doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Info on english J T Powell

Anyone heard of this maker. I found proofs are Birmingham and The Crossed Sceptres & Crown mark and its association with
the gunmakers Ketland. Maybe 1868 -1875 Don't know who B.J.W&Co And what the 14 stands for Gauge? Don't see any 12 on barrels anywhere but 12 gauge shells fit nicely. Doubt it's 14 gauge though read they made some back then.

http://s1375.photobucket.com/user/ddaymude1/library/

ttt

Don't have any info on J T Powell. The 14 means that when the gun was proofed the bores would accept a 14 gauge plug Gage (.693") but not a 13 gauge one (.710"). It was proofed prior to the chamber size in diamond marking. I have a Birmingham proofed W Richards which also has bores marked 14 but has 12 gauge chambers. It was either built with undersized bores or has been subsequently rechambered. I am betting it was built this way.

thanks for info 2-piper

Maybe the B.J.W. & Co. is some American Import house or the like:

B.J.W. & Co., Lock Box 46, Mercer Pa.(Pennsylvania)????

For the moment with the information @ hand, me thinks it was made in Liege in the white & shipped directly to the Birmingham proofhouse where a maker their entered it as their own wares & then it was forwarded on to a client/importer in the U.S. of A. & peddled here? It is possible some effort was applied in Birmingham before its arrival in the U.S. of A. There was an exception in the Belgium law where it could be shipped naked of proofmarks to another acknowledged proof facility. In Birmingham, if it wore any foreign marks(typically Liege) it could be declared "Foreign Make".

Any history with the piece? Any other stamps on the action or locks?

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

IGC Has nothing on Ketland in the UK post around 1820.

Looking for UK B W entries there were none for any BJW & Co, but the following MAY be applicable:

Benjamin Walker was recorded as an action maker at 23 Steelhouse Lane from 1914 to 1916. In 1920 he was recorded at Back of 26 1/2 Whittall Street. William Walker & Son of 31 1/2 Whittall Street (1926-1929), George Walker of 95 Weaman Street and 31 1/2 Whittall Street (1930-1932) and Walker Isley & Co of 31 1/2 Whittall Street (1920-1921).

As for JT Powell, IGC has no one close to that reference I'm afraid.

Tim

Saw a reference for barrels marked bjw&co on a W. Richards marked double.

BJW is currently the FBI code (used by states and localities as well) which refers to Blaser Jagdwaffen GmbH, Isny/Allgau, Germany. However, doubt BJW&Co. refers to Blaser.
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/NCIC_Gun_codes_490348_7.pdf

Following are a few references to BJW&Co found on the web..some of which may refer to your gun from posts several years ago. It looks like all of these guns on which this stamp occurs were in the 1860�s�.some were English made with English proofs; they had various manufacturers names .. W. Richards, Powell, J.N. Scotts, Harris and Co, W. Moore. Wonder if BJW&Co might have been a barrel maker?

� B.J.W. & CO. - Marking found on an English made 10 gauge hammer double
http://www.cornellpubs.com/free-files/Shotgun%20Markings-Vorisek%20BW%20Portrait.pdf

� 2009: I have a old double barrel shotgun that's stamped W. Richards. It also has a B.J.W&Co stamped under the barrel, with crossed swords and what looks like a crown stamped. Is this a Belgium or English gun? Anybody got a guess. I'm not having any luck online. Seems to be Belgium..but I can't find anything about the B.J.W & Co. stamp.. It's been in the family for ever
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/i-have-a-o....-17471218.html

� 2011: I am trying to find out some information on a sxs shotgun . On the side plates engraving (bird dog and pheasants) with the word POWELL there as well. Under the breech area ther is the words B.J.W. & Co., along with a possible serial number. Two sets of makers marks. This gun has double triggers and s-type hammers. Firing pins appear to be of a pin (nail) type. The gun was purchased between 1860 and 1865 new.
http://www.gundirectory.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4603

