Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Friday, November 11, 2016

History of William Gilpin, Wedges Mills and Churchbridge Works

Trades' Guide, 1879, page 157
William Gilpin was an English tool manufacturer in Cannock, north of Birmingham. The firm operated 2 works near each other, Churchbridge Works and Wedges Mills. Gilpin operated from as early as 1834 to 1946 or later. Grace's Guide has a short page about them. We will try to add to this information.
History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire, 1834 

Gilpin brick and moulder's trowels
The Churchbridge Edge Tool and Axle Works, Churchbridge, 1926 - Britain from Above

16 comments:

  1. Afternoon, I have a draw knife with the trade mark, I would like some more info if possible ,
    with thanks steve.

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry, this is all the information I have now.

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  2. Just found a 4.5pound axe in my father's tools. Did they make axes?

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    Replies
    1. I literally just purchased a 4.5 axe head from a carboot sale. Lovely ace heads. Came here looking for more info too!

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  3. I have a meat clever made by this company. The stamp shows crossed axes and below that W.Gilpin,Wedge Mills. The final word begins Warra with probably three missing letters and ending in D. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry the information I have on them is limited and I don't know what the rest of the word is.

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    2. Warranted - that's what it says on my draw knife

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    3. Hello , I have an ax wit simlar marking and the word you are loking for is "Warranted"

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  4. Still using, and loving, my Grandad's Gilpin draw-knife. He used to make and repair cart wheels with it

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  5. Hi,
    I have a pair of pliers marked “W Gilpin” one side, and L&NWR the other.
    Have to be before 1922 as LNWR became LMS after that Date.

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  6. I just got a draw knife w gilpin wedges Mills warranted and the number 3 was doing a job for a old lady and she wanted sheds gone and said I can have anything I can find got loads of funny shape trowels and one on top of page I have as well

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  7. I just got a draw knife w gilpin wedges Mills warranted and the number 3 was doing a job for a old lady and she wanted sheds gone and said I can have anything I can find got loads of funny shape trowels and one on top of page I have as well

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  8. I own an oxwagon axle made by Gilpin at Wedges Mill in 1906. Must have found it's way to my grandfather's blacksmith shop in Botswana via South Africa

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  9. Hi my Mum has had a meat cleaver for years, she recently gave it to me, my son and I decided to clean it up, replace the wooden handle. We buffed the surface rust off and found the name W Gilpin Wedgesmills Warpantdo stamped on one side, it also has PAT N 133 F stamped on the same side.

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    Replies
    1. It says, W Gilpin wedgesmills Warranted. The 133F is a lamb chopper. They made a round nose and a square nose version. You can find a picture of the square version in the Gilpin tool catalogue.

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