Sorry m8 !
I have not been online lately and just saw your PM's.
Here's as much as I know
If it says "Made in Belgium", it was made before 1980. Which is before the Gubbels acquisition.
I don't have any info on a series called
Blair, but they did make a series called
Flair. So if the writing is rubbed off, I'd say it's a Flair. They were well made and the Flair series usually had a little thickening on the stem. A #255 would make me think it's a bent shape, not a straight. I would bet it's a bent Dublin or Acorn shape.
Here is a picture of a Hilson Flair in a 228 shape. Notice the little "ring" or "knob" on the stem before the mortise. That's what most of the Flair series had
As far as cost goes, $20 seems reasonable for an estate in uncleaned condition. I'd buy it for that, but then again, I collect the Belgian made Hilsons.
Hope this helps Mike... once again sorry for the delays brother... I've just been too busy to do anything much else but work.
