Spring 2024 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
June 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th, 2024
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
TRULY FINE BRACE OF 1914 PRODUCTION J. WOODWARD & SONS SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE TRIGGER GAME GUNS WITH ORIGINAL CASE & ACCESSORIES. FRESH TO MARKET FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNERS FAMILY
24-2136, 24-2137
Cal. 12ga, 2-1/2” BOTH
S# 6418, S# 6419
Although these guns appear to be built as a pair with numbers 1 & 2 inlaid in gold on top levers, forends and barrel ribs, they are presently a brace with different lengths of pull and choking. Gun 1: with fairly open chokes and shorter length of pull appears to have been made for upland game where quicker handling and shorter distances are involved. Gun #2 with its longer length of pull and tighter chokes would be ideal for pass shooting doves and wood ducks. The family from which these guns have descended was located in mid-state New York where they would find considerable use given these configurations. Both guns have 28” chopper lump barrels engraved “James Woodward & Sons. 64 St James’ Street London S.W. Made of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Fluid Pressed Steel” on narrow swamped game ribs. Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2” chambers. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#’s, maker’s initials and “WHITWORTH STEEL”. Casehardened sidelock actions feature automatic safetys with classic Woodward T shaped safety buttons, tops of which completely cover “SAFE” inlaid in gold. Actions also feature bushed strikers, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators and double triggers. S#s, maker’s name and proofs are on watertables. Actions are beautifully filed and feature classic arcaded fences in usual Woodward style. Action and lockplates are engraved with Woodward’s house style, well cut scroll with rose bouquet highlights. Each lockplate is engraved with maker’s name. Stocks made from nicely matched blanks of very finely marbled and lightly figured European walnut have round knob Prince of Wales grips as often found on Woodward guns. Gun #1 measures 14-3/4” and Gun #2 measures 15”, both over black leather covered pads. Stocks feature usual drop points, point pattern checkering and gold ovals on toe lines engraved “F.R.H.”. Blued trigger guards are also engraved with rose and scroll. S#s are on long rounded tangs. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases.
MEASUREMENTS BBLS: Gun #1 Bore Diameter: L .734. R .734. Restrictions: L .006. (IC). R .006 (IC). Wall Thickness: L .026. R .025. Stock: DAH: 2-9/16”. DAC: 1-5/8”. LOP: 14-3/4”. CAST: approx. 3/8” off. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 9 oz. Gun #2 Bore Diameter: L .732. R .734. Restrictions: L .014. (MOD). R .014 (MOD). Wall Thickness: L .029. R .028. Stock: DAH: 2-1/2”. DAC: 1-5/8”. LOP: 15”. CAST: approx. 3/8” off. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 9 oz.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: guns are housed in their original 2 gun oak and leather case with brass corners. The exterior is embossed with decorative outlines and “F.R. HITCHCOCK” “WESTBURY.” “N.Y.”. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth and has small paper Woodward label in lid along with Hitchcock family label. Case contains most original accessories including cleaning equipment, snap caps, glass oil bottle and striker bottles.
STATUS: CURIO
