James Woodward & Sons. A pair of 12g over and under guns.
In 1949 James Purdey & Sons purchased the gunmaker James Woodward & Sons. I am sure there were other reasons for the purchase, but the main reason was to get the Woodward over and under design in order they could adapt and use it for themselves. Unlike Boss & Co., Purdey had never been successful in developing an elegant, lightweight and strong over and under. They had built a strong over and under but it was heavy, and certainly not elegant. Vintage woodward over and unders do not seem to appear too often, I have no idea what sort of quantities they made them in but when you do get to see a vintage pair you can quickly understand why Purdey was in a hurry to buy the company. They are a superb looking gun and I believe it was, amongst other things, the stock shape that was responsible for making them look so nice. I say that as I always seem to remember the stock shape of a pair of 20g guns and a pair of 16g guns I saw many years ago in Las Vegas. This pair of guns sit here in storage, the stocks on the guns at the moment are replacement left hand stocks but we do have the original right hand stocks also. They are a super pair of guns and came from the same collection as the Boss I have featured on this blog before. I can honestly say that that person had a very good eye, and collected some superb guns, I wish he had many more!
Gregg on January 9, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Hello Mr Clode-
On your website, it shows that you builds stocks with a “Woodward grip” and with a “Prince of Wales grip”.
How do these grips differ?
And why do the OUs pictured appear to have grips which are a bit in between — part Prince of Wales, part Woodward?
And one more question: How much do you charge to build a new forend & buttstock for a 20g Woodward OU?
Thank you for your time and for your wonderful blog.
Sincerely,
Gregg
Bernardo Alves on December 10, 2015 at 7:51 am
Dear Simon,
Impressive pair!
I’m locking for a James Woodward single gun over and under 12g 2 3/4 , 1/4 and 3/4choke more or less, do you know any I can find?
Thanks
Simon Clode on December 11, 2015 at 12:03 pm
There was one in Holts auction yesterday but I don’t think it was that good. I think you just have to keep an eye out and we can also do this for you if you wish. They are not common but I am in USA for some shows in January and that is a place to find one perhaps.
Simon
Bernardo Alves on December 15, 2015 at 6:51 pm
Dear Simon,
Thanks for reply!! Is really hard to find one, I have been searching but is really not easy, I will keep looking, and if you arrange One in USA I would be more than grateful!
Looking to ear from you
Best Regards