GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE AND DESIRABLE .577 NITRO 750 GRAIN "BEST" QUALITY WESTLEY RICHARDS HAND DETACHABLE LOCK SINGLE TRIGGER EJECTOR DANGEROUS BIG GAME STOPPING DOUBLE RIFLE, WITH MAKER'S CASE.WESTLEY RICHARDSDBL RIFLE17443577W/CASE, 3 ACCESS, CL ROD, 1 KEYMODERN; C&R(ca 1912) Cal. .577 3" Nitro Express made for 100 grains cordite and 750 grain bullet. This superb rifle has 26" shoe lump bbls fitted with matted rib with usual dolls head extension, quarter rib holds one standing, two folding leaf express sight. Transition to mid portion of rib is nicely scroll engraved, as is area leading up to front sight ramp holding silver bead and flip-up night bead. Ramp is fitted with Westley Richards patented flip-over sight protector. Mid-rib is engraved "Westley Richards 23 Conduit St. London. Gun Makers By Appointment to His Majesty George V Rex et Imp." Tops of bbls at rear are engraved "577 H.V. Cartridge" "100/750 Grs". Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 100 grains of cordite and 750 grain bullet. Bottoms of bbls are stamped "H.L" and with SNs. A narrow sling loop is screwed to bottom rib. Massive case hardened action has hand detachable locks, use no. "2514", which are engine turned and gold inlaid for "L" and "R" under hinged floorplate. Action also features bolted non-automatic safety marked "SAFE" and "BOLTED" in gold, Westley Richards third fastener, along with Westley Richards very reliable patented single selective trigger. Top of action in front of top lever pivot is so engraved. Action is engraved with 80% coverage varying sized scroll which is very nicely cut. "WESTLEY RICHARDS" is in gold on each side. Scroll surrounds somewhat naive scene of elephant at water hole on floorplate. "577" in gold is on trigger guard bow. SN is on trigger guard tang which extends to scroll engraved steel grip cap with trap, containing spare front sight SNed to rifle. Darkly streaked and lightly fiddle figured European walnut pistol grip buttstock with checkered side panels, drop points, point pattern checkering at grip, as well as a small right hand cheekpiece with shadow line and bead, measures 14-1/2" over red Silver type pad. Toe line has rectangular gold crest plate engraved "LBB" and narrow sling loop matching that on bbls. Matching splinter forend with inset horn tip and Deeley release, is fitted with Deeley ejectors. Drop at heel: approx 2-7/8", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 14 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Makers oak and leather case with shaped brass corners, is lined in dark green cloth and has Westley Richards paper label in lid, with other cleaning and use instruction labels. Case contains WR marked round oil bottle, brass and ebony 2-pc cleaning rod, two ebony handled turnscrews, and a pair of WR snap caps, along with the key. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of an old best London re-black over some very light marks and scratches. Action retains approx 90% what appears to be orig case hardening color, thinning to pewter gray along bottom. Blue of top lever is silvered on thumbpiece. Floorplate retains nearly all of a re-blue, as does trigger guard. Stocks retain nearly all of a well done hand rubbed oil refinish with some subsequent light scratches and marks. Checkering is lightly worn especially on forend. Bores are excellent, bright, and shiny, strong rifling throughout, with some slight erosion and frosting at breech ends. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Mechanically fine. Case leather is darkening with numerous bumps, dents, and rubs. Interior cloth and lid have orig labels considerably foxed and wrinkled with some losses and chips. Bottom portion re-lined, and is very fine, lightly soiled. Accessories are excellent. This wonderful big bore is a brother to the rifle owned by Ernest Hemingway (SN 17425) which Julia's sold in 2011 for over $300,000.00. 53052-7 mgm138 (40,000-70,000)