J Crockart & Son, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland
'The Acme', Spiral Spring Woodward Model
12 bore Sidelock Non Ejector
no. 319

Date of manufacture: 1875-1887

Click on these images for more detail.

Heritage Guns' Comment

This gun represents a fantastic opportunity to obtain one of the most delightfully simple, early lever cocking hammerless actions. Each lock has only four component parts but still achieves an elegant design with excellent trigger pulls and fine weight distribution. With its non-auto safety, shorter than normal barrels and open chokes this gun tends towards skeet and close, fast game shooting such as quail, partridge and grouse rather than long range targets. Good barrel measurements, 2 3/4" chambers and a sturdy locking bolt make this a safe gun for clays and game.

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

 

The action is of Thomas Woodward's' design and features:
Double triggers bolted by a non-automatic top tang safety toggle,
S
idelocks with rounded lock plates, Sprung strikers,
Under lever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' and cocking the locks,
Cocking indicators,
Anson push rod forend catch.
Gun weight 6lb 6 1/2oz Engraving style Border and Scroll
Trigger pulls
measure approximately: Front trigger 5½ lbs Rear trigger 4½ lbs (These have been adjusted for feel rather than poundage)
The good quality Damascus barrels are 27" in length (probably shortened sometime in the distant past), chambered for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs. Top rib is of the smooth, concave, game type. The ribs were re-laid before browning.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2009.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.7mm (0.736")
0.737"
0.023" Minimum
0.007" (IC)
Left Barrel
18.7mm (0.736")
0.737"
0.024" Minimum
0.007"(IC)

Straight Hand Grip Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut. The stock has a very slight cast off for a right-handed shot, well defined drop points, features a vacant oval and is finished with a 3/4" ebonite butt extension, secured with engraved screws.

Well figured walnut stock
The 20 lines per inch chequering has been cut to the normal sidelock design. 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.

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

Pull to Heel
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 1/4"
14 3/8"
14 1/4"
14 5/8"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
2 1/16"
Cast at Comb
Cast at Heel
Negligible
1/16" (approximate)

For the purposes of these measurements, 'Drop at Face' is the 'drop' measurement taken on a line perpendicular to the
line joining the trigger and centre of the butt at approximately 8" from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).

Patents Exhibited include:
Thomas Woodward's patent no. 651 of 1876,

'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,

Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.