July 12, 2013, 02:38 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: July 12, 2013
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white powder wonder
looking for mfg. date and location, value ?...White Powder Wonder, 20 ga., single barrel, hammer cock, 28" barrel, 397 KQ EED on 3 pieces
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July 12, 2013, 03:09 PM | #2 |
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Location: Alabama
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The White Powder Wonder was a Sears brand, made for them by Crescent, Davenport, Meridien, and Stevens over the period 1900-1925. I don't know how to tell which contractor and just when. They cost $4 - $5 before WW I.
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July 13, 2013, 12:23 AM | #3 |
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The name was a reference to a kind of early smokeless powder, which was a sort of fluffy white and looked a bit like large grained washing powder. They were among the first shotguns to have bored barrels rather than built-up barrels, like Damascus twist or laminated.
Given the increased power of modern loads, the likely chambering for older shorter shells, and the age of the gun, I would not fire it even if it looks to be in good condition. Jim |
July 15, 2013, 06:50 PM | #4 |
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It would have only decorator value, today........................ . |
July 16, 2013, 05:54 AM | #5 |
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"The name was a reference to a kind of early smokeless powder..."
Yep. Major brand was Shultz's White Powder. It was a nitrated wood pulp that was suitable only for use in shotshells, and predated nitrocellulose powders by some years.
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"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. |
July 16, 2013, 12:01 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: March 17, 1999
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And IIRC, those guns sold for all of $2.50. It is a bit ironic that the barrels were drilled and were probably stronger than the Damascus barrel "quality" guns selling for $60 or more.
Jim |
July 18, 2013, 11:31 PM | #7 |
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Yep. People didn't realize the inherent strength of the new fluid steel barrels, but they did recognize the "craftsmanship" that went into damascus barrels.
I say "craftsmanship" because by the time the White Powder Wonder came out virtually all damascus barrels were being machine forged and finished, not done by hand.
__________________
"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. |
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