James Woodward & Sons, 64 St James's
Street, London
12 bore Back Action Hammergun
no. 3280
Year of manufacture: 1874-79
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Click on these images for more detail.
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Heritage Guns' Comment Any gun by James Woodward is relatively
rare and exclusive but hammerguns are particularly rare and this
fine example of the Woodward and Emme patent is even rarer. No
doubt invented to get round the classic Purdey Bolt patent of
1863, this patent uses the rear lump bite of the Purdey combined
with twin lateral projections on the front lump to, in effect,
give a treble bite action. Also rather than use the long flat
spring of the Purdey patent, it uses a shorter 'V' spring mounted
in front of the trigger box.. 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;
Stanton rebounding back action locks with high 'Hare's Ears' hammers;
Percussion fences;
Long top strap;
Snap under-lever, operating a modified 'Purdey' type bolt;
Cross bolt/Wedge forend fastening.
There are some TIG weld repairs to the breech face.
Engraving style Very Best Foliate Scroll with Floral Detail.
Rounded action bar with 'WOODWARD PATENT' engraved.
Gun weight 6lb 15oz
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ½
lbs Rear trigger 3 ¾ lbs
The TIG sleeved 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, flat pigeon type.
London reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2013.
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 |
18.5mm
(0.728") |
0.728"
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0.034"
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0.014"
(Light Mod) |
| Left Barrel |
18.5mm
(0.728") |
0.729"
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0.032"
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0.025"
(Imp Mod) |
The replacement Straight Hand Stock
and original Splinter Forend are crafted from
figured walnut and the stock is cast-off for a right-handed shot, features
a white metal oval engraved with a coat of arms and an ½"
ebonite butt plate secured with engraved screws. The forend has a small
veneer inlay within the chequering and an engraved steel tip.
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Figured walnut
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The 20approx lines per inch chequering has
been freshened to the 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:
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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 3/4"
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15"
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15"
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15 3/8"
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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 5/8"
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1 3/4"
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2 1/2"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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1/8" (approximate)
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1/4" (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:
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of 1867,
Woodward & Emme bolting patent no. 267 of
1872.