doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Samuel Blakmore Allport Questions

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can give me any information on this Birmingham maker?

Not much about him in Browns book.

Any info on this maker and his guns would be great.

Thanks so much!!

Greg

Most reference works refer to Samuel Blakemore (Blackmore) Allport (working from 1829/30 to 1892), and do not mention his father, whose name appears to be recorded only as Samuel Allport.
Samuel Allport was born between 1787 and 1791. He established his business in 1820 at an unknown address in Birmingham. He was recorded as having an office or showroom in London at 12 Bell's Buildings, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street from 1829 to 1831. He came to fame by introducing a circular percussion cap dispenser which was advertised in "The Sporting Magazine" in 1830.

He was recorded from 1833 to 1836 at 3 Weaman Row, and from 1839 at 50 Whittall Street. In the 1841 census he was recorded as a gunmaker living at 1 Weaman Row, he probably would have worked there as well as at 50 Whittall Street. At the time, he lived with Joseph (b.1821), Samuel Blakemore (b.1823), William (b. 1825), Henry (b.1827) and Hubert (b.1829). Clearly, Samuel's wife died between 1829 and 1841 and, equally clearly, in 1829/30 at the age of 6 or 7, Samuel Blakemore (records suggesting the name Blackmore appear to be incorrect) could not have been running the business.

In the 1851 census Samuel Allport was recorded as a gun implement, fishing reel and weaver's mail manufacturer at 1 Weaman Row, employing 28 pairs of hands. He was living there with his new wife, Eliza Ann (b.1807 in Armagh, Ireland). Eliza Ann appears to have been related to the Rigby family of Dublin. Also living there were Joseph (clerk to gunmaker), and a daughter, Kate,(b.1844).

By the time of the 1861 census, Samuel had died and Samuel Blakemore (described as a gunmaker) had taken over the business. He was living at 1 Weaman Row with his stepmother, Eliza Ann(e), Joseph (brother and gunmaker b. 1821), and Charles Rigby Allport (brother and gunmaker b.1842). In about 1859 he had married but on the night of the census his wife and their daughter were not at home. At about this time the firm was re-named Samuel B Allport, they traded as gun, pistol and rifle manufacturers, gun and rifle implement makers, and makers of apparatus, fishing rells, tackle etc.

In the 1871 census Samuel B Allport was living in Moseley Road with his wife, Frances M (b.1833), Lucy M (b.1860), Frank B (b.1868), and Beatrice (b.1870).

In 1872 he took out a patent for a top lever action (No.3518), and in 1881 an underlever action and safety (No. 2993).

In the 1881 census Samuel described himself as a gun and weaver's mail maker. By this time he had moved out of Moseley Road and lived at Pymore Cottage, Alcester Road with Frances M, Lucy M, Jesse M (b.1872), Frank B and Beatrice E.

In 1890 he patented an ejector (No. 2760).

The firm was not recorded after 1892.

From 1892 to 1899 when he died, Samuel Blackmore Allport was Birmingham Proof Master. He died on 23 October 1899 and his name was recorded in the Register as Samuel Blakemore Allport.

Pete

Hi Pete and thanks!!! Boy that was some great info, I sure appreciate your time and effort in posting it. Very helpful.

Thanks again!!!!

Greg

A bit more.

When Allport Senior established his business in 1820 the gun trade in England was beginning to hit a depression. They had been on a "high" from the Napoleonic era and the huge demand for arms during that period. I can't speak about Birmingham directly, but in other areas of the country things got really bad. In some smaller towns, where iron mining and gun making were hand in hand, the depression was fierce. It was this depressed market that lead many to emigrate.

I found Allport interesting because, once again, we are looking at a family of gun makers. In this case, he rose to become the master of the proof house. As such, he was facing changing times. I am sure there are others who may have information about how he changed the proof house to respond to these changes. A lot of innovation in pressure testing equipment was going on everywhere.

Pete

The excellent book,"The classic British Rook and Rabbit Rifle"by Colin Greenwood,pages,120-122 provides additional information on; Samuel Blakemore Allport.From this book we learn that Samuel was a Brilliant Enginer working for a time under the famous British engineer,Brunel.A primary focus of the Allport family gun making business whilst under Samuels direction was the production of rifles.It is reported that he produced Rook and Rabbit Rifles for Purdey, Boss and many other famous and less famous names.In addition it is stated that he worked with Metford,Halford and Henry on the development of rifling.
Allport also produced some very fine shotguns. No; 5876,a 12G bar action hammer gun in my collection is one of the finest example of Birmingham work that I have ever seen.
Whilst Proof Master at Birmingham,Allport was responsible for the comparison testing of Damascus and steel Barrels often refered to on this forum. Amongst his many accomplishments ,Allport designed and made one of the first pressure test barrels utilising the crusher concept.
Allport died 24 October 1899, at the age of 76. His Obituary was published in 'Arms and Explosives, Magazine November 1899.

Here's a Samuel Allport gun:



A boxlock ejector with a Purdey thumbhole opener and Greener side safety. Lagopus.....