By 1839, James Gilbert (1808-1866) and William Gilbert (1810-1871) were manufacturers of razors and strops in Eyre Street.  Apparently, they were the sons of Thomas (a cutler) and Ann.  An advertisement in Drake’s Road Book of the Sheffield & Rotherham Railway (1840) gave their address as Eyre Street, corner of Charles Street, and offered for sale the ‘celebrated India steel elastic edge razor’.  A London newspaper puffed Gilbert Bros’ razors:

Without pretending to say they produce the effect of the Yankee scythe, which would cut off a man’s leg by its mere shadow, we may yet affirm, that such is the exquisite temper and perfect edge of these little instruments, that it would be impossible to conceive anything capable of adding to the comfort they produce in the sometimes agonizing process of shaving (Lloyd’s Weekly, 30 April 1843).

The firm was also an agent for other products, particularly stoves made by Walker & Co, which in the early 1840s were regularly advertised in The Sheffield Independent.  Apparently, James also traded as a book and print seller in Eyre Street.  In May 1844, the partnership was dissolved.   A Gilbert Bros’ announcement appeared in the press stating that the firm was moving to Norfolk Lane.  This prompted an immediate disclaimer by James, which suggested that the brothers had parted on less than amicable terms.   James stated that he was continuing the original business (now J. Gilbert & Sons) in Eyre Street.  William had been his manager, but James now had no connection with him or Gilbert Bros (Sheffield Independent, 21 May 1844).   James apparently discarded razors and continued his bookselling.  He died on 2 May 1866, aged 58, and was buried in an unconsecrated grave in the General Cemetery.  Gilbert Bros, under William’s direction, continued in Norfolk Lane making razors and acting as agents for Phoenix Stores.  The firm’s ‘superior razors’ received an Honourable Mention at the Great Exhibition (1851).  Its display was judged ‘a complete, business-like selection of such style of goods as are usually sold in the London, Continental, and United States markets’ (Sheffield Independent, 19 April 1851).   William Gilbert employed six men.  During the 1850s and early 1860s, he lived at East View, Mount Pisgah, and then in Wilkinson Street.   By 1860, Gilbert Bros was in Rockingham Street (Yard 126), but in that year the firm relocated to Upper St Philip’s Road.  Its speciality remained razors and cutlery, stamped with the trade mark ‘ECLIPSE’.  According to the Census in 1861, William Gilbert employed 20 men and three boys.  The firm advertised in Pawson & Brailsford’s Illustrated Guide (1862).  It also exhibited at the International Exhibition (1862), where its razors were viewed more favourably than its pen, pocket, and sport’s knives (Sheffield Independent, 31 May 1862).

During the 1860s, William’s son, Frederick William Gilbert (1838-1887), joined the business.  Other partners were recruited, but apparently had little success.  William Pullan Salt (1838-1901), a clerk, joined the firm, but withdrew in 1864.   John Augustine Parkes was partner until 1865.   Frederick William’s attempt to run the firm with another partner (Thomas Chambers) ended in bankruptcy in 1866.  In 1867, Gilbert Bros’ stock (valued at over £7,600) was offered for sale at Eclipse Works (Sheffield Independent, 2 January 1867).  The company remained listed in Oxford Road (1868) and West Street (1871), while Frederick attempted to start new ventures.   William Gilbert, ‘manufacturer and agent’, West Street, died on 23 July 1871, aged 60.  Frederick’s later ventures – selling pictures on West Street and then dealing in provisions – ended in bankruptcy.   He was described as a ‘manufacturer’, Glover Road, when he died on 5 March 1887, aged 48.   He was buried in the family’s unconsecrated grave in the General Cemetery.  In 1882, the ‘ECLIPSE’ mark was acquired by Reuben Clarke (see William Shirley).  After 1909, ‘ECLIPSE’ was used by the steel and tool maker James Neill.