Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.
By Bill Harriman
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Q) I have just acquired a 12-bore side-by-side non-ejector in fair condition. The maker is W. J. Jeffery & Co Ltd, 9 Golden Square, Regent St, London W1. It is nitro proofed and the serial No. is 38319. Can you tell me anything about the maker? A. WARD Hampshire
A) William Jackman Jeffery may have started his career in the gun trade as a salesman for Cogswell & Harrison in the late 1880s. In addition, he also worked for P. Webley & Son, but he set up on his own account in 1887 at 60 Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London. In 1891 the business became known as W.J. Jeffery & Co.
Jeffery was interested in rifles and was granted several patents for shooting accessories, including a bore mirror, a telescopic sight and a sight protector. He also developed a number of proprietary rifle cartridges which bear his name. He is best remembered for the mighty .600 nitro express but also designed the .450 No. 2, the .404 Jeffery, the .433 rimless and flanged cartridges, the .333, .280 and .255 rook rifle.
The .333 cartridge proved effective in the early months of World War I by defeating the steel mantlet plates used in the trenches by German snipers.
W. J. Jeffery died in 1907 and the firm was taken over by his brother Charles, who died in 1920. His nephew, F. Jeffery Pierce, took over and in 1927 the firm moved to Golden Square, where it remained until 1955. It was bought in 1957 by Westley Richards and then by Holland & Holland in 1959.
Your shotgun, No. 38319, was built between 1935 and 1938.
In the Basque region of northern Spain, gunmakers are crafting and sel... Read more
The gun is Damascus-barrelled and has an under-lever. Inscribed on the... Read more
Rural organisations have united to encourage landowners to take more r... Read more
Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 16th May). FREE PRIZE DRAW: Win a Browning T-bolt.22 and Winchester ammo. Graham Downing gives his tips on where to find the best foreign sport! For all this and a whole lot more buy your copy today!
Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments