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.
