doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com End of an Era: Wm Powell sold

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.

At one time I owned a Powell No.1 12bore made in 1928 which was restored/rebarreled by Powell's. Ten years ago, I visited these folks in Birmingham. I expected to be in and out of their store within 30 minutes - 3 hours later I just made the train back to London. They were great people to deal with - sorry to hear that they were sold. I guess this is progress. I believe that the only other makers left in the Birmingham area are A.A.Brown and Westley Richards - correct me if I'm wrong here.

Powell was a sleeper sort of gun. I have an 1896 best that I obtained through Bill Wise and his friends in England. It is the only 20 gauge I shoot well. The cocking mechanism is finicky though. The personnel at Powell & Son could not have been more helpful. They open their books to gun owners, assist in finding parts and so on. Hope the story isn't true about leaving B'ham.

I am very surprised to hear the Powell family selling their business, it certainly is the end of an era. Weren't they the 2nd oldest, behind Beretta, for the longest continuously family-owned gunmakers?

In 2002, I contacted Wm. Powell and Son to learn more about my recently acquired Wm. Powell & Son .410 back-action hammergun and Peter Powell graciously sent me a copy of the original ledger of the gun's build date of Dec. 24, 1886. I had a ball shooting this gun, but regretfully have sold it.

William Powell, often refered to as the Purdey of Birmingham , has made many important contributions to the development of the shotgun and gun trade. In addition Mr,Peter Powell has served as the chairman of the Birmingham Proof House committee, in this capacity he has spent much time and effort in opposition to the draconian gun regulations forced on British sportsmen and the gun makers. I have visited Powells well over 100 times. I have always been treated with the utmost courtesy, given access to their records and with their sposorship toured the Birmingham Proof house.
GregSY your comments are, out of order and are illadvised.

In the early 90's I traveled to England and by chance got to spend some time with some of the remaining craftsmen of the Birmingham trade. Apon leaving and as a gift, I was told by Mick Wagstaff to go to the attic and select an old case to take with me. This is the one I chose. I'm sure one time there was a lovely set of guns that went with it. Paul D.
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You may be interested to know that Malcolm Osbourne of J.M.Osbourne has bought William Powell.
Malcolm is Co-Owner with Sir Edward Dashwood of Churchill Guns of West Wycombe.The significance of this is we now have the owner of Churchill Guns owning a Birmingham Gunmakers so hopefully once again Churchills will be or could be made in Birmingham.I hope that pleases the late Don Masters(although he did have his moments with Malcolm).
Good to see that Powells will continue and not be owned by Gregsy.

How sad,

I bought my first gun from Powells in (wait for it)1961 for the princely sum of £43; every time I visit Brum I take the opportunity to poke round Carrs Lane.

In truth it's recently become more of a fishing kit and clothing / gadget seller than real gunmaker, I guess the numbers of punters for the home built guns were falling below the point where it made real money.

Regards
Eug