One Bill Large Barrel and One a Mystery?

[galudwig]

I was at the Ohio Gun Collectors Association Meeting today and I scored two barrels, one of which was made by Bill Large. The gentleman I bought them from was selling off the last of his dad's gun parts and he made me an offer that I couldn't refuse (both barrels for $200), so I jumped on them. I'm hoping Bob Roller will see this post as I'm curious if he has any insights on these barrels.

The first barrel is a straightforward Bill Large barrel.  It is.45 cal., 15/16" across the flats and 36" long (muzzle to breech). "W.M.Large" is stamped on the top flat and a series of 8 "J's" are stamped around the muzzle. The bottom flat is stamped with a stock makers name (Arlen Saunders), date (April 8 1960), place (Ripley O), and (made) "For Douglas Bronnerberg." The outside flat on the right side has already been drilled for a powder drum (should be able to fit a 3/8" White Lightening liner too). I was kind of excited about the fact that this barrel was made 7 mos. after I was born!











The second barrel is a mystery though. The seller didn't know if it came from Bill Large. The barrel has no markings on it whatsoever. It is .54 cal. with flat bottom rifling. It is 1" across the flats and is 29 1/2" long (plus the breech block which is about 11/16" long). I'm guessing it was made for a Hawken type rifle as the back of the breech is hooked and has a slant to it. The "snail" area is unfinished and still square. The face of the plug inside the barrel is still flat, so I'm not sure what is going on (unfinished patent breech maybe???). The front and rear sight slots have already been milled in and you can still see mill marks on the flats where the breech and barrel meet. I thought all of Bills barrels were stamped, but maybe not. Any ideas Mr. Roller (or anyone else)?  There was a partially shaped Hawken style stock on the table, but I didn't look at it closely.







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[smokinbuck]

I saw the same barrels, they were on Arlen Saunders son's table. Good buy on the Large, no idea about the 2nd barrel. Arlen built a number of rifles and also completed for a while. He was a retired professor from Ohio University in Athens and had a pretty complete machine shop at home. I dealt with Arlen several times and he was knowledgable, a good builder and a gentleman.
Mark

[Daryl]

I remember the name, Arlen Saunders - no more. Perhaps noted in The Buckskinner magazine.

[smokinbuck]

Arlen was a collector of fine European rifles, scheutzens and others. I know he shot OTL and maybe some bench, not certain. Enjoyed visiting with him and hearing about the latest project or acquisition.
Mark