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

Acquired a fascinating James Woodward & Sons 12b Hammergun recently. Engraving is crisp and Damascus barrels have a beautiful pattern but what is really interesting is the very rare bolting system.
I can't find any reference to the patent although the breech face is engraved 'Woodward Patent'.
Essentially it is a scissor action bolt, pivoted in the bar of the action and operated by an underlever with two projections which cam the 'scissor blades' apart to release the barrels. The 'blades' lock into slots cut into the single, long lump. There is a 'hold-open' spring lying between the 'blades' to make it possible to close the gun without having to cam the 'blades' apart.
The 1st photo shows the parts laid out. Note the pivot holes in the action flats. The 'blades' are the same way up as the barrels, opposite to the action.



2nd photo shows the 'blades' engaged with the barrel lump.



3rd photo shows the 'blades' fitted and in locked position.



Last photo shows 'blades' in open position with 'hold-open' spring visible between.

Wow! What a neat system. Bet it would be a tough one to tighten if worn! I want it!

Very cool. Compared to a Purdey bolt, how smoothly does it function?

I wonder if it's harder to fit because of the long bearing surfaces on either side of the lump?

What's it look like all together? Top-strap looks pretty beefy.

Thanks for sharing.

OWD

OWD, Very smooth in action: you wouldn't know that it wasn't a Purdey bolt without looking. In fact, because of the 'hold-open' it is easier to close as you aren't having to cam a bolt.
Yes, an 'interesting' job to rejoint and we will find out how 'interesting' quite soon!
Once together, it looks like any other underlever backaction Woodward of the period. Lots of original CH though which I didn't discover until all the ancient oil 'varnish' and c**p had been boiled off.

You come across some neat guns, thanks for sharing; i wish i lived closer to you then i could come and work for you.. i feel i would learn a lot!

D'444.Thank you but you wouldn't want to work with me: terrible people-person! Best shut up alone in my workshop! Guns can't talk back!
Seriously, any time you're near Cambridge, PM me and maybe you can visit.

Very neat, Toby. Great find.

Very interesting Toby. Early hammerless British shotguns have always been a passion of mine. An incredibly innovative time period. Thanks for sharing, that is a new one for me as well.

I have been searching for this one since last night, without success. Dating the gun at 1872 (or later), by the "& Sons" description and Brown's chronology putting it around 1874 the only patent that comes up is Woodward & Emme # 267 of 1872. From what I can see of it, does not tie in to this gun but maybe a variation for whatever reason ?.
Woodward was apparently at that time trying to find ways round the Purdey bolt system.

300846. The Woodward & Emme patent is just avoidance of the Purdey patent by using lugs on the front lump that engage with a very Purdey-like bolt! It is very similar to the Hodges patent no. 251 of 1871 that Grant used a lot in his hammerguns.
I am beginning to wonder if it is a unique action, built as an experiment and then turned into cash. I believe it happened quite a lot in those early days. However very few turn up as they usually didn't last!