Ken, I think a rolling mill is a machine, and maybe not so much step in the process. I believe it's purpose was labor/time savings for components that required significant reduction through the process of drawing. I'd suspect there was also the side benefit of more uniformity to what ever pattern was being created. But, I think it's less desirable to appear too perfect for something that's being admired for its handmade qualities.

There was a comment about twisting at high speed, I think probably a reference to a production forging operation and not likely something the hand hammerers could do. That was just a thought about what a mill may have been doing in addition to running stock through their rolling mills. Only thoughts is all.