The following courtesy IGC:
Arthur Allan
Other Names A Allan & Son; Arthur Allan; Arthur Allan Ltd
Address1 12 London Street
Address2 12 London Street and 144 Trongate
Address3 12-14 London Street and 144 Trongate
Address4 3 West Nile Street
City/Town Glasgow
State/Region/Province Scotland
Country United Kingdom
Trade Gun maker, cutler, ironmonger, edge tool & mathematical instrument maker
Dates 1855-1985
Notes
Arthur Allan was born in Catrine, Ayrshire, in 1833. He was the son of Arthur (a power loom dresser) and Agnes. The family were recorded in the 1841 census living in Commercial Road, Gorbals, Glasgow. They were recorded again in the 1851 census at 53 Commercial Road, Arthur was described as an ironmonger's salesman. In 1855 he established his business as a gun maker at 12 London Street, Glasgow, he also sold fishing tackle and in 1857 he described himself as a mathematical tool maker as well. He does not seem to have been recorded in the 1861 census.In 1866 he opened an additional shop at 144 Trongate. The 1871 census records him as a 36 year old gun maker married to Catherine who was aged 19 (b.1852 in Edinburgh). They were living at 16 Grange Terrace, Cathcart.
In the 1881 census the family were living at 41 Albert Road. Four children were recorded including two sons who later joined the business, Arthur (Arthur (III) b.1872) and James G (b.1876). Arthur described himself as a gun maker and ironmonger. In about 1883 the shop at 12 London Street was expanded into 14 London Street. In the 1891 census the family were recorded living at 21 Queen Mary Avenue, Cathcart. Arthur (III) was described as a gun maker's assistant, James was still at school. Between 1894 and 1897 the shop at 12-14 London Street was closed and the firm traded only from 144 Trongate. The firm had workshops at 2 Brunswick Street but the dates are not known.
The 1901 census records Arthur as a gun and fishing tackle maker living with his family at 21 Queen Mary Avenue. Both Arthur (III) and James were described as gun makers. In 1917 Arthur died and one of the two sons took over the business; the other may have left the firm or died. In 1924 the firm bought the stock of William Horton of 98 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. By about this time the firm was a limited company, Arthur Allen Ltd. In about 1926 the company moved to 3 West Nile Street. They were recorded in the telephone directories at 3 West Nile Street up to 1977, possibly later. They closed in about 1985.
Internet Gun Club has some details of serial numbers. Please send details of your gun or your query by email to archives@internetgunclub.com.
Other Info
The firm loaded cartridges under the names "Empire", "Super AA", Yellow" (post 1910), White Twenty" (post 1910) and "Three Star", they also sold Eley cartridges under their own name.
Tim
