doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com J. Woodward "Automatic" patent use numbers

I have recently seen two Woodward "Automatic" hammerguns. One, a backaction rifle, is serial numbered in the low 3500's, and has a patent use number of 13. The other is a bar action 12 bore in the high 3500's. It's use number is 325. My question is; How many other guns or gunmakers have any of you seen using the Woodward patent? It seems that there should be at least 250 or so guns and rifles out there by others. Did Woodward continue a use number on the hammerless "automatics"? I haven't seen one in a while to check it out.
Thanks for any and all Info, Mal

I've never seen a hammered automatic.

A damascus barrelled hammerless automatic patent by another maker came up here for auction a year or two back; I'll check my catalogues and see who it was by.
The hammerless Woodward automatics I've seen (I'm fairly certain) had a patent use number. There's a mint, cased pair of them near here, and one used by one of my fellow Vintagers...

I think the hammerless automatic one of the sleekest, most beautiful, user friendly guns ever made. If I ever win the lotto, I'm asking Purdey to resurrect the name, the house shape and engraving style (arcaded fences; frog's eye indicators; "T" saftey... mmm) and the automatic patent!
RG

MMG - I'll check on Wednesday night.

Cadet , Purdeys started the "New" James Woodward several years ago. I think either Venters or Tate wrote the story in Shooting Sppporrtsman...I have made "Stock Ajustments to ,I belive it was the 1st 20 bore for the Owner. It was the Woodwardthat was on diplay at the Sandinona Gun and Fish Fry 2004 I think. It was pictured on the cover of SSM also. My Good Scottish Friend,Donald Dallas, has so much Research and related'Stuff" on Woodward he is still talking about a'Book" I would like to have a collection of Photos of the "Dirty Handed, Dirty Aproned, Craftsmen who built those 1st 8000 plus Guns & Rifles. I do have Some' ..cc/dt

I have a Woodward Automatic - double rifle!

I am not aware of the Automatic patent being used on hammer guns, though I would be happy to be corrected on that point.

My Automatic has the patent use number stamped on the face of the breech: #625.

Here's a write-up of my rifle, with lots of photos, for those who are interested.

James Woodward & Sons .450/.400 Magnum double rifle

Curl

CC/DT,
I am pleased to hear that Woodward has been resurrected. I didn't know that was the case.
If and when Mr Dallas writes a book, I'll gladly buy a copy. If he wants leads on Antipodean-held guns I could put him in touch with several owners.
There seems to be very little information on JW&S compared to the "holy trinity"; it's a shame - Woodwards are distinctive and fine guns in a way that few others I've seen are.
RG

"London Gunmaking History" from dt's photo collection

#3519 .500 BPE Jones Underlever backaction hammer rifle auctioned by Julia's last summer.

That's one cool rifle. Thanks for the education.

Curl

The rifle at Julias is patent use # 13. The sliding "switch" on the bottom of the action changes the throw of the cocking lever so when forward, the rifle goes to full cock. If the switch is pushed to the rear, the rifle only goes to half cock. Neat! The other hammer Automatic just went through Amoskeag. It has the same "switch". I don't know if the switch is part of the patent specification.
Capt Curl, thanks for the info on your beautiful rifle.