Need information and possible value of my Henrich Barella Drilling

[Axel E]

Though the thumbnail photos don't open up on my computer, here is what I can make out of the tiny images. This drilling seems to be of high grade, both mechanical and execution/engraving. It is not a common Blitzschloss – Drilling with the locks mounted on the triggerplate, but a much rarer true boxlock drilling, locks mounted inside the action body. Such "Anson-"/boxlock drillings were much more complicatrd, read expensive, to make, even more so than sidelock drillings. If you look really close and apply a caliper to the action body you will note: The underlugs and their recesses in the action bar are not centered under the rifle barrel, as usual, but slightly set over to the left. This was usually done to provide space for two locks on the right and one on the left side of the action, without making the action unnecessarily wide and heavy. The advantages of a boxlock drilling: The triggers are about 1" closer to the breechface than on an "ordinary" Blitz- or sidelock drilling. This moves the center of gravity back too, making the gun less muzzle heavy. The buttstock wood at the "head" is hollowed out much less, reducing the risk of breaking.
Heinrich Barella G.m.b.H., gunmakers to the court, Berlin, Französische Str. 25-26, branches in Magdeburg, Hanover, Soest and Frankfurt on Main, was founded 1844, failed 1932. The Barellas, Heinrich, August, Fritz and Max, had most of "their" guns made to their specifications by the Suhl guntrade. But I also know a very fine 12g sidelock ejector signed "H. Barella", made like a best grade British shotgun, made for Barella by the Britte brothers in Liege.

[Freakshow]

Yes. Barella apparently made high quality guns. From what information I have found on the internet, it seems he was commisioned to make weapons for German nobles, persian royalty, and Russian Czars. I also read that if the gun he made was to go to a member of this select group, he would stamp a crown on the weapon. Mine has that, and it is on the lower reciever inside the breach area if I recall. I can take more pics when I get home and upload the images that you need. As I said, my grandfather was very particular about which European gun he would buy. He knew his stuff, but wouldnt tell us much. He was also secretive about his collection and kept them under lock and key always. So my information is vague on this gun. Just what I have dug up on my own.

[Nathaniel Myers]

For some reason the pictures will not open on my phone or my desktop either. I thought it was just my phone, but apparently not.

[mike ford]

Freakshow,
Follow Nathaniel's advice, but since the photos won't open up also describe the marks you see. If there is either a 12 or 16 in a circle that means it has the normal, for the time, chamber length. For the time the gun was made, this would be shorter than todays standard of 2 3/4"( 70mm). The rifles caliber will be designated by bore( not groove or bullet) diameter in mm and the case length, also in mm. This may result in a number that doesn't match the nominal caliber that the cartridge is commonly known by. Do not be disturbed by this, it is normal, and we can likely ID it from the marks. While possible, it is not likely that a chamber cast would be required for a drilling made at the time yours was. Some cartridges may have different designations for the same cartridge on the box. Because of this, I wouldn't advise selling any of your ammunition, until it is positively identified( this is not to say it all is for your guns, even I have ammo, for which I have no gun). This is a very nice "setup", I hope you will hunt with it.
Mike

[mike ford]

Freakshow,
Follow Nathaniel's advice, but since the photos won't open up also describe the marks you see. If there is either a 12 or 16 in a circle that means it has the normal, for the time, chamber length. For the time the gun was made, this would be shorter than todays standard of 2 3/4"( 70mm). The rifles caliber will be designated by bore( not groove or bullet) diameter in mm and the case length, also in mm. This may result in a number that doesn't match the nominal caliber that the cartridge is commonly known by. Do not be disturbed by this, it is normal, and we can likely ID it from the marks. While possible, it is not likely that a chamber cast would be required for a drilling made at the time yours was. Some cartridges may have different designations for the same cartridge on the box. Because of this, I wouldn't advise selling any of your ammunition, until it is positively identified( this is not to say it all is for your guns, even I have ammo, for which I have no gun). This is a very nice "setup", I hope you will hunt with it.
Mike

[Freakshow]

No, I won't sell any of it until I figure out exactly what ammo that I have goes with the weapon. Aftet that, yeah, I will sell off any ammo that I have no use for. As fir hunting with it, I may take it once and kill a deer. Then from that point on, It will be a museum piece in my gin cabinet. Too expensive and beautiful to risk marking it up hunting. Will get the numbers soon. Try saving the pic thumbnails and opening them up.

[algmule]

Hello

Freakshow,
if your Kessler side by side is an F.W. Kessler I´d be somewhat keen to see images.

On topic: I have an H. Barella G.m.b.H. at the adress Berlin W 8, Französische Straße 24 in 1924. If there was a change of address or if he occupied No. 24 as well as 26 and 26 I don´t know. Apparently the shop at No. 24 was the Hauptvertriebsstelle for some Bandwurmmittel in the form of Bandwurmpillen. Also, a Barella seems to have been Amanullah Kahn´s (Afghanistan?) Waffenlieferant in 1931.

Kind regards
Peter

[algmule]

Hello

I tried to edit the above post(s) but apparently that´s no longer an option. It should of course be "as well as 25 and 26 . . ".

So here are two more posts. If someone not as computer challenged as me could explain why I always get two posts that would be very welcome. At least I only have to log in once now. Always something.

Kind regards
Peter

[mike ford]

Peter,
Mine wouldn't let me edit the extra one out either. I don't know what the problem is.
Mike

[mike ford]

Peter,
Mine wouldn't let me edit the extra one out either. I don't know what the problem is.
Mike