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.
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