Don gives us a most scholarly and fascinating summary regarding Gilpins, , 
,

(huge snip per FAQ) 

>An 1876 "WM. GILPIN, SENr. & CO." advertisement gives a fairly
>clear idea of the diversity of their products:

For our purposes I find it particularly noteworthy that it is only the 
augers which can be said to fairly fall into 'woodworking' if we regard it 
as being 'benchwork' 

What does not often get mentioned here are the plethora of agricultural 
edge tools such as slashers and billhooks of every kind which were made 
and used in huge numbers.  Amongst the coppicing fraternity the name 
'Gilpin' on an old tool is highly regarded and taken as a mark of quality. 
 

Whilst holidaying in Alice Frampton's county at the start of the year I 
was fortunate to visit a restored mill which had been a first to introduce 
trip hammers - powered by water.  The vast increase in productivity that 
this provided made its owner a fortune, and led to their travellers 
(salesmen) covering the country.  In a small workshop with 5 hearths it 
was said that near 30 men were working, two trip hammers had been 
installed by the end, and IIRC one was running over a 100 strokes per 
minute.  As a demo, the guide had a bar heated, and threw the lever to 
engage the hammer.  Let's just say that the skill needed to take a billet 
and produce from it a spade using a hammer which had a fast and fixed 
stroke must have been amazing.  If the place was closer I'd be a 
volunteer.  Final grinding was done by a man lying on a board atop a large 
slow stone wheel.  Atop it to get lots of weight.  It was extremely 
uncomfortable, and hugely dangerous - the guide demonstrated, and attested 
to the discomfort.

It's difficult now to comprehend the scale of these undertakings, largely 
before mass production, yet satisfying a demand for billhooks which was 
enormous - all agriculture done by hand, all hands needing an edge tool. 

Why, though the production of an auger - completely different 
manufacturing to smashing a bar flat and sharpening it.  Holes in wood are 
a very basic necessity - ships of the time needed hundreds for the 
trenails.  Woodworking needed hundreds for M&T's,.  perhaps Mr Gilpin 
spotted a market.  Don's details  specify only that one site was making 
augers, and perhaps this division explains the separate manufacturing 
sites - early specialisation=3F 

Seems as though some local research is indicated. 

Thanks Don

Richard Wilson
Yorkshireman Galoot in a snowy Northamptonshire 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------------------

For information on Christian Salvesen PLC visit our website
at www.salvesen.com.

The information contained in this e-mail is strictly confidential and
for the use of the addressee only; it may also be legally privileged
and or price sensitive. Notice is hereby given that any disclosure,
use or copying of the information by anyone other than the intended
recipient is prohibited and may be illegal. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return
e-mail. 

Christian Salvesen PLC has taken every reasonable precaution to
ensure that any attachment to this e-mail has been swept for viruses.
However, we cannot accept liability for any damage sustained as a
result of software viruses and would advise that you carry out your
own virus checks before opening any attachment.