doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Woodward Restoration

A rather interesting and unusual piece arrived from Africa yesterday. It is a James Woodward sidelock non-ejector, made in 1887 with 29" barrels, a beautifully and unusually engraved action and a lot to sort out!

It has been re-stocked and had the forend wood replaced (not in England). The shapes and chequer are wrong for a Woodward.

The Whitworth steel barrels are black powder proof at .729 but now show .740 with no choke in either barrel. The barrels are rivveled and have he odd dent. Looks like someone has been shooting heavy loads and/or steel/buckshot/slugs through it.

I think I'm going to try and save the stock, as it is well inletted and long and has plenty of meat as well ass decent figure. The forend wood will have to be re-done as the shape is totally wrong. The barrels I hope will clean up but if not, I'll sleeve it to best quality. Not sure about length, probably the same as the ribs are excellent.

The action is lovely, side clips, arcaded fences etc. The locks internally are absolutely beautiful. These guns are a bit of a conundrum - to get right they need major surgery but the potential to build a bespoke project around an action of this quality is very tempting. Perhaps I'll re-stock and re-barrel it. A bit of head scratching time needed.

Nice when these old guns come in though. Always gets the creative juices flowing.

Small Bore: I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but you are probably SOL with rivelled barrels....they undoubtedly won't clean up and won't pass proof. With a high rent gun like a Woodward, I think you should have new barrels made rather than sleeving. I realize it costs more, but high end buyers are going to prefer the new barrels over sleeved. I know I would. In fact, I would certainly pass on the gun knowing it's sleeved. And you could have new barrels made cheaper than mere mortals like the rest of us! Just my humble opinion. Show us some pictures of the action...arcaded fences and unusual action. I would really like to see a photo!

Barrels sound like a job for Magic Mick

Did you get it for free?

How much can you expect to get for a refinished, sleeved, frog-eyed, non-ejector Woodward in 12g? Do people over there like Franken-guns like that?

And what's "best quality" sleeving?

Sounds like a house that's a "handyman's dream".


OWD

One of my barrel men fancies a go at it, we may sort them out.

Best sleeving will produce barrels which look and perform like new barrels (not to be confused with cheap sleeving).

New barrels are do-able but the cost will have to be passed on.

Like I said, a bit of head scratching. I put some photos up here:

http://linktosite.co.uk/news/guns-arriving

Nice when these old guns come in though. Always gets the creative juices flowing. [/quote]

Yes and renovations like those you mentioned gets the check book flowing too especially for novices like myself.

Good luck with everything. I know you will do the Woodward proud.

Looking forward to your new book.

Just took a look at the pictures. That engraving has stood the test of time. It looks incredible for the age.

hello,
im afraid im with buzz and owd "quality sleeved" is still sleeved.wide berth from me.i do like the woodward arcaded fences.
cheers
mrwmartin

If you do new barrels, would it have the original rib or the new barrel maker's name on a new rib ? I would assume having Woodward do new barrels would be much more costly.

Probably no name on the rib.

I usually have the barrel maker engraved under the tube where the forend covers it, in small lettering:

"New Barrels in 2012 by B. Blacker & Son (Formerly of Holland & Holland and James Purdey & Sons).

For example.

Where requested it may be possible to add the Woodward name to the rib for appearances sake but the identification of the barrel maker as independent serves to avoid any chance of a buyer being deceived.

The prejudice against sleeved barrels is understandable when looking at some old work but I very much doubt Mr Martin or Buzz would be able to tell a best sleeved job was sleeved without looking at the proof marks. The job is totally unlike it used to be when done to the highest standards (with corresponding costs). It is still cheaper than new barrels.

The bottom line it that the gun will be affordable to some and equal in looks and performance with best sleeving. With new barrels it would be out of reach of many of those people. With some of these older sidelocks, sometimes it is the best way to go.

New barrels retail right now are �8,500.

hello again,
fair points dig,however i would not be interested in any sleeved gun,even gifted.the thought of the sleeve line/join makes me unwell.i realise other people have entirely different views but not for me.
cheers