E.T.Allen Co. San Francisco, CA

[John E. Williams]

I'm doing some research that's led me down the rabbit hole that seems to be the E.T.Allen Co., formerly located at 416 Market Street in San Francisco. I'm sure some of you guys have heard of this outfit, as it was apparently one of the biggest sporting goods stores on the west coast back in the late 19th century and a lot of Parker guns passed through there over the years. I'm fairly certain I've identified the building in this eerie precursor to Google Street View, appearing on the left of the video at around the 9:10 mark. Look for the big white billboard near the top of the structure. If I've copied this correctly, that's where the video should start:

https://youtu.be/IKRbTF5afSE?t=550

This was filmed shortly before the earthquake that mostly flattened downtown SF in 1906. I've found no historical references to the company following that event, so for the moment I'm assuming that was the end of it. Can anyone offer additional info?

[Dean Romig]

Too blurry for these old eyes to read.




.

[John E. Williams]

Sure enough, Dean. I just pointed out the billboard for use as a reference point. If I've got all the mapping figured out correctly, 416 would be at the city-side corner of Market and Front streets, seen on the left in the linked video. Front is the third street up from the ferry terminal.

Here's what it looks like today, which really has no bearing on any of this but it's quite a shocking change:

http://binged.it/1W71iDD

[Researcher]

Checking the 1905 San Francisco City Directory, I find --

Allen, E.T., Office 414 Market, R 2204 Jackson

In the commercial section under Arms & Ammunition I find

Baker & Hamilton

Bekeart, Phil. B. Co.

Claybrough, Golcher & Co.

Fischer & Bennett

Ladd, Edwin H.

Olympic Arms Co.

Reach, A.J. Co.

Shreve & Barber Co.

also the west coast offices of Marlin, Remington, Smith & Wesson, UMC and Winchester. I also checked under Gunsmiths, and Sporting Goods and no E.T. Allen listed.

In the 1900 San Francisco City Directory I found --

Allen, E.T. Co., E.T. Allen President, com. merchants, 416 Market

No mention in the Arms & Ammunition section.

Here is a link to on-line San Francisco City Directories --

http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=2000540401

Knock yourself out!!

[John E. Williams]

Thanks, Dave. I was wagering you'd bring something to the party. Looks like I'll be spending the evening going over the SF City Directory!

I did find this undated scrap of info that specifically mentions the E.T. Allen Co. connection to Parker Bros. and several other gunmakers:

[Bill Murphy]

E.T. Allen seems to have been located at that address. What further information are we looking for. I'm game to search. I have searched for this dealer in the past and I don't remember finding much else to identify him.

[double barrel]

Larry Sheltons fine book California Gunsmiths 1846 - 1900 has some additional information in it. Do you have that info?
Ken

[John E. Williams]

Originally Posted by Ken Descovich

Larry Sheltons fine book California Gunsmiths 1846 - 1900 has some additional information in it. Do you have that info?
Ken

I sure don't, Ken. Even though I've lived in San Francisco twice over the years, I've not done any significant research on the area as relates to the firearms trade. This whole subject sprang up as a result of another project I'm working on where the Allen Co. has came up as a major player in that affair. Is the information you have something that could be relayed along by scanning, or a phone pic or something? Any help is of course, much appreciated!

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

E.T. Allen seems to have been located at that address. What further information are we looking for. I'm game to search. I have searched for this dealer in the past and I don't remember finding much else to identify him.

I'm basically looking for anything I can find at this point, Bill. I've learned the proprietor was apparently a colonel in some context, as he's addressed as such in several of the snippets I've found. Started doing business in SF along about 1875 and apparently did very well for himself. I've found no references to him or the business dated any later than just before the '06 earthquake so for now, I'm left to assume that was the end of it. Update: Allen appears to have sold out to H.E. Skinner sometime in 1900.

[double barrel]

Send me your e-mail and I can send you a picture
maynard_rifles@att.net

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

John I commend you and wish you good luck on your research.
Someday MAYBE our Parker order records will be digitally available and we could find out every gun that was sold through that dealer and to whom, etc.