Guns International #: 101402347

Category - Woodward, James Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double

Category
Woodward, James Shotguns
Shotguns - English Double

James Woodward & Sons 12 bore Bar Action Sidelock Ejector with Two Sets of Barrels

Description:
   ***   SOLD   ***   JUST IN FROM THE UK   ***   Manufactured in 1898 and No.1 of a pair this beautiful Woodward has been refurbished by Toby Barclay of Heritage Guns UK. We have had the huge privilege to work on several of these Woodward ‘Automatic’ sidelock ejectors and have always been impressed by the shear, uncompromising quality of the gunmaking. Gun no 5241 displays some styling features of earlier guns such as the bolstered tumbler pivots, classic Woodward engraving style and unique T-shaped safety slide but has moved into the modern era with wood ‘stocked to the fences’ and no breech side-clips. A very unusual feature is the ‘rebounding’ tumblers which ensure that the disc-set firing pins do not hang up. New stock and forend have been fitted by a highly experienced professional, probably within the last 50 years, and they did a beautiful job, removing only the bare minimum of material from behind lockplates and action to maintain maximum strength. The original ‘Special Gun Barrel Steel’ barrels had become painfully thin by 1972 which explains the additional steel barrels by Chaplin of Winchester. Engraving remained wonderfully crisp on locks, action and barrels and the main focus of our restoration has been to TIG sleeve the original barrels, replace pins and have interchangeable long-series Teague chokes fitted. This gun’s fabulous condition coupled with our light-touch restoration makes it a very useable, safe and highly collectable gun for either game or clays. Presented in its contemporary Leather & Brass case, blocked for both sets of barrels, relined in new wool baize and fitted with reproduction case labels, spare Teague chokes, Teague choke key and some accessories. Special Note: The mate to this gun (no. 5242) is identical in every way and is currently under restoration and may be purchased to complete the pair when available.   ***   The action is of traditional sidelock design and features: Two barrel sets: 28” fixed choke & 29” Teague choked; Toplever opening, operating a double bite ‘Purdey Bolt’ via a ‘Scott Spindle’; Double triggers bolted by an automatic, top tang, Woodward-style safety slide; Bar action, 9 pin sidelocks with bolstered tumbler pivots; Robertson style interceptor sears; Gold lined cocking indicators; Rebounding tumblers; Vented disc-set strikers; ‘Perkes’ ejector box; ‘Anson’ forend catch; Arcaded fences. Engraving style Very best foliate scroll with floral detail. Very probably engraved by Sumner. Breech face stamped ‘THE AUTOMATIC’ TRADE MARK’. Gold inlaid ‘SAFE’. Top rib, toplever and forend tip gold inlaid ‘1’. Top rib engraved ‘MADE OF SPECIAL GUN BARREL STEEL’ Gun weight 6lb 13oz (29” barrels). Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½lbs, Rear trigger 4lbs.   ***   The TIG sleeved steel barrels are 29" in length with 4 x Teague chokes, the additional steel barrels by BE Chaplin are 28" in length and have fixed chokes. Both sets of barrels are chambered for 2 ¾” (70mm) cartridges and are of dovetail lump construction with soft soldered ribs. Top ribs are of the smooth, concave game type. Birmingham reproof for 2 ¾” nitro powder cartridges in 2019. Barrel dimensions for 28” original barrels: The left barrel is bored 0.730 with a constriction of 0.020 for Modified choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.028. The right barrel is bored 0.734 and has a constriction for 0.010 for Improved Cylinder choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.020. The 29” barrels are Teague choked with tubes for Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified and Improved Modified chokes. Both barrels are bored 0.725. The right barrel has a minimum wall thickness of 0.033. The left measures at 0.034.   ***   The replacement Straight-hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut and the stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot, features well defined drop points, a vacant white metal oval and a checkered butt. The forend has a finely engraved steel tip. The 24 lines per inch checkering has been refreshed to its original pattern. The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface. Stock dimensions are 15-1/8” by 1-1/2” by 2-5/8”. Cast off for the righthand shot.   ***   Woodward was a top tier maker and known for producing some of the most handsome and high quality doubles available. This beautiful gun handles well and would be ideal for game or clays.  ***   US Agent for Heritage Guns UK. Buyer is responsible for all shipping, insurance and related charges. I give a three-day non-firing inspection and will only accept returns if gun is not as described.  

SOLD

Antique: Yes