INCREDIBLE TWO GUN TWO RIFLE SPORTSMANS BATTERY BY WOODWARD & FOSTER OF DONCASTER, ENGLAND IN MASSIVE TWO TIERED MAHOGANY CASE

INCREDIBLE TWO GUN TWO RIFLE SPORTSMANS BATTERY BY WOODWARD & FOSTER OF DONCASTER, ENGLAND IN MASSIVE TWO TIERED MAHOGANY CASE

01-26111

This very well made four piece garniture contains a weapon for almost any conceivable shooting situation to be found in the UK at the time of its manufacture (Circa 1833-42). It consists of a double 13 bore shotgun for grouse, partridge, pigeons, etc. (which saw the most use); a 11 bore single shotgun for ducks & geese; a small bore rifle convertible to early breech loader for fallow deer and rooks (?) and a 14 bore rifle for stags. All are contained in large brass bound mahogany case complimented by most original accessories. Guns and rifles are marked either Woodward & Foster or Woodward & Co. Very little information is available regarding this maker except approximate dates. It appears that they sourced these fine guns from best makers in Birmingham and London.

(1) Cal. 13 bore. S# 132. Double percussion game gun. The 30″ fine damascus barrels are engraved “Woodward & Foster Patent Gunmakers, DONCASTER” on raised concave rib. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs and S#’s. Breech plugs with unvented platinum blow outs have gold band across rear and rib extension is gold inlaid with a flying pigeon. Breech iron is nicely engraved with semi-relief scroll, front spring locks with flat faced broad hammers having stylized dolphin heads are also scroll engraved. “WOODWARD & FOSTER” is on stone set under a tree with running rabbit on left lock. Right lock shows same stone in open field with pheasant. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial with engraving of rail. Trigger guard is also scroll engraved. Stock of dense, lightly fiddle figured European walnut measures 14-1/2″ over steel buttplate with long scroll engraved top tang. Point pattern checkering is at grip. A silver rectangle with cut corners on top of grip is engraved with a billy goat rampant over initials “HB” (Consignor states that this is possibly Howard Bowser born 1825, of Doune, Scotland.). Stock attaches to barrels with captive sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. Greenheart ramrod with brass tip and tail (worm under cap) mounts through two beaded pipes and steel thimble with pineapple finial.
MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: 1-7/8″. DAC: 1-1/2″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/2″. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 9 oz.

(2) Cal. 11 bore. S# 143. High condition single percussion gun with 30″ twist barrel having under rib, is engraved “Woodward & Co Patent Gunmakers Doncaster” on top. Breech is filed with beaded Rigby type flats. Bottom of barrel is stamped with London black powder proofs and barrel maker’s initials “CL” (the famous Charles Lancaster). Nicely filed breech plug with gold band at rear and platinum band at front has unvented engraved platinum blow out. Scroll engraving is on top. Breech iron is nicely scroll engraved. Front spring lock with nicely filed serpentine hammer with stylized dolphin head is also engraved with open scroll “Woodward & Co” is on stone at rear of running rabbit and gnarly old tree scene. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial with standing pheasant under a tree. Tree and running rabbit scene is also on trigger guard bow. Ebonized walnut half stock with horn tip measures 14-3/8″ over case hardened steel buttplate with long top spur engraved with pheasant scene. Flat top point pattern checkering is at grip and a silver rectangle with goat and “HB” initials are at top of grip. Stock attaches to barrel with sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. A greenheart ramrod with brass tip and tail (worm under cap) mounts through two plain pipes and matching thimble.
MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: 1-5/8″. DAC: 1-7/16″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-3/8″. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 11 oz.

