E.T.Allen Co. San Francisco, CA

[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.