Bill Large barreled rifle...???

[Skychief]

I bought a rifle with a Bill Large barrel on it today.

Can anybody tell me approximately when he made it?  It has a "L" stamped on the muzzle.   On a flat on the left side appears "W. M. LARGE" in a rainbow (crescent) shape.

It is 45 caliber with 8 grooves,  a LEFT hand twist, and 1" across the flats.

Any insight into its age and/or ANY other information about Bill Large's barrels is greatly appreciated!   Thanks, Skychief.

[Dennis Glazener]

I have a Bill Large barrel on a Leonard Reedy rifle built by Earl Lanning. Earl said he built the rifle in the Mid 60's. The barrel has J.J.J.J in an arc with an L. underneath it.
Dennis

[Skychief]

Thanks Dennis.   I suppose my barrel predates yours (no JJJJ).   Is your barrel rifled with a left hand twist?

[Dennis Glazener]

Never checked. When I push a patch in the ram rod turns clock wise in relation to the front sight. This barrel appears never to have been fired. Its as smooth as silk!
Dennis

[Daryl]

I had a Bill Large barrel, made early 80's, I think - that had the J's.

[smylee grouch]

I had two of Bills barrels, bought in 1973 or so and they both had jjjj ranch & machine shop if I remember corectly.

[Eric Krewson]

Here is a barrel from the early 70s. This is only a guess because I don't know when this gun was built. The lock is a Bob Roller lock marked with a "73" on the inside of the lock plate. I assume this stands for 1973.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

...interesting application of the "G".

[Roger B]

Taylor, Bill didn't spend a lot of time on details.  I once bought a barrel from him that was 8 sided, but was not even close to octagonal.  Another really senior shooter in my area once ordered a .54 cal half stock type barrel & received exactly what he ordered.  The only problem was that it appeared as if Bill had used it as some type of a backer for something else that he was drilling, or perhaps used it to check his drill stop with, & it basically looked like a Swiss cheese.  Nothing into the bore mind you, just riddled.  Full retail.  He exchanged it without comment.
Roger B.

[Ben Gorey]

My Bill Large barrel from middle 1960's   has no J's.