In the early 1800's, Samuel Allcock founded S. Alcock & Company in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. He and another Redditch manufacturer, Charles Laight, visited Canada and decided to form a partnership to sell Allcock's British-made tackle along with Laight's needles & small wares in Canada and to make and sell fishing rods in Canada. In 1854, Mr. Milward was sent to Canada to set up the business of providing sporting equipment and clothing, as well as essential supplies for hunters and trappers. Beginning with a location on King Street in Toronto, the business moved several times, finally ending up at Sportsmen Headquarters on 230 Bay Street next to the Toronto Stock Exchange. Milward was replaced by Benjamin Westwood in 1868, and in 1885 he bought Laight's partnership and firm became Allcock, Laight & Westwood in 1898. In 1919, the firm was bought by two of its directors. By 1925. they were making their own lures and in 1927 they also began manufacturing lures for the Creek Chubb Bait Company of Garrett, Indiana, at that time one of the largest tackle producers in the world. By the early 1950's, the company had moved its head office and factory yet again to Leaside, Ontario. The company appears to have been rolled up sometime in the 1960's.
Update: Oct 2024; In the comments, K Kerr adds the following;
They were selling snowmobiles called Arlbergs (basically a clone of the Alouette) in 1969 and I also once owned their 1971 fishing catalogue. About this time they went into receivership but found new investors but finally closed down the fishing division in 1975. They limped along selling ski stuff into the early '80's and then finally went out of business. This all happened when they were in Brampton, On.
Bill Edgar of Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough bought some of their dies for his own company (like the Half Wave and Full Wave spoons).
Do you happen to know when AL&W moved to Sportsmen Headquarters on 230 Bay Street?
ReplyDeleteI have am original box from very old SkiRite bindings made by this company. Can't seem to post a photo here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! You can send images to me at Gerald@vanwyngaarden.ca
ReplyDeleteI'd be glad to post them.
I have a rare set of golf clubs made by this company. Never seen another set. Estimate 1930’s to 40’s.
ReplyDeleteI worked for them until they closed in 1967
ReplyDeleteThank you for supplying the closing date, it can be so hard to find. Do you have any stories or pictures to share?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
It is incorrect that alw went out of business in 1967. They were selling snowmobiles called Arlbergs in 1969 and I also once owned their 1971 fishing catalogue. About this time they went into receivership but found new investors but finally closed down the fishing division in 1975. They limped along selling ski stuff into the early '80's and then finally went out of business. This all happened when they were in Brampton, On. Bill Edgar of Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough bought some of their dies for his own company (like the Half Wave and Full Wave spoons).
ReplyDeleteThank you for that information. I will add it to the post.
ReplyDelete