65/37

W. Gilpin (Manufacturer)

An auger is a boring tool used in a variety of woodworking trades for boring long deep holes. Part of the auger bores the bottom of the hole as the tool goes round and another part holds the shavings and discharges them when the tool is pulled out. This is a shell aguer with a T-shaped turned wooden handle and an iron shank with a square section and a semi-circular bit. It is stamped 'W. Gilpin' on the shank (the name of the manufacturer), and engraved 'G. Payne' and 'T. Russell' on the handle. The auger belonged to George Payne, a joiner from Sonning in Berkshire. On his death circa 1905 the auger passed to his friend Thomas Russell, also a joiner in Sonning, and on his death circa 1916 the auger passed to his son Leonard Russell, a builder in Sonning.

1 shell auger; wood and metal [iron]; good condition

MERL ‘Handwritten catalogue’ form – ‘AUGER // Crafts–Wood // 65/36–39 // Executors – late Leonard Russell of Sonning, Berks. // [pencil sketch].’, Letter, donor to MERL, 7 January 1965 – ‘Dear Mr Jewell // … // I know very little about these tools except that they belonged to an old joiner in Sonning named George Payne who, I think, must have died about 60 years or so ago [circa 1905]. They then went to my wife’s Grandfather, who was a great friend of George Payne. Thomas Russell was a joiner also and died in Sonning about 1916. // His son, Leonard Russell, became a builder in Sonning and specialised in restoring old houses. He had a great deal of knowledge and pride in the history of Sonning with which his family on both sides had been associated for very many years. He died in 1958. // It the museum would care to have these augers would you please record them as a gift of the Executors of the late Leonard Russell of Sonning. // …’

Wedges Mill

Wood, Metal, iron