Premier Fine Art & Antiques Auction
August 29, 2023
Below is just a small portion of the massive selection of high quality art & antiques to be featured in our upcoming August 29th 2023 auction! This auction will span multiple genres of collectibles, including Fine Paintings & Art, Jewelry & Silver, Orientalia, Rare Glass & Lamps, Early & Victorian Furniture, Decoys, Carvings, Coin-Op, & MORE!
VERY FINE PAIR OF BEST WOODWARD STYLE SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS BY E. PIRLET WITH CASE.
22-4463 & 22-4464
Cal. 12 ga. 2 3/4″
S# 1796
This best quality pair of guns were undoubtedly made by James Woodward & Company as the guns utilize Southgate & Woodward’s patent action combined with Scott’s spindle and top lever. Locks are stamped “CHILTON” on the inside. Guns were made for and retailed by E. Pirlet of Paris, known to have been working circa 1890 at 26 St. Honore, Paris. The 29 7/8″ chopperlump barrels are engraved with retailer’s name and address along with “Brevete” on slightly raised concave game ribs. Barrel flats are stamped with French Nitro proofs for 2 1/2″ chambers and 2010 London Nitro reproofs for 2 3/4″. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with Belgian black powder proofs and the number “217”. Case hardened square back sidelock actions have water tables stamped “Pirlet Brevete” and with French proofs. Action also features typical Woodward style T-shaped nonautomatic safety which covers “S” (inlaid in gold), hidden third fasteners, bushed strikers, sideclips, raised tumbler end pivots as normally found on Woodward guns of the 1890s, and double triggers (fronts articulated). Action is nicely filed and fences are arcaded also in classic Woodward style. Action and lockplates are engraved with near full coverage very well cut small scroll within scroll borders. “E. Pirlet” is on each lockplate. Trigger guards are also scroll engraved and serial numbers are on tangs. Well matched straight grip buttstocks of finely marbled and lightly figured European walnut, measure 14 5/8″ over checkered wood butts. Drop points are well shaped and point pattern checkering is at grips. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. The numbers “1” and “2” are gold inlet on central uncheckered diamonds. Irons are stamped with “E. Pirlet” “Brevete”. Projections on rear of extractor lifters cock ejector hammers.
MEASUREMENTS: GUN “1”: BBLS: Bore Diameter: R .729″, L .729″. Restriction: R .028″ (IMOD), L .041″ (EXTRA FULL). Min. Wall Thickness: R .022″, L .021″. STOCK: DAH: 2 1/16″. DAC: 1 3/8″. LOP: 14 5/8″. CAST: approx. 1/2″ off. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 10 oz. GUN “2”: BBLS: Bore Diameter: R .734″, L .734″. Restriction: R .030″ (FULL), L .046″ (EXTRA FULL). Min. Wall Thickness: R .020, L .020″. STOCK: DAH: 2 1/16″. DAC: 1 3/8″. LOP: 14 5/8″. CAST: approx. 1/2″ off. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 8 oz.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: guns are housed in a best quality oak and leather two gun case with brass corners embossed “CAPT. T. J. Tailby” ” XI. H.”. Interior is lined in royal blue cloth and has “Henry Clark” “Midland Gunworks” orange paper label in lid. Interior partitions have oak tops. There are two covered compartments in bottom with brass knobs, no accessories are present.
STATUS: CURIO
