 1903. The first 100 or so came in a lithographed tin box. The blades also came in a lithographed tin box. The remaining came in the common leather-covered wooden case, in a white shipper box or a black shipper box. Models produced prior to November of 1904 will have “PAT. APL’D FOR” on the band near the bottom knob. Models produced after November 1904 will have “PAT. NOV. 15.04″ on the band. All of the 1903 ones made, didn’t have a serial number and did have the “PAT. APL’D FOR” stamp. All of the 1904 ones made DID have a serial number and were stamped either with “PAT. APL’D FOR” for the first ones made in 1904 or “PAT. NOV. 15.04″ for the later ones made in 1904.