GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
SUPERB WESTLEY RICHARDS DANGEROUS GAME DOUBLE RIFLE WITH HAND DETACHABLE LOCKS AND CUSTOM ENGRAVING BY ROBERT SWARTLEY WITH CASE.WESTLEY RICHARDSSXS DBL RIFLE18701.475 NE #2MODERN; IVORYCal. .475 NE #2(Made ca 1949) 24" Shoe lump bbls are fitted with broad quarter rib transitioning to sunken mid rib, and front sight ramp, with Westley Richards flip-over patented sight protector. Quarter rib is fitted with one standing, four folding leaf express sight, with standing leaf unmarked, and folding leaves marked for 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards. Silver bead front sight has flip-up porcelain night bead. Mid rib is engraved "Westley Richards 23 Conduit St London. Gun Makers By Appointment To the Late King George V" which is flanked by large shaded scroll. Tops of bbls are engraved ".475 No 2 Nitro Express" and "85 Grs 500 Gr. Bullet". Rib has typical Westley Richards dolls head extension. A sling loop is screwed and soldered on bottom rib 6" back from muzzles. Bbl flats are stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs for .475 no. 2, 85 grains cordite, and 500 grain bullet. SNs are on bottoms of both bbls. Case hardened, Westley Richards patent hand detachable boxlock action with typical third fastener is fitted with unusual Greener type side safety, gold-plated sgl selective trigger, bushed strikers, and hinged lock cover. Locks are lightly gold-plated and engine turned. Ornamental sideplates have been fitted. Action is engraved with orig factory large open shaded scroll surrounding game scenes; buffalo on left, elephant on right, and rhinoceros on floorplate. "WESTLEY RICHARDS" is on each side. What are most likely newer ornamental sideplates are expertly fitted around orig Greener type side safety and engraved with exceptionally well cut semi-relief open shaded scroll, as counterpoint to wonderfully detailed game scenes by Robert Swartley, protegee of Josef Fugger. A lifelike sable antelope graces the left side, and a large maned lion is on right. Mr. Swartley also embellished the trigger guard bow with an exceptionally fine semi-relief rendition of a leopard crouched on a tree branch. SN is inlaid in silver at grip. Sable scene is signed "R. Swartley" at bottom rear. Newly made, finely marbled and figured European walnut steel trap capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over tan leather covered pad. Stock features classic shadow line right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip, and a large gold oval on toe line engraved with a "W". Matching splinter ejector forend has pivoting bolt release. Drop at heel: approx 1-3/4", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Weight: 11 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14". Strongly made oak and leather case with shaped brass corners and heavy brass lug fasteners is lined in olive green suede, and has gold embossed Westley Richards black leather label in lid. Case is semi-french fitted for rifle and accessories, which include walrus ivory handled 2-pc brass cleaning rod, with mop, brush, and jag, brass and walrus ivory striker case with spare strikers and screws, two "certifiable antique elephant ivory" handled turnscrews with gold-plated blades marked "Westley Richards", two Kynoch marked snap caps, brass cleaning funnel, ring type broken case extractor, and a key. Also, two red and yellow boxes of Kynoch .475 NE #2 cartridges. PROVENANCE: 1976 Invoice from Safari Outfitters. Factory letter with limited specifications. Other correspondence from Westley Richards and Safari Outfitters. Wm. West Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, near new, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain essentially all of a London quality re-black with some light subsequent marks. Action retains well over 90% orig case hardening color, silvered on sharp edges. Renewed blue of trigger guard is as new. Newer buttstock retains all of its fine finish with a few light marks. Forend with orig wood retains all of a matching refinish, checkering with light wear. Bores are excellent, bright, sharp, and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are a touch off face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. Case has some light marks and scuffs in its outer leather. Interior suede has some marks and compressions from contact with gun and bbls. Accessories are excellent, lightly tarnished. A great handling big bore double, well presented. 49479-4 MGM258 (35,000-75,000)