(3) Cal. .40 (with deep multi-groove rifling). S# NSN. Rare and pretty damn neat small bore percussion breech loading rifle with spare breech plug to convert back to muzzle loading. The 31″ twist steel sharply tapered octagon barrel fitted with single standing rear and tall blade front sights, is engraved “Gun Makers Doncaster” on top flat. It appears rifle was converted to this unknown type breech loading system at a later date. Breech loading mechanism consists of large breech plug holding transverse rotating cylinder with right side fitted with percussion nipple. Cylinder is rotated by hinged handle that snaps into spring loading retaining catch on left side of grip. Top of breech plug is engraved “Patent” and with some well cut scroll. Interchangeable breech plug with non-vented platinum blow out has platinum lines at front and back and is engraved with scroll matching breech iron. Birmingham black powder proofs are on bottom flat of barrel. Breech iron is nicely scroll engraved. Back spring percussion lock with flat faced hammer having dolphin head is also scroll engraved. “Woodward & Co” is at top rear. Trigger plate has small pineapple type finial which has foliate engraving. Trigger guard is also scroll engraved matching lock. Spectacular birdseye maple (a popular wood for guns and rifles ca. 1830) straight grip half stock with horn tip measures 14″ over steel buttplate with long top tang engraved with dog scene. Flat top point pattern checkering is at grip. A silver oval engraved with goat and “HB” is at top of grip. Stock attaches to barrel with captive sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. Ebony ramrod with brass tip and tail mounts through two plain pipes and matching thimble.
MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: approx. 1-5/8″. DAC: approx. 1-3/8″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14″. WEIGHT: 5 lb. 13 oz.

(4) Cal. 14 bore (multi-groove rifling). S# 1142. Superb original condition single shot sporting rifle of the type used for deer stalking during the 1820’s-40’s. The 33″ twist steel tapered octagon barrel with under rib is engraved “Woodward & Co Patent Gun Makers Doncaster” on top flat. Rifle is equipped with standing 100 and 3 nested leaf rear sight and steel bead front. Bottom of barrel is stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs and S#. Case hardened breech plug with vented platinum blow out has platinum band at rear, gold at front, with scroll engraving between. Breech iron is nicely engraved with shaded scroll. Front spring percussion lock with flat faced hammer having dolphin head is fitted with back sliding stalking safety. Lock and hammer are engraved with exceptional large open scroll within geometric borders. “Woodward & Co” is at bottom front of lockplate. Trigger is set. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial engraved in shell motif. Blued trigger guard with open scroll on bow has spur which extend to form pistol grip. Superb birdseye maple half stock with horn tip measures 14-1/4″ over blued steel buttplate with scroll engraved long top tang. A spring loaded patchbox engraved with scroll matching lock is on right side of butt. Flat top point pattern checkering is around grip and forend. Rifle is made with small right hand double beaded cheekpiece. A large steel button is on toeline along with silver oval engraved with goat and “HB” which matches other three guns. Stock attaches to barrels with captive sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. Heavy greenheart ramrod with mushroom shaped horn tip has brass tail and mounts through two plain pipes and matching thimble. Front pipe is fitted with sling eye.
MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: approx. 2″. DAC: approx. 1-1/2″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/4″. WEIGHT: 9 lb. 3 oz.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: all four weapons are housed in their very large 37″x16″x6-1/2″ mahogany storage box with sliding bolt closure. Box has inset brass corners and some brass banding as reinforcement. Top of lid has inset circular “D” ring handle. Central medallion is engraved “TD”. Interior is lined in blue velvet and a large paper Woodward & Foster label is in lid. Both guns are contained in top lift out tray and rifles are in bottom. Tray contains: 70 bore “WD” marked (William Davis) six cavity ball mould, “G. Roe” marked powder flask embossed with dogs heads, steel oil bottle, small rifle loading mallet, large rifle loading mallet, two nipple wrenches and a split blade turn screw with ebony handle. Newer accessories include a silver plated patchbox, a horn striker bottle, bone striker bottle, large brass oil bottle and a “G. Hawksley” marked capper. Compartments in bottom of case contain: two large patch cutters, one marked 1-1/2″ the other 1-5/8″, four smaller wad punches for .500, 15 bore, 14 bore & 13 bore, a large bronze six ball 14 gauge gang mould marked “W.D” (William Davis), a shot flask, two piece beech wood and brass cleaning rod with tips, two other greenheart and brass cleaning rods, one small for rook rifle and a space for the previously described percussion breech plug for small rifle.

PROVENANCE: from the renowned collection of quality sporting arms from Lewis Drake together with inventory of Lewis Drake Associates.

STATUS: ANTIQUE