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.
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The action is of Thomas Woodward's' design
and features:
Double triggers bolted by a non-automatic top tang safety toggle,
Sidelocks 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:
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Nominal Proof Size
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Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
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Minimum Wall Thickness
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Choke Constriction
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Right Barrel |
18.7mm (0.736")
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0.737"
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0.023" Minimum
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0.007" (IC)
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Left Barrel |
18.7mm (0.736")
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0.737"
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0.024" Minimum
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0.007"(IC)
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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.
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Well figured walnut stock
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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
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Pull to Bump
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Pull to Centre
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Pull to Toe
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14 1/4"
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14 3/8"
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14 1/4"
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14 5/8"
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Drop at Comb
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Drop at Face
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Drop at Heel
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1 1/2"
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1 5/8"
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2 1/16"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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Negligible
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1/16" (approximate)
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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.