(A) WILLIAM POWELL 4 BORE HAMMER RIFLE

Cal. 4 bore. (.955 Groove diameter. Multi-groove Enfield type rifling.) 4" Chamber. 28" Tapered, heavy, octagon, Damascus barrel has large fluted side bolsters and matted top barrel flat engraved “William Powell & Son” in raised unmatted portion. Barrel is fitted with one standing, two folding leaf rear sight, and silver bead front dovetailed through. Bottom flat is stamped with Birmingham black powder proof, “6”, and serial number. Breech portion is engraved with “2” on flats flanking matted top flat. Heavy, rounded, Jones underlever action is fitted with peninsula back action lock mounted with large serpentine flat faced hammer. Action engraved with “2” on breech section of top tang, has simple line border engraving, as does lock, which is engraved “William Powell & Son, Carrs Lane, Birmingham”. Steel trigger guard with serial number on tang, extends to steel grip cap. Nicely figured and marbled European walnut buttstock with point pattern checkering at grip measures 14 - 1/8" over steel buttplate. A silver oval and sling loop matching that on bottom of barrel, are on toe line. Matching splinter forend with Schnabeled horn tip, attaches to barrel with captive side nail through engraved oval steel escutcheons, and is nearly fully checkered. “2” is engraved on iron. Weight: 16 lbs. 5 oz. CONDITION: Very good, mostly as found, showing expected hard usage, but careful maintenance, with barrel and action mostly a gray to brown patina, but have traces of original finishes showing through. Stocks have a considerable number of light and heavy marks under a light oil finish. Checkering has been cleaned up sometime in the past, and remains good. Bore is excellent. Action is very tight. Lock is crisp. Hammer is a later, well fitting, replacement. A great old African heavy game rifle.

Name

Value

Barrel Length

28 - 1/4"

Caliber/Bore

4 Bore

Drop at Comb

Approx. 1 - 3/4"

Drop at Heel

Approx. 2 - 5/8"

FFL Status

Antique