James Woodward & Sons, 64 St James's Street, London
12 bore Bar Action Sidelock Ejector
no. 4641 (No 1 of a Pair)
Year of manufacture: 1892

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Heritage Guns' Comment

A highly experienced gunsmith to the English guntrade told me once that he rated James Woodward's shotguns over all other 'Makers. A short while later, when he saw this example, he reminded me of his comment and said it was guns like this that were the reason as it exhibited Best design and finish in every respect.
This gun was built using the 'Thomas Perkes' ejector box: a direct competitor to Westley Richard's Deeley system. In fact the two mechanisms were so similar, the two companies fought a court action over it which Richards lost. Perkes may have won the battle but he lost the war: the court costs bankrupted him.
Due to the parlous state of the original Whitworth Fluid Pressed Steel barrels, we have had them TIG sleeved and furthermore had a set of four Teague Interchangeable Thin-wall chokes fitted. The engraving is really in first class condition and, coupled with the interchangeable chokes and spectacular wood, makes it a very pretty, safe and highly 'shootable' gun for either game or clays.

Presented in a Leather & Brass case with reproduction maker's label and some accessories.

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

 

The action is of traditional design and features:
Double triggers bolted by an automatic, top tang safety slide of classic Woodward style;
Bar action sidelocks with bolstered tumbler pivots;
Gold lined cocking indicators;
'Robertson' style interceptor sears;
'Rogers' style cocking levers;
Thumblever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt'; 'Perkes' ejector box;
'Anson' forend catch;
Disc-set strikers with vented retaining pins;
Arcaded fences.
Engraving style Very Best Foliate Scroll. Gold inlaid SAFE at slide.
Very probably engraved by Kell or Sumner.
Gun weight 6lb 8oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½ lbs, Rear trigger 4 ½ lbs
The TIG sleeved, chopperlump Whitworth Fluid Pressed Steel barrels are 29" in length, 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.
Birmingham reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2015.

Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.5mm (0.728")
0.729"
0.034"
Teague Interchangeable
Thin-Wall Chokes x 4
Left Barrel
18.5mm (0.728")
0.728"
0.036"
Teague Interchangeable
Thin-Wall Chokes x 4

The original Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from very highly figured walnut and the stock is cast-off for a right-handed shot, features well defined drop points, a vacant white metal oval, a 7/8" well matched wood extension and is finished with a chequered butt.
The forend has a finely engraved steel tip.

Highly Figured walnut

The 20 lines per inch chequering has been freshened 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.

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

Pull to Heel
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 1/2"
14 5/8"
14 9/16"
15"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
2 1/8"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
1/16" (approximate)
1/4" (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:
Roger's cocking levers patent no 397 of 1882,
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863,
Perkes ejector patent no 12176 of 1887,
Anson's forend fastener patent no. 3791 of 1872.