This business was apparently founded in about 1818 by George Allen, who was born in Sheffield in about 1794.  His first listing in a directory appears to have been in 1837, when he was manufacturing pen knives and razors in Eyre Lane.  By 1841, George Allen was listed as a manufacturer of razors, spring-knives, plated spoon-fork, patent convoluter, in Eyre Lane and Duke Street.  His residence was in Duke Street, where he lived with his wife Elizabeth and their son Robert (who was born on 16 November 1829).  By the 1850s, George Allen’s address was Duke Street Cutlery Works, Park.  In 1861, George Allen & Son advertised in the Sheffield directory and The London … Goldsmiths, Silversmiths … Directory (1861) its extensive range of ‘best pen and pocket knives’ and other products.  Robert had now joined the business.  In 1870, the business relocated to Granville Works, Granville Street, Park.  This had been the address of Pryor Bros, whose partners had retired.  Allen & Son rented the factory until 1877, when apparently the Allens acquired the lease of Granville Works, alongside Pryor Bros’ name and mark.  Granville Works included:

Manager’s Dwelling House, convenient Counting House, four Warehouses, four Dressing and Burnishing Rooms, Engine House and Steam Engine, Grinding Wheel, with Seventeen Troughs and Shafting for about 40 cutlers, 10 Forging Shops, Steelhouse, Packing Room, Stable, Coach-house, and other Buildings, with Spacious Yard Room, Reservoir, with an unfailing supply of water for the Steam Engine … (Sheffield Independent, 9 October 1877).

By 1879, the firm traded as Allen & Son, with Robert Allen (Western Bank) as the owner.  It continued to make pen and pocket knives, particularly sportsman’s knives, but also sold scissors marked with Pryor’s ‘USE YOUR TIME WELL’.  Allen’s own mark was three Maltese crosses; and the firm acquired the set square/dividers of John Barber.  By 1881, Robert Allen lived at Brocco Bank, with his wife Mary.  His factory employed 30 men and 14 girls.  His father died at Kearsley Road on 1 June 1883, aged 88, and was buried in the General Cemetery (his wife had predeceased him in 1882, aged 80).  Robert Allen died on 3 June 1898, aged 68, and was buried in Ecclesall.  He left £24,180 net.  Allen’s registered a silver mark in 1900, but this may have been after its takeover by Joseph Elliot.  Edward Pearce was apparently associated with the company at this time.