Description:
James Woodward & Sons 12 gauge Sidelock Ejector, antique & exceptional.
If you’re a collector of the finest English shotguns in the world, you must include a Woodward alongside your Boss, Purdey and Holland & Holland. In fact, Woodward’s craftsmanship was so superior that this was the only gun manufacturer that James Purdey & Sons ever purchased. Purdey acquired Woodward in 1948, merging their famous skills and innovative patents such as Woodward’s over-under design, to become part of the Purdey legacy – a testament to Woodward’s quality.
This gun was completed in 1896 during the height of James Woodward’s production with his two sons James and Charles. What makes Woodward’s pedigree even more extraordinary is the fact that all shotgun manufacturing, engraving, fitting, etc., down to the thousandth of an inch, was hand-crafted without the assistance of automated machining, computer measurements, or electronic assistance. Absolute master craftsmen invested hundreds of hours into each shotgun they made by hand.
Noted British gun specialist Jack Rowe rates Woodward among the best in the English gun trade: “They made best-quality sidelocks, and I have not seen a bad one yet. All their guns have their signature ‘arcaded fences’.” George Caswell, an American expert on British guns, agrees, stating “Woodwards are among the very best. The workmanship is excellent-plus. Wodward guns are not common, and command a premium of 30 to 40 percent. The great interest in Woodwards lies with serious students of the gun. The occasional buyer knows little about Woodward, but automatically thinks ‘Purdey.’ Relatively few Woodwards were made, but they are one of the best.” Swiss-born gunmaker Edwin von Atzigen says Woodward guns have been consistently “the best guns I’ve ever seen. Better than Purdey, better than Holland & Holland.” Quite rarified company and accolades to be considered when searching for a unique addition to one’s collection.
In exceptionally handsome condition, the sidelocks are hand-engraved in ornate acanthus scrollwork with finely detailed highlights throughout the locks, trigger guard, floorplate, toplever and topstrap, with the maker’s name “J. WOODWARD & SONS” bolstering each lock in a cartouche. Top safety reads “SAFE” inlaid in gold, along with the number “2” inlaid in gold on the toplever. Woodward’s protruding cocking indicators on each sidelock are also inlaid in gold. Woodward’s famous scalloped fences are not only ornately engraved on the fences themselves, but highly detailed acanthus scrollwork are within each arcaded fence. The internal springs which retract the firing pins when cocked are both functioning well, and the face, flats and action are virtually spotless and include removable striker discs. The maker’s name “JAMES WOODWARD & SONS” is even finely engraved on the face itself. The double-bite action locks up tight with absolutely no play or looseness. Matching serial numbers 48xx are on the fore-end, trigger guard, and action flats. Strong ejectors function flawlessly.
This pre-1898 antique reflects the original “13/1” annotation on both barrel flats indicating antique bore measurements (.719 by modern measurements) when it was originally black powder proof, as well as the original antique black powder London proof marks, including the provisional proof mark lion rampant over intertwined letters “GP” on the barrel flats, faint definitive proof marks “GP” under a crown on the barrel flats, and faint view marks “V” under a crown on both the barrel flats and action flats. Maker’s initials “J. W&S” are on both chambers just ahead of the barrel flats. Chokes are fixed and measure approximately IC and ¼ choke for the right & left barrels respectively. The 28” barrels with brass sight bead have excellent measurements, and are marked at .719 for right and left bore diameters, and 35 thousandths for both the right and left wall thickness.
Condition:
Used, Minor Wear
Brand:
James Woodward & Sons
Caliber:
12 Gauge
Location:
NY
Trades Accepted: No
Shipping Notes: This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a US military family stationed in the UK, and ship at an insured and flat rate of $125 because this package with the gun case is heavy; usually takes less than a month to arrive in the US. However, for purchases at or above listing price I will cover the cost of shipping.
US military family stationed in England
