The English Allcocks Hooks of Redditch ‘the Making Process’

S. Allcock & Co’s Hook Reference

S. Allcock & Co.: The Standard Works of Redditch

A History of the World’s Largest Fishing Tackle Manufacturer

Introduction

For over a century, S. Allcock & Co. was not merely a company; it was the industrial engine of the angling world. Based in Redditch, Worcestershire, the “Standard Works” factory at its peak employed hundreds of skilled craftsmen and exported millions of hooks, rods, and reels to every corner of the British Empire. This page outlines the company’s evolution from a humble needle-maker’s shop to a global conglomerate, and its eventual absorption by modern corporations.

Part 1: The Needle Origins (1800–1848)

The story begins in Redditch, a town already famous as the needle-making capital of the world. The skills required to temper, point, and bend steel wire for sewing needles were nearly identical to those needed for fishing hooks.

1803: Polycarp Allcock, originally an apprentice in the needle trade, founded the company. Like many in Redditch, he began manufacturing fish hooks as a “sideline” to the primary needle business.
Early Growth: For the first several decades, the business was a small, regional operation. The hooks were handmade, labor-intensive, and sold primarily to local merchants.
The Next Generation: Polycarp’s son, Samuel Allcock (born 1829), joined the business at age 10. By his teenage years, Samuel was already conducting sales trips across the country, displaying a business acumen that would eventually transform the entire industry.

Part 2: The Golden Age of Samuel Allcock (1848–1900)

In 1848, Samuel Allcock officially took control of the company. Under his leadership, S. Allcock & Co. transitioned from a workshop to a massive industrial power.

Expansion and The “Stag”

Samuel realized that to dominate the market, he needed to supply everything an angler might need, not just hooks. He expanded production to include:

Rods: From heavy greenheart salmon rods to delicate split cane.
Reels: Brass winches and early wooden reels.
Accessories: Floats, lines, and baits.

By 1880, the company employed over 400 people and claimed the title of “The World’s Oldest and Largest Manufacturers of Fishing Tackle.” The famous “Stag” trademark became a global symbol of quality, recognized as far afield as Canada and New Zealand.

The First Major Acquisition (1856)

Unlike modern corporations that grow by buying rivals, Allcock largely grew organically. However, one key acquisition secured their dominance in hook making:

1856: Allcock purchased the business of George Andrews, a highly respected local hook maker. This acquisition brought specialized tooling and skilled labor into the Allcock fold, laying the groundwork for the famous “Model Perfect” hook range—a design still revered by traditional anglers today.

Part 3: The Industrial Engine (1900–1960)

The turn of the century saw Allcock’s solidify its reputation for high-end engineering, particularly through strategic partnerships that functioned like “shadow” acquisitions.

The “Redditch System” & The Aerial Reel

Allcock’s operated as a hub for the town of Redditch. While they had their own massive factory (The Standard Works), they also absorbed the output of smaller, independent craftsmen.

J.W. Young Partnership: The most famous example is the Allcock Aerial reel (introduced c. 1900-1910). While marketed and sold by Allcock, these masterpieces of engineering were largely manufactured by J.W. Young & Sons. Allcock effectively monopolized Young’s output for decades without technically owning the company yet.

War and Innovation

During WWI and WWII, the factory converted to produce precision springs and equipment for the war effort. This forced modernization kept their machinery cutting-edge. In the post-war 1950s, they were among the first to introduce fiberglass rods (the “Billy Lane” series) while maintaining their dominance in split cane.

Part 4: The Era of Consolidation (1960–1969)

The 1960s brought fierce competition from cheap foreign imports and the rise of fiberglass, forcing the historic Redditch firms to band together for survival.

The “Top Tackle” Merger (1963)

In a final bid to consolidate the British industry, S. Allcock & Co. merged with its biggest local rivals under the ownership of the investment group Cope Allman. This entity was known as “Top Tackle.” This merger officially brought the following companies under one roof:

S. Allcock & Co. (The wholesaler and general manufacturer).
J.W. Young & Sons (The reel specialists, finally losing their independence).
Lee of Redditch (Famous for split cane rods and terminal tackle).

The Shakespeare Takeover (1965)

The “Top Tackle” experiment was short-lived. In 1965, the American tackle giant Shakespeare acquired the entire group.

The End of Independence: This marked the end of S. Allcock & Co. as an independent entity.
The Fire (1968): A massive fire destroyed much of the original Standard Works factory on Clive Road. For many historians, this fire symbolized the literal death of the Victorian tackle industry in Redditch.

Summary of Acquisitions & Mergers

Year	Company Acquired / Merged	Specialty	Significance
1856	George Andrews	Hook Manufacturer	Provided the tooling and skilled labor for the “Model Perfect” hook range.
1963	J.W. Young & Sons	Reels	Merged into Allcock’s via “Top Tackle.” Makers of the famous Aerial and Ambidex reels.
1963	Lee of Redditch	Rods & Tackle	Merged into Allcock’s via “Top Tackle.” Known for high-quality cane rods.
1965	S. Allcock & Co.	(The Company Itself)	Acquired by Shakespeare, ending 160 years of independence.

Legacy

Today, the S. Allcock & Co. name exists primarily in the world of vintage collectibles.

The Model Perfect: Their hooks remain highly sought after by fly tyers for their unique temper and shape.
The Aerial: The Allcock Aerial is considered the “Stradivarius” of centerpin reels, with rare models commanding thousands of pounds.
Corporate Lineage: The intellectual property eventually passed from Shakespeare to Pure Fishing, and later to private equity firms, though the original Redditch factories are long gone.