GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
FINE CONDITION EARLY WESTLEY RICHARDS BOXLOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER.WESTLEY RICHARDSSXS DBL RIFLE6905500/450 No 1 BPE(1894) Cal. 500/ 450 No 1 BPE. 28" Damascus bbls are engraved "WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170. NEW BOND ST. LONDON." and "FOR WESTLEY RICHARDS NO 1 EXPRESS CARTRIDGE .450 BORE" on concave sunken rib either side of oval island base for one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight. Silver bead front is longitudinally dovetailed into matching base. Bbl flats are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs for .450 EX. Sling loop is installed in eye soldered to bottoms of bbl and rib. Small sized case hardened boxlock action features automatic bolted safety with "SAFE" and "BOLTED" in gold. Action features Westley Richards type sliding bolt engaging dolls head rib extension, bushed strikers, and dbl triggers. Top of action around top lever pivot is engraved "WESTLEY RICHARDS" "PATENT EJECTOR". "WESTLEY RICHARDS" is in gold on each side of action. Top lever, floorplate, and trigger guard are blued. SN is on trigger guard tang which extends to case hardened steel grip cap. Lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-7/8" over old Silver pad, and features small right hand shadow line cheekpiece, nicely shaped side panels, flat top point pattern checkering at grip, and sling loop as well as a vacant silver oval, on toe line. Matching small ejector forend with inlet horn tip, has Deeley release. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/4", drop at comb: approx 1-11/16". Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-7/8". PROVENANCE: Factory Authentication certificate with specifications. CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found. Bbls retain 85 - 90% what appears to be orig brown, thinning on sides and some areas cleaned to bright silver (blood spots ?) on side of left bbl. Action retains most of its orig case hardening color, strong where protected. Top lever, floorplate and trigger guard retain over 80% of their orig blue, with loss on top lever due to flaking, some scratches on floorplate, and silvering of sharp edges on trigger guard. Stocks retain most of their orig hand rubbed oil finish with numerous light marks and bumps. Pad is possibly orig, and is somewhat proud of wood. Metford bores are very fine, shiny, with some light pitting at breech ends, and a few scattered pits throughout left bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. This great handling slim rifle was probably built for deer stalking. 52325-8 MGM132 (9,500-12,500)