James Woodward & Sons, 64 St James's
Street, London
12 bore Back Action Hammergun
no. 3417
Year of manufacture: 1874-79
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Heritage
Guns' Comment
Any gun by James Woodward is relatively
rare and exclusive but his hammerguns are particularly rare and
this fine example is possibly unique. Its uniqueness stems from
a very unusual method of bolting the gun: a pair of bolts that
hinge like a scissor, slotting into bites cut in the sides and
rear of the elongated lump.
No doubt invented to get round the classic Purdey Bolt patent
of 1863, this patent uses a huge area of the bite to achieve its
lock-up, spreading the load over a much bigger area than a Purdey
Bolt.
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 can find no registered patent for this design.
The gun has considerable amounts of original hardening colour
and this coupled with the sensitive restoration and unique mechanism
makes it a very rare and collectable gun for any student of the
top of the London guntrade.
Cased in a relined Oak & Leather case with reproduction label
and some accessories.
Note: Due to the style of the barrel bolting, we would recommend
that the user ensures that the underlever is fully home when loaded
and that only light loads are used.
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 traditional
design and features:
Considerable original hardening colour;
Double triggers;
Stanton rebounding, back action locks with high 'Hare's Ears' hammers;
Percussion fences;
Hold-open, snap under-lever, operating a pair of longitudinal bolts;
Cross bolt/Wedge forend fastening.
Engraving style Very Best Foliate Scroll. 'WOODWARD's PATENT'
engraved on breech face
and under action bar. Barrels stamped 'J.W.& S.'.
Gun weight 7lb
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ¼
lbs Rear trigger 4 ¼ lbs
The Damascus 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
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Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
|
Minimum Wall Thickness
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Choke Constriction
|
Right Barrel |
18.8mm (0.740")
|
0.740"
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0.019" @ 8"
from muzzle
|
0.004" (Skeet)
|
Left Barrel |
18.7mm (0.736")
|
0.736"
|
0.021" @ 7"
from muzzle
|
0.006" (Skeet)
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The Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are
crafted from boldly figured walnut and the stock is lightly cast off
for a right-handed shot, features a white metal oval engraved with
'JFM' in Gothic script and a finely engraved iron butt plate secured
with engraved screws. The forend has an engraved steel tip.
There is evidence of some 'shakes' in the stock horns, being the separation
of the grain along natural fault lines. However they have been stabilised
with modern adhesives and although they may become more apparent over
time, we do not believe they threaten the structural integrity of
the stock. We would however recommend the use of light recoiling cartridges.
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Boldly
Figured Walnut Stock & Forend
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The 19 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
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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 3/8"
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14 5/8"
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14 1/2"
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14 7/8"
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Drop at Comb
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Drop at Face
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Drop at Heel
|
1 1/2"
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1 3/4"
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2 1/8"
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Cast at Comb
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Cast at Heel
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Negligible
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1/8" (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:
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
Stanton's rebounding lock patent no. 367 of 1867;
Hackett's forend fastener patent no. 964 of 1878.