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Feltwad

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Enclosed are images of a big game rifle by William Powel & Son which maybe of interest to members Built in the middle percussion era and only two of this type built by Powell it is four groove rifle octangle barrel , 40 inches long and 52 calibre. It also features a flat top rib sighting plain marked in gold at one inch interfolds and eight folding leaf sights
Feltwad
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Beautiful, but I don't understand why the top of the barrel would be marked off in inches? The inch markings and the various individual stretched-out leaf sights detract from the rest of the gun, IMHO.
Interesting chain-link pattern on the powder flask.
 
It's just spectacular. Thanks for sharing the images, Feltwad.
I first became aware of this English gunmaker way back about 1970 when our high school Interact Club took a field trip from Humboldt County down to San Francisco, and I happened to wander into the Abercrombie and Fitch store just off Union Square. And there, right before my eyes, was an immaculate William Powell double -- in the flesh.
Yes, Virginia, there used to be gun stores in San Francisco! 😄
 
Beautiful - a lot to take in - the sights - the rib - the ebony tip - the lock very upper end with the half **** safety . I really like a hooked breach so much easier clean . Very nice piece of wood .
 
The Crisco Kid said:
It is a beauty and more pictures would be great. I have a friend who had a similar English sporting rifle built in flintlock. Could the inches marking on the barrel be for antler measuring? Probably not but the idea occurred to me.
Click to expand...

Best answer I've ever hear/read, and quite in keeping with the use of this beautiful piece. Remember that when this rifle was made, the only large game in the British Isles was the Red Stag - wild boar had not been reintroduced, and, in any case, it's way too long for woodland shooting.

Dear Mr Feltwad, I was reminded of another one of your lovely rifles - Scottish Deer Rifle
 
You mentioned the deer rifle it was the fitting on the barrel muzzle which caused a lot of interest , most said it was a fitting for a bayonet even one member of these foru.ms said it was a poachers gun and the fitting was for a flash light . Personally I still believe it was a fitting for a stick rest because this gun was muzzle heavy
Getting back to the gun in the forum which I believe was used in Africa and India I have enclosed three images of the sighting along the broad rib which I believe is the elevation of the muzzle for distance
First image shows the wide open solid back sight with the leaf sights down
Second and third image shows the sighting rib marked of at 1inch interfiles
When the leaf sights are flat and you sight along the barrel all you see is the extra wide back sight and the fore sight on raising the muzzle you can the set the back sight on any of the inch markings of the sighting plain just by lifting the muzzle up or down thus giving you elevation on different shots .That is my explanation on the sighting rib but I may be wrong and are open to suggestions
When I first entered this thread I said the barrel was 40 inches my typing mistake it is 30 inches
Feltwad
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I Think that is the widest rib I have seen on a single barrel firearm. The trigger guard is also different in how low it extends down and then folds back toward the trigger. Do you have any guess as to the year this was manufactured?
 
New Hampshire said:
I Think that is the widest rib I have seen on a single barrel firearm. The trigger guard is also different in how low it extends down and then folds back toward the trigger. Do you have any guess as to the year this was manufactured?
Click to expand...
For a defined date I cannot say I did make inquiries to W Powell but they wanted a large sum for information I have a letter which came with the gun that it was restored by Powell which included a new stock and a trigger guard repair dated September 1984
Feltwad
 
Last edited:

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