I used to work at one of the finest gunshops in the world – New England Arms of Kittery Point, ME. While I was there, I came across a lot of nice doubles – Purdeys, Holland & Hollands, Fabbris, Flli Rizzinis, etc.
Of all them, two stuck in my head as being far above all the others. One was a 16g Boss O/U we sold to a client in Austin, TX. It was the Boss over-under I ever handled and one of the most beautiful shotgun I had ever encountered. That gun is one reason I’ve been obsessed with Boss shotguns ever since.
The other shotgun I remember from back then is this 16g Woodward O/U. This double came to auction in May of 1999, and I bid on it on behalf of the shop. We didn’t get it, and I’ve thought a lot about it ever since. I still have the original auction catalog, and I’ve kept an eye out for shotgun, sure that it would pop up on the market again sooner or later. Fifteen years later, here it is.
James Woodward & Sons patented their over-under in 1913 – four years after Boss & Co invented the low-profile O/U. Woodward made around three hundred over-unders in all and just a handful were 16s.
JAMES WOODWARD & SONS Best Quality SLE O/U O/U 16 GA
Serial # 6680
Barrel Length 28″
Choke M
Choke 2 IM
Trigger DT (Double)
Stock Straight Grip
Foream
Rib Solid rib
Receiver Finish Casehardened Receiver
Engraving Type Fine Scroll & Rosette Engraving
Other Options original maker’s leather case with accessories, Leather covered pad, Lots of provenance
Condition EXC. Plus Condition
Weight Description 6#7oz
Description 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 14 3/4 with 1/8 cast off
Other Details Mfg 1923, A super rare, super nice gun
Price: $85,000
