Referring to the question of whether Gillott only made their taper-tube frames in larger sizes, some years ago I took such a model of frame as a part-exchange against one of my own "Bespoke" frames.
The Gillott had just been resprayed by C&G of Liverpool, in a light metallic green with dark green lining to the long spearpoint lugs. I noticed it was a taper-tube..and was fairly pleased that it was a 21.5" - just about my limit.
The seller was asking a modest amount for it bearing in mind that he had just paid for the respray. When asked why so little he pulled his hand away from the from fork exposing the R/H blade bent to an awkward angle right in the centre of the sweep. I took the frame to be late-40s/early50s..and it had a very pronounced rake on the exremely thin blades..maybe as much a 3.5".
He explained that having just built-up the frame and taken it out for a ride , the fork had crumbled... from the inside, due to rusting. He advised me that the frame had never been chrome-plated.
I still have the frame..and although I have a fair collection of old style blades, I have nothing as slim as these Gillott blades. Perhaps like the Taylor Bros, Gillott was able to have blades specially drawn out for them by Reynolds.
Anybody out there got a stash of Gillott 50s blades..?
Norris Lockley...Settle UK