WJ Jeffery?

[Bill Holcombe]

Alright Parker has a 2 inch chamber 12 gauge WJ Jeffery for sale for not a horrible price... but I know next to nothing at all about british guns other than if a miracle occured it might be nice to own a purdey and supposedly Mr. Jeffery did not actually make guns.

[John Campbell]

Sir:
Jeffery is an honored name in British gunmaking. Superb craftsmanship. The gun you refer to is an excellent buy. To start your education on Jeffery, you might start here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W.J._Jeffery_%26_Co

[Rich Anderson]

The 2 inch 12 is a wonderful cartridge. I have a Purdey light game gun and use RST 3/4 oz paper shells in it. It's kinda like a step back in time and it's the only 12 I hunt with.

[John Campbell]

The 2-inch 12 was an English concept intended to provide the lightness and speed of a small bore (such as a 20), in a package that could deliver the superior patterning of a 12 -- especially with a light 3/4 oz. charge. These guns were NOT intended for loads of 1 oz. or heavier.

[Bill Holcombe]

The 2 inch 12 is a wonderful cartridge. I have a Purdey light game gun and use RST 3/4 oz paper shells in it. It's kinda like a step back in time and it's the only 12 I hunt with.


Pics? I would dearly love to own a Purdey, but do not believe it is in the cards. Heck I am debating just the relatively low price of the Jeffery I am looking at.

[Ken Hill]

If the Jeffery is a boxlock, it was more likely made by Skimm'n and Wood. They made a lot of the 2" boxlocks for the trade. The 2" gun became popular in the late 20s and 30s. The British liked the idea of a lightweight 12 guns during this time (e.g. Churchill 25, Baker 12-20, 2" 12).

Ken

[Bill Holcombe]

This is a pic of the one I am looking at. It has a miller single select which I am not crazy about but oh well.

[Bill Holcombe]

here are the proof marks, which if my sparse reading is correct the gun was proofed in 1904 for Nitro powder 7/8 loads?


Woodcock Hill is also inscribed on the bottom of the rib.

actually looking again, I think the crossed swords over the O indicates 1930s proofing I think....

[John Campbell]

Looks Birmingham proofs to me. Around 1904. Can't discern the "crossed sword" stamp. Maybe the Woodcock Hill folks can help you:

http://woodcockhill.com

[Bill Holcombe]

John you are far more knowledgeable than I in this regard, but don't the nitro proof mark and other proof marks just indicate it was proofed between 1904 and 1954? If there is something else that indicates year I am missing please educate me. I also didn't think 2 inch 12s came along until the 20s and 30s? It is definitely Birmingham.

I can't make out the small letters on the crossed swords, the larger letter below is a G I now believe, but I think that is an inspectors mark.

[John Campbell]

What is this gun's serial number? If you're looking for a year of make up, that will help.

[Bill Holcombe]

Serial number is 37516

[John Campbell]

According to Nigel Brown's British Gunmakers, Vol. One, pg. 118, the gun was made up between 1935-39. Probably closer to 1935.

[Bill Holcombe]

Cool

[Ken Hill]

Bill,

To use the crossed swords as a date http://www.shotguns.se/html/uk.html there should be a letter code on top. The Woodcock Hill stamp means they imported the gun. Did you look on gunsinternational? There is another Jeffery 2" gun listed in the $3500 range with 2 triggers.

Ken

[Bill Holcombe]

Thats the one that has a finger groove stock extension?

[Ken Hill]

Thats the one that has a finger groove stock extension?

No. It has very minimal engraving.

Ken