October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting

All > Firearms > Shotguns-Modern

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018

(1953) Although best known for their hand detachable lock, boxlock "best" guns, Westley Richards also made a few sidelock guns, almost always of best quality. This finely finished gun has 30" chopper lump barrels fitted with raised, matted, flat pigeon rib. "Westley Richards & Co" "London" is engraved on tops. There are 2-1/4" triangles of open scroll engraving at breech ends. "1" is inlaid in gold on breech end of rib, and also on top lever and forend tip, denoting that this is number "1" of a pair. Barrel flats are stamped with 1953 Birmingham nitro proofs for 2 - 3/4" chambers. Serial numbers are stamped on bottoms of barrels. Case hardened Holland & Holland type sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, double triggers, and H&H type hand detachable locks with take down pin on left lockplate. Action and locks are engraved with near full coverage well cut varying sized shaded scroll. This attractive scroll surrounds game scenes, major subjects of which are flush inlaid in gold. A pair of ducks rise from a pond or lake with sun either rising or setting in background on left plate. Right plate depicts a pair of pheasant feeding and walking in tall grass. "WESTLEY RICHARDS" is in scrolled riband on each lockplate. Bottom of action has rendition of a gold pointer in open field with mountains in background. Trigger guard has scroll on bow and serial number on tang. Attractive, dark streaked, and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/8" over russet leather covered pad. Nicely shaped drop points are behind locks. Classic point pattern checkering is at grip. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Gun is housed in its most likely original oak and leather case with brass corners. Top is embossed "I. J. Karouni" at center, and "No. 1" at the bottom left. An H&H inventory end label with information for this gun is on right side. Interior is lined in dark green cloth and has Westley Richards label in lid. Case is nicely fitted for gun and some accessories, including cleaning equipment and horn handled turnscrew, as well as Westley Richards marked snap caps and square oil bottle. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels retain nearly all of what appears to be original blue, but is possibly an older London quality re-blue, as engraving is somewhat softened. Action retains 90% case hardening color, silvered on fences and beads, fading and browning around bottom. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color. Trigger guard retains most of its blue, silvered on tang. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish, with some very light subsequent marks. Checkering is very lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are slightly out of time. Case leather remains light in color, but has many scuffs and rubs, especially on edges. Straps and handle show wear and are a bit tender. Interior cloth is very fine with some rubs and compressions. Label is fine, lightly foxed with rub from contact with action. Accessories are fine. An attractive, well made, London quality heavy game gun, the gold inlay is unusual on British guns of this vintage. MGM63

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $7,500.00 Final prices include buyers premium: Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000 Number Bids: 3	Auction closed on Friday, November 2, 2018.

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