shotgun question

[kentucky_smith]

Have an old Powell shotgun with "fine english barrel" SxS with hammers

has a side-lever instead of top. No serial number, not damascus.


What is this thing? Is this a William Powell from England? Were there any others?

 

[Jim K]

Is the gun marked with the full name? I am no expert, but I think William Powell shotguns always were marked with the full name and serial numbered.

Also, what is the quality of the gun? While never super top quality, the Powell guns were always high quality.

As you know, it was quite common for shotgun makers in the U.S. and Belgium to put on their guns names similar to those of top English makers. One check would be to look for proofmarks. English proof marks would mean that it is English and the English had/have strong laws against fake names. Belgian proofs, or none, would pretty well rule out English manufacture.

Jim

 

[Jagermeister]

This iswhat I have from SXS's of the World 2k, by Charles Carder.

POWEL & CLEMENT
ESTB 1839 AS PALEMON POWELL
CINCINATTI OH
IN 1856 BECAM POWELL & BROWN, AND IN 1858 POWELL. 1870 POWELL & SON AND FINALLY POWELL & CLEMENT 1891

POWELL & SON LTD
There is also a Powell established in 1802, however by 1847 it became known as William Powell & Son. He is best known for his design, in 1864, of the "Snap Action"mechanism. The guns had a top lever that tips up to release the breech lock. The LTD would indicate to me that this gun is English made.

They were imported by several arms dealers, to include Stoeger Arms as late ast 1947

JM

 

[Jim K]

Per their web site, William Powell is still very much in business in the UK; their guns are in the 10k pounds price range, so they are not cheap.

Take a look at: http://www.william-powell.co.uk/

As I said, English proof marks would show if the gun was English-made.

Jim

 

[kentucky_smith]

All I can find is Powell on each side, and I was wrong "warranted English barrels" on one of the barrels.

Pretty rusty, also missing part of the buttstock. Where would I find the english proofmarks?

 

[BEARMAN]

When you remove the barrels from the receiver or open the gun, under where the breech is there is a flat on the frame , there you will usually find all sorts of markings, if BRITISH , BELGIAN or any EUROPEAN make.

 

[layoungbl]

Did you ever find out about your shotgun. I have one that fits your description exactly.

 

[Ron James]

The post is 11 years old, I would hope he found his information by now, by the way, his description is of a Belgium knock offj not a fine English shotgun.

 

[Carolina Pirate]

I am working on an estate with 100+ firearms and I need a little help with some of the foreign made guns. Specifcally need the best resource to determine models,dates, values of Turkish made shotguns. Time frame would be 1970 to present.