June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Chopper lump barrels of Whitworth Steel, are engraved "James Woodward & Sons 64 St. James's Street London. S. W." and with steel information on slightly raised concave game rib. Barrel flats are stamped with London black powder proofs. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with serial numbers and "WHITWORTH STEEL". Case hardened sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold, and covered by T-shaped extension of safety button), side clips, bushed strikers, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators inside classic Woodward "bug-eyed" pivots, as well as double triggers. Action is filed in "best" manner with nicely shaped beads and classic Woodward arcaded fences. This was undoubtedly built as a "best" gun, but apparently the customer was not a fan of extensive engraving, as this gun only has very well cut beaded borders. Pin heads are also engraved. "J. Woodward & Sons" is on each lockplate. Trigger guard is blued, and serial number is on tang which extends to horn grip cap. Well marbled and figured European walnut Prince of Wales grip buttstock measures 15-1/8" over 1-3/8" extension which appears to be fitted to original curve (stock measures 13-3/4" to end of original wood). Stock also features classic drop points, point pattern checkering at grip, and vacant silver oval. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Original makers leather case with stitched leather corners is lined in scarlet cloth, and has old paper Woodward label in lid. Case contains ebony and brass cleaning rod with long rod and short handle, broken case extractor, horn striker block, and some cleaning implements. Fine, original, as found. Barrels retain approximately 60-70% original blue, considerably silvered and thinned from normal hand wear, on sides, with numerous marks and small patches of roughness. Action retains 20-30% original case hardening color, strong where protected. Lockplates retain over 90% of their original color. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of their original bright blue finish. Stocks show considerable hand wear, with drop points wearing thin, and checkering considerably worn, and in some places almost smooth. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny, but with three or four small dents mostly on top of left barrel. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is quite dark and rather soft. One strap and handle replaced, one strap missing. Interior cloth is fair. Label is good, considerably darkened and foxed, and has a rub-through. Cleaning rod is good. This is a very fine gun. Includes letter from Woodard & Sons.
Barrel Wall Thickness
(L) .033. (R) .030
Choke
(L) .018 (mod) (R).08 (IC)
Internal Bore Diameter
(L) .728 (R) .728
Manufacturer
J. Woodward & Sons