Autumn Sale of Fine and Sporting Arms
Lot 98:
J WOODWARD & SON A 12-BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR SERIAL NO 5389
Ribbed butt, rich, dark stock, worn chequering to straight grip and forend. The plain, tapered rib engraved ‘JAMES WOODWARD & SONS 64 ST JAMES’S STREET LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH’S FLUID PRESSED STEEL’, the breech end with ‘3’ inlaid in gold in an acanthus frame. Arcaded fences with sideclips, blued top lever with ‘3’ inlaid in gold, automatic safety with ‘SAFE’ the same. The action, bright, densely and delicately engraved throughout with fine acanthus scrolling, ‘J WOODWARD & Sons’ mounted on a cartouche to the sides, cocking indicators. In a leather case with interesting labels. Provenance The manufacturers have very kindly confirmed the following Woodward, No. 5389 Completed: 30th August 1899 For: Hon. Osbert C. Molyneux Description: A toplever hammerless ejector game gun Weight: 6lb. 8oz. Calibre: 12-bore Barrels: 29in. Whitworth Steel Choke: Cylinder & 3/8 Choke Stock: 15 3/8in. Notes: Action with clip sides Numbered ‘3’ on top rib, toplever and forend-tip (no note as to what it was built to match) Straight-hand stock "It may have been built to match 4991/2, completed in 1895, but it isn’t cross-referenced so that is mostly supposition."
Weight 6lb 6oz, Chambers 2 1/2", Choke Pull 14 5/8", Barrels 29", OAL 45 1/2"
Reproof 1954 – 1989 London
Proof .740, .729 Readings .742, .736 Walls 18.5, 20
FAA – Sect 2. Shotgun Certificate / RFD required to buy this item.
M - C, F - C, W - D, B - B The engraving crisp with no wear. The barrels with silvering to the muzzle, thinning to breech and localised patching under the forend. The bores very clean with no marks nor riffling. The stock worn with a chip (see photos) and the chequering softened considerably but little other damage.
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