JAMES WOODWARD “THE AUTOMATIC” SELF-COCKING HAMMER GAME GUN WITH MAKERS OAK AND LEATHER CASE.

SN 3508. (ca 1878) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 29″ Dovetailed fine Damascus bbls are engraved “James Woodward & Sons. 64, St James’s Street, London.” and “The Automatic” on concave game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs, and 1976 London re-proofs for 2-1/2″ chambers at .740. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs. Case hardened action with bar locks mounting round bodied serpentine hammers, is opened and hammers cocked by a forward pivoting under lever mounting over guard. Action and locks are engraved with approx 85% coverage small, shaded scroll. Bottoms of lockplates are engraved “J. Woodward & Sons”. Bottom of action is engraved “THE AUTOMATIC” “WOODWARD’S” “PATENT”. Breech face is marked with patent use number “27”. Nicely marbled and lightly figured circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 13-7/8″ over checkered horn buttplate. Stock features drop points, wraparound point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a silver oval on toe line engraved with “T” surmounted by a baronet’s crown. Matching splinter forend has early Anson type release. Bore diameter: left -.736, right -.736. Bore restrictions: left -.004 (IC), right -.004 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.024, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2-3/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 13 oz. LOP: 13-7/8″. Makers best oak and leather case with brass corners, is embossed “Andrew Motion.” on top. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth with paper Woodward label in lid. Case contains 2-pc greenheart and brass cleaning rod, mop, case straps, unmarked round pewter oil bottle, and three empty cartridge cases, two marked Holland & Holland, one Eley. Also some biographical information on Andrew Motion. PROVENANCE: Invoice from Christies concerning purchase of this gun. Richard Schreiber Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine brown finish, with good definition to pattern, most likely done at time of re-proof. Action retains traces of case hardening color where protected. Lockplates retain a considerable amount, possibly as much as 30 – 40% of their orig color. Trigger guard and operating lever have been re-blued, and retain most of that blue. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish with some minor subsequent marks, checkering re-cut and is fairly sharp. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks and action are crisp. Bores are fine, shiny with some frosting and a few scattered pits. Case leather is still relatively light in color with numerous marks and scuffs. Handle and straps are fair, with considerable lifting of top grain. Interior cloth is very good with some staining and minor rubs from contact with gun and bbls. Label is fine, slightly foxed and soiled, with one area rubbed through. Interior partitions are good. Accessories are good. A very fine handling best gun. 4-45978 (7,000-10,000) – Lot 2435

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2435	$11,500.00	JAMES WOODWARD “THE AUTOMATIC” SELF-COCKING HAMMER GAME GUN WITH MAKERS OAK AND LEATHER CASE. SN 3508. (ca 1878) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 29″ Dovetailed fine Damascus bbls are engraved “James Woodward & Sons. 64, St James’s Street, London.” and “The Automatic” on concave game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs, and 1976 London re-proofs for 2-1/2″ chambers at .740. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs. Case hardened action with bar locks mounting round bodied serpentine hammers, is opened and hammers cocked by a forward pivoting under lever mounting over guard. Action and locks are engraved with approx 85% coverage small, shaded scroll. Bottoms of lockplates are engraved “J. Woodward & Sons”. Bottom of action is engraved “THE AUTOMATIC” “WOODWARD’S” “PATENT”. Breech face is marked with patent use number “27”. Nicely marbled and lightly figured circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 13-7/8″ over checkered horn buttplate. Stock features drop points, wraparound point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a silver oval on toe line engraved with “T” surmounted by a baronet’s crown. Matching splinter forend has early Anson type release. Bore diameter: left -.736, right -.736. Bore restrictions: left -.004 (IC), right -.004 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.024, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2-3/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 13 oz. LOP: 13-7/8″. Makers best oak and leather case with brass corners, is embossed “Andrew Motion.” on top. Interior is lined in scarlet cloth with paper Woodward label in lid. Case contains 2-pc greenheart and brass cleaning rod, mop, case straps, unmarked round pewter oil bottle, and three empty cartridge cases, two marked Holland & Holland, one Eley. Also some biographical information on Andrew Motion. PROVENANCE: Invoice from Christies concerning purchase of this gun. Richard Schreiber Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine brown finish, with good definition to pattern, most likely done at time of re-proof. Action retains traces of case hardening color where protected. Lockplates retain a considerable amount, possibly as much as 30 – 40% of their orig color. Trigger guard and operating lever have been re-blued, and retain most of that blue. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish with some minor subsequent marks, checkering re-cut and is fairly sharp. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks and action are crisp. Bores are fine, shiny with some frosting and a few scattered pits. Case leather is still relatively light in color with numerous marks and scuffs. Handle and straps are fair, with considerable lifting of top grain. Interior cloth is very good with some staining and minor rubs from contact with gun and bbls. Label is fine, slightly foxed and soiled, with one area rubbed through. Interior partitions are good. Accessories are good. A very fine handling best gun. 4-45978 (7,000-10,000) – Lot 2435 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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JAMES WOODWARD “THE AUTOMATIC” SELF-COCKING HAMMER GAME GUN WITH MAKERS OAK AND LEATHER CASE.