William Powell & Sons 16b Bar-action,
Bar-in-Wood Hammergun
no. 8250
Year of production: 1886-1887
Click on these images for more detail.
Heritage
Guns' Comment
William Powell & Sons were
justly renowned for their Bar-in-Wood hammerguns in the 19th Century
and for all its understated border engraving, this is a very pretty
example.
Made originally with 29" damascus barrels, we believe than
in 1977 a second set of 28" steel barrels were added and
the case relined to take both sets. Both sets of barrels have
been re-proofed in 2012: the steel to 2 ¾" nitro and
the damascus to 2 ½" nitro. We have also relined the
case, as it was getting very shabby inside, and fitted the original
label.
The 3-part ebony and brass rod was with the gun when we found
it and we have no reason to doubt that it was the original rod
supplied when the gun was new. One hammer has possible been repaired
and the chequered thumb piece re-chequered.
With its lockable Maker's case, two sets of barrels and sensible
length stock, it represents a pretty and highly 'shootable' gun
for either game or clays.
WE REGRET THAT
THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN,
PLEASE CONTACT US.
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The action is of traditional
bar-in-wood design and features:
Double triggers;
Bar action locks; Stanton patent rebounding, low level hammers; Broad
strikers;
Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of 'Scott Spindle';
Passive 'Doll's Head' top extensions;
Anson's pushrod forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb (damascus) 6lb 4oz (steel)
Engraving style Border with scroll detail.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 1/2lbs Rear
trigger 4lb
The damascus barrels are 29" in length, chambered for 2
½ " (65mm) cartridges; the steel barrels are 28"
in length and chambered for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are
both of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
There is some light, vestigial pitting to the damascus barrels, left
in to maintain wall thickness.
Top ribs are of the smooth, concave, game type.
Damascus: London reproof for 65mm nitro powder cartridges:
Steel: Birmingham reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges,
both in 2012.
Approximate barrel measurements
at date of publication:
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Nominal Proof Size
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Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
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Minimum Wall Thickness
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Choke Constriction
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Steel |
Right Barrel |
16.8mm (0.661)
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0.662"
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0.027" Minimum
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0.008" (IC)
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Left Barrel |
16.8mm (0.661)
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0.661"
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0.023" Minimum
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0.020" (Mod)
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Damascus |
Right Barrel |
17.2mm (0.677)
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0.680"
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0.022" Minimum
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0.002" (Skeet)
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Left Barrel |
17.2mm (0.677)
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0.679"
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0.020+" Minimum
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0.002" (Skeet)
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Straight hand grip Stock and Splinter
Forend are crafted from well figured walnut.
The forend has 2 inlet edge repairs and the stock carries a vacant white
metal oval and is finished with a ¾" leather covered recoil
pad. The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot.
The 20 lines per inch chequering has been freshened
in a normal sidelock pattern.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation
as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish
uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many
hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface.
Approximate stock
measurements at date of publication:
Pull to Heel
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Pull to Bump
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Pull to Centre
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Pull to Toe
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14 5/8"
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14 11/16"
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14 11/16"
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15 1/8"
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Drop at Comb
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Drop at Face
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Drop at Heel
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1 7/16"
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1 5/8"
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2"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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Negligible(approximate)
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1/4" (approximate)
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For the purposes of these measurements,
'Drop at Face' is the 'drop' measurement taken on a line perpendicular
to the
line joining the trigger and centre of the butt at approximately 8"
from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).
Patents Exhibited include:
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865,
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872,
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of 1867.