� 2010: I have an old shotgun that I can't seem to ID. The markings are B.J.W & Co. It is a break action with two triggers. I believe it is a 12ga but there are no markings about the gauge. If you know anything about this gun I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
https://www.shootersforum.com/shotguns-shotgunning-shotshell-reloading/64199-help-id-my-old-gun.html

� J. N. Scotts Percussion Shotgun Manufactured circa 1860-1880. "B. J. W. & Co" along with some Birmingham proofs on the bottom of the barrels. Manufacturer: English Model: Side By Side BBL: 36 inch solid rib Stock: walnut Gauge: 12 Finish: brown/casehardened Grips: Serial Number: NSN Class: Antique Condition: OF - FAIR: some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken.
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/fo...90-c-672487ab85

� Cowan�s Auctions; Double Barrel Shotgun by Harris and Co.; Lot #: 537;
12 gauge, 28.375" laminated steel barrels, English proofs, B.J.&W. Co. markings inside.
http://www.bidsquare.com/l/537/double-barrel-shotgun-harris-and-co

� I have recently come across W, Moore shot gun. After reading some of the old blogs it seems that it could be a nock off so I'm wondering if any one can tell me if it is the real deal and a little more info about it. Thanks so much. here are some pics of the gun.
http://photobucket.com/Bullrun78
http://forum.mlagb.com/YaBB.pl?num=1250607869

As for JT Powell....here are the only three reference I can find; the 10 ga may be a repeat; one commentator suggested that JT Powell was "John Powell." there are modern English SxS's made in Spain but "regulated in England" carrying the John Powell name but doubt this is connected to the 1800's guns: More searching might turn up something:

-- Question: I have an old side by side double barreled 10 guage shotgun engraved "J. T Powell." Can you tell me anything about it? Both hammers have been broken off; one has been welded back on. Thanks!
Answer: Your shotgun was probably made by John Powell in Great Britain circa 1878-79. Look for the English barrel proofs.
http://www.gabelguns.com/QuestionsAndAnswers/ViewQuestion.asp?QuestionNumber=10844


-- 2005: English made 10ga double hammer shotgun in 10ga. with 30" damascus barrels, and with good to fair bores , mostly the area ahead of the chamber has some pitting. The doll's head rib is lightly engraved, as are the side locks, trigger guard, and top tang. LOP is 13 3/4" with a black hard rubber butt-plate.. Splinter style forend has a repaired section on the front left side,where the wood is traditionally very thin, but is a professional job, and not as noticeable.Gun locks up tight, and hammers work good. Chambered for the 3" black powder shell. Barrels have a good damascus pattern.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/965111291/J-T-POWELL-10GA-HAMMER-SHOTGUN.htm

-- POWELL 12GAUGE DOUBLE BARREL S/N 1455
Description:
I have a Powell double barrel 12 gauge,30'' barrel 46'' overall serial number 1455. This gun shows its age, dings, scratches, crack in stock. I am selling it for $600OBO.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100644344

The name J.T. Powell is more than likely a red herring.

Below pretty much sums it up. An importer or maker could import components into the Birmingham proofhouse with the tubes in the "Tube State" & the proof facility would apply the appropriate marks if, if the tube was void of any Belgian marks. Then akin to the U.S. of A. in circumventing tariffs, the separate components could be cobbled together for a low end sporting weapon w/ Birmingham proof marks & exported to a country w/out proof laws. It was all about the Benjamins. The London makers would source the Birmingham makers for tubes in the "Tube State" and the Birmingham makers would in turn source the Belgian makers for tubes in the "Tube State". But there may have been a gap in time of the London - Birmingham sourcing and the subsequent Birmingham - Liege sourcing. I'm all but positive this is the case for those odd, arcane, slightly misspelled firearms merchant names. Liege had an exception in their proof law that they could export directly to a country w/ a proof facility their wares being devoid of their proofmarks. I'm highly confident this was the case & it may be that the importer/exporter B.J.W. & Co. may have been in Amsterdam or similar?


Arms & Explosives Nov. 1903.

I have more if any are interested.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse