doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New William Powell And Sons 12 Gauge

Thanks again. Birmingham proof 1868-1875, with bore 13 = .710" - .728"
No re-proof.

Possibly Bro. Helsley knows the identity of 'JT' and 'JK'? Tube maker? Barrel finisher?
This list ends in 1857
https://paperzz.com/doc/9021082/birmingham-gunmakers-list

Is there a list in Douglas Tate's "Birmingham Gunmakers"?

While Tate's book has an excellent short history of William Powell and how that firm prospered after WWII by which time many Birmingham makers had gone out of business and still more would do so before the end of the 20th century, he doesn't have a list of the craftsmen who worked for Powell. But for those who own and collect Powells, it would be worth the price of Tate's book just to have the information it contains on Powell as well as the history of the Birmingham Gun Trade.

What a fantastic Powell. Thanks for sharing. I have one that looks much the same except my wood is not of that caliber. I love my Powell Lifter and have taken many upland birds with it over the last 15 years. I believe my serial number is in the 5000 range.

My gun (4661) also has barrels by JT. There are no (old) marks on the barrel flats (which now carry the modern nitro reproof marks at 0.732 in). The new marks are small and unusually clear and well stamped. Any earlier mark would almost certainly be still visible.

I will see if I can find out who JT and JK were.

Pre-1875 Proof marks are usually (as on Shrapnel’s gun) stamped on the tubes rather than the barrel flats.

Yes, the 'old' marks on mine (including the "JT") are on the barrels exactly as Shrapnel's. Unfortunately, my contact was unable to provide a name for either JT or JK. It is possible Steve Helsley may know, or know someone who does.

I have the exact same model gun. I got it because I had to make the spring that works the push lever to open it. Not an easy spring to make. I was telling someone and he had knowledge of someone who had the same gun that also needs a spring.
I contacted the owner and struck a deal to buy his gun since he was afraid of shooting the Damascus bbls. It was also missing a hammer and several screws all of which I made . That was 12 years ago and I've been shooting mine at vintage events and bird hunting ever since . I absolutely love it