Quick clarification on who made "modern" Powell guns.
They had two lines: a foreign-sourced line, with Spanish sidelocks from, at different times, Grulla and Arrieta. For a time they also sourced guns from A&S, in Italy; one a Holland-type SLE and the other a Westley Richards-type hand-detachable "droplock." Some of these guns were finished out in the UK.
They also retained, as their flagship line, entirely British-made best-quality boxlocks and sidelocks, made around the trade by outworkers and partially in-house. In most recent years I believe the esteemed actioner, Bob Turner, had a hand in most of these (such as the pair of Alan Brown-engraved guns on the cover of Nigel Brown's British Gunmakers Vol 2). I've had the good fortune to handle these particular guns and the quality of craftsmanship as well as their handling qualities matches Brown's skills at embellishment. Powell's also had one of Birmingham's best barrel filers working in-house, though I think he's since passed on.
This does point up the danger, however, when British gunmakers begin selling foreign guns under old hallowed English names, as the potential for confusion in the consumer's mind is considerable. "Oh ... their guns aren't made in Britain anymore ..."
Hats off to the Powells, though, for flying their family's flag for two centuries. Anyone involved in a family business knows what a feat this is.
