A&W is a reference to 'Anson & Webley' ansd was used in teh trade to demote A&D boxlocks with intercepting safeties and with the Webley & Brain screw grip of 1882. These were made by Webley for the trade, including Army & Navy and William Evans. They can be very well finished and engraved.The sidelock generally used at the time was referred to as the 'A&R' for Anson & Rodgers'.
Dig:
I think you were perhaps speaking a little off the cuff.
A & W = A for the Anson & Deeley boxlock patent; and W for the Webley & Brain Screw-Grip Top Fastener patent. The top grades had intercepting sears, but the lower grades did not. They weren't standard on the A & W.
The sidelock was the W & R, not the A & R. It stood for Webley & Rogers.
