ScoopCollector.com

The Gilchrist Co.

Makers of “Better Than Need Be” goods

Newark N.J.

The Gilchrist Co. was a maker of ice cream scoops from 1906 to 1931. The company was originally a maker of hardware items sold to the day's soda fountains. The Gilchrist company quickly became a dominant competitor in the ice cream scoop business during these 25 years. The business model for Gilchrist was clearly based on making quality equipment and aggressive marketing. These two pages from a 1914 magazine are representative of this approach.

Gilchrist made several models of scoops, and many sizes were common for most models. A collector could have a fine scoop collection of nothing but Gilchrist items. Since so many Gilchrist scoops can be found today, I expect that many beginner collectors have focused on this very thing. I certainly did.
The images to follow are of the various scoop models made by the Gilchrist company. While other variations are likely, I believe this to be a comprehensive display of scoops made by Raymond Gilchrist and his company.

This all-metal offering was the only squeeze handle type scoop offered by Gilchrist. It was quite robust, and many can be found today.

The Model 30 was made in sizes 6,8,10,12,16,20,24,30,40.

The patent request was filed in 1907 but not issued until 1914.

Shown above from left to right…..

-Model 31 standard round bowl scoop

- Model 31 short shaft variation with typical Gilchrist style handle

- Model 31 short shaft variation with typical Hamilton Beach style handle

- Model 31 banana split style

Based on the numbers that can be found today, a tremendous number of these must have been produced. They cost a bit more than their competition in their time and still sold very well. The Gilchrist marketing slogan was “Better than need be” and they must have convinced many customers. Production numbers are not available, but you can bet that these were the company’s biggest sellers.

The model 31 was made in sizes 6,8,10,12,16,20,24,30,40 plus a model 31 specialty scoop that was used for making banana splits. The variation model with the “short shaft” must have satisfied some perceived need for better leverage. I do not know if the short shaft model with the Hamilton Beach handle was made in all sizes.

The patent request for the standard Model 31 was filed in 1908 but was not issued until 1915. The short shaft and banana split models came later.

The letter G finial on this model was an obvious indicator that it was from the Gilchrist Company. It was not introduced until after 1910 and was a somewhat late entry for this style scoop. The model 44 was produced in sizes 4,5,6,8,10,12,16,20.

This conical-shaped scoop must have been well received as many can still be found. This was a well-made device that you might want to use today.

The model 33 was made in sizes 6, 8,10,12,16, 20.

The patent request was filed in 1910 but not issued until 1914.

This model was produced with mostly aluminum metal parts and was quite similar to model 33. While not identical to the model 33 mechanism many collectors call this the “aluminum model 33”. These are not easy to find and command higher prices than any other Gilchrist-made scoop.

The model 32 was made in sizes 6,8,10,12,16,20.

I do not know the model's manufacturing time frame, but it was not initially available. Gilchrist advertised against using aluminum metals for contact with ice cream. I believe this was partly a way of differentiating themselves from the Erie Specialty Co. which used aluminum in many models.

This was an upgrade to the Model 31 banana split scoop. It was made slightly more robust than the model 31 offerings. It was not available until nearly the end of the Gilchrist era.

1930

This was a late Gilchrist era model and was noted for its colorful handles associated with the bowl size.

The model 35 was made in sizes 6, 8,10,12,16, 20, 24, 30,40.

The patent request was filed in 1930 but not issued until 1932. The patent request was filed before the Gilchrist company merger with Hamilton Beach but was not issued until the merger was completed and the Gilchrist company no longer existed. It is difficult for me to understand why the Scoville Mfg. Co. let the Gilchrist brand name go.

Gilchrist made several models of spades and spoons.  Many had wooden handles while others had bakelite handles.  Variations within this group included longer or shorter handle or shaft lengths. The transfer spade (wide bowl) was used to transfer ice cream from an ice cream maker to a container.

Myth Buster

There is a mistaken believe that Gilchrist made a model 31 with a slot cut in the left side of the bowl. Several of these have surfaced and I have heard a couple of ideas as to why it was done. Let me set it straight.

In 1923 an inventor named Peter Kinnear requested a patent for an ice cream holder that was merely a stick with a circular disc attached such that when you applied a ball of ice cream onto the end of the stick the disc would keep the ball from sliding down toward your hand. The use of this invention would also require the modification of a common ice cream scoop. A slot would be cut into the side of the bowl. Ice cream would be scooped, and before using the wiper, this “holder” would be placed into the slot and ice cream up to the circular disc. Then the wiper was used, and the serving of ice cream would be released onto the holder. That sounds like a good idea to me!

The connection to Gilchrist is that model 31 was used in the patent drawing as the “common ice cream scoop.” I have also found several scoops with this invention's slot cut, and they have all been G31s.

I have marked the actual invention with red ink to show this device.