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

Hammer guy: I really have nothing against sleeved guns and I think there is a place for them. On reflection, and considering this Woodward is a non-ejector, it may be the perfect candidate for sleeving; however, that action Small Bore pictured is fabulous in terms of the engraving. So, I don't know in terms of this particular gun. Small Bore being an expert will undoubtedly make the right decision for the restoration of this fine gun. As far as myself goes, if I plunk down the money for a 'best' gun, I would prefer to have something with more of a chance at appreciating, hence my reluctance to go with sleeving. As Diggory points out though, it is hard for a lay person such as myself to make money in this game....but I love these fine guns and feel safer putting money in them than I do the stock market. At least I can shoot them, look at them and maybe even watch them appreciate in value.....and not dissipate like a fart in the wind like some of my stocks have done in the past!!

Buzz - spot on!

Buy what you like, shoot it enjoy it and actually have something beautiful and useful.

I look at some of these as fun projects. After all, what we have here is the heart of a beautiful gun. Making the action, engraving it, making the furniture, forend iron, locks and trigger plate, triggers etc represents a lot of time and effort.

I won't let this heart of the gun die. What it can become again thrills me. I love the idea that it can be the basis for something.

Best sleeving runs to about �3,000.
Best Barrels run to about �8,500.
A new stock runs to about �4,500, depending on wood.
A new forend wood runs to about �1,000.

Some customers take the view they'd like a new gun built on the old action.

They approach it as they would buying anew gun, but they have the action and locks, the heart of a vintage gun of class and character.

The last Purdey we did ended up costing the client �11,000 in total (he went the sleeved route). Now he has a bespoke gun. A bespoke self-opening, sidelock ejector of that quality for �11,000 looked like a good buy. He chose the stock length, shape, figure, dimensions that were perfect for him. He chose the chokes, barrel length, chambering. He shoots like demon with it.

He'll never sell it.

This Woodward could be the basis of a project like that. My business partner Kiri just might end up with a new game gun! It is fun considering the possibilities but the sheer beauty of the internal workmanship of things like this means I just have to get them back into the field. They deserve it!

Well said, Diggory. While I cannot afford what you are doing, I keep myself occupied with tired milsurp rifles that are destined for the wall or the parts bin. I buy what is needed for parts (bits?) and put lots of manhours into the guns. I buy dies, brass and bullets and enjoy shooting them. The MAS 1936 I found in a dumpster ended up shooting cast bullets quite well! Cheers!

That's what it's all about!

I shall watch this with great interest, Dig...

Is this a straight stock, or a PoW grip? How much would it take to change from one to the other?

And yes, 29" is proper (especially if the ribs can be re-used) for Woodwards (WW Greener said it was proper for 12g, too...)

What a marvellous project...
RG

Hi Dig, you are right, it's real difficult questions isn't it. Sleeve or barrels. I know that you can get really nice sleeve jobs and I'm sure you will ensure it's the best TIG type.

The gun looks stunning. The engraving on Woodwards always looks so bloody fine. Did they use in-house or farm out I wonder?

T

HammerGuy - As I said in my post, it's almost as if I, or WE in the vintage gun clan, are predisposed to not like or accept them. I suppose it has something to do with them not being original to the gun, will they affect the "feel" of the gun adversely, the unsightliness of a poorly done job.

All of which are valid reasons, to one degree or another.

I will say, though, that as I get older it's not so much a barrier as before. Case in point, recently I wanted to buy a beautiful Woodward (coincidentally) hammer gun that was sleeved but was too late, it got snagged before I could "sink to the depths" and buy a genuinely sleeved gun.

I also have to add that I've seen sleeve jobs where the joint lines are VERY visible, sometimes made more so purposely as a kind of stab at aesthetic adornment. Such guns are totally unacceptable and would never get a second look from me, much less my wallet.

This one is a straight hand stock. However, strangely, I have just taken in another Woodward, 180 serial numbers earlier, with a pistol grip stock and left handed side-lever! This one is not quite as crisp and has already been sleeved. It too needs afull do-up.

Hammer Guy; HA! That really is the crux of the matter after all is said and done, isn't it? Damascus! Don't even have to think about the sleeving issue.

I'm right there with you. I tend to ignore guns that aren't barreled with damascus steel.

I just took a "head count". The last 7 guns I purchased sport damascus (or twist or laminate) steel. And the hiccup that is #8 was a new gun.

I'm not going to count backwards from that one, my wife is in the other room!

I really do think this does have a future. While I am a purist like OWD and crave originality, an old gun does not deserve to hit the scrap pile just because the barrels are rubbish. It still has the Heart of a Lion, and a story to tell. Upon seeing the marvelous work of Heritage Guns at the Beinfeld Show in January, I realized there is a market and a place for these "born anew" guns. I would rather have a born again Hammer for 20k than pay 70k for a new Purdey example---any day