GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
PAIR OF EARLY WESTLEY RICHARDS DELUXE HAND DETACHABLE LOCK GAME GUNS WITH CASE. WESTLEY RICHARDS SXS DLX DROPLOCK 15817/ 15818 12 Ga ANTIQUE Cal. 12 GA 2-3/4" Chambers. 1899 Vintage. 30" Chopper lump bbls are fitted with deeply swamped, narrow, game ribs, and are engraved "WESTLEY RICHARDS 178 NEW BOND ST LONDON." and "WHITWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" on tops. Rib extensions are scroll engraved and gold inlaid with "1" or "2". These numbers also appear in gold on top levers and Deeley catches on forends. Bbl flats are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs and nitro re-proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and "WHITWORTH STEEL". Case hardened, scallop-backed actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, dbl triggers, and Westley Richards patented sliding third fasteners. Actions are also fitted with very early Deeley patent hand detachable locks. Locks are engine turned and engraved "Patent 17731" and "1897". They are marked for "left" and "right". Floorplates are of early removable type. Water tables are stamped with patent information and use numbers "18" and "19". Actions are embellished in "Deluxe" style with deep chiseled acanthus fences and near full coverage of exceptionally well cut open shaded scroll surrounding rather naive game scenes; gun no. "1" has a single running rabbit on left side, with a pair of rabbits on left side of gun no "2". Right side of gun "1" depicts a trio of pheasant (?) in mountainous background, gun no. "2" has a pair of standing partridges. Circular scenes on trigger plates each depict a single snipe. A pheasant is on trigger guard bow of gun "1", and a trio of grouse on gun "2". "WESTLEY RICHARDS" is on both sides of action on both guns. Well matched, nicely marbled European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15" over 1/2" thick checkered horn buttplates. Standard checkering is at grips. Matching splinter Deeley ejector forends have inset horn tips and Deeley releases. Gun no. "1": Bore diameter: left -.740, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.031 (full), right -.003 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.017, right -.022. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz. LOP: 15". Gun no. "2": Bore diameter: left -.734, right -.735. Bore restrictions: left -.031 (full), right -.002 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.023, right -.020. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz. LOP: 15". Makers oak and leather case, possibly original, is finished in typical Westley Richards style, has been re-lined in green cloth with Westley Richards paper labels reinstalled. Case has space for both guns, and contains two pairs of snap caps and a square oil bottle. CONDITION: Excellent, as completely refinished, retaining essentially all well done finishes on wood and metal, with a few light handling marks. Engraving slightly softened on blued parts. Bores are excellent with some light striations, and a few light pits. Left bbl of gun "1" is slightly rivilled 10" back from muzzle. Actions are tight. Gun no. "1" is somewhat off face. Gun "2" is on face. Ejectors are slightly out of time on gun "1", in time on gun "2". Case leather is considerably darkened with numerous scuffs and marks. Renewed interior cloth is excellent. Orig labels are considerably foxed, chipped, and soiled. 49416-4 MGM282 (15,000-20,000)