The firm was founded in Birmingham c. 1860 by Alfred George Horton and Harry Allday. Horton died in 1886 and the business was continued by Allday, who maintained the name Horton & Allday. The firm was active at 193 Warstone Lane, Birmingham, where it remained until 1931 when moved to 58 Northampton Street. London offices were at 6 Arundell Street Coventry Street, Leicester Square (1913) and 47 Poland Street, London (1913). Horton & Allday entered hallmarks in Birmingham, Chester ("H & A" in 1894, 1895 and 1906), London ("H.A" in 1887 and "Hn & Ay" in 1897) and Sheffield ("H & A" in 1903) Assay Offices. The firm participated to the 1915 and 1920 editions of the British Industries Fair.