GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT, PATENT USE NUMBER 19, WESTLEY RICHARDS ANSON & DEELEY BOXLOCK GAME GUN WITH CASE. WESTLEY RICHARDS BOXLOCK GAME GUN 5112 12 GA (1876) Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. This cool gun, the 19th A & D boxlock ever made, has 30" skelp Damascus bbls fitted with concave game rib engraved "Westley Richards. 170. New Bond St. London." Bbl flats are unmarked. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, "C.M", and early Birmingham black powder proofs for 12 bore and 13 muzzles, along with "NOT FOR BALL". Front portion of lump dovetail is stamped "19". Very early styled A & D boxlock action features Westley Richards patent sliding bolt engaging dolls head bbl extension, automatic safety (SAFE gold inlaid), and extremely early square, pointed cocking lugs. Floorplate is also of early humped design. Water table is stamped "Anson & Deeley''s patent" and "19". Action is engraved with about 50% coverage very well cut shaded scroll. "Westley Richards" is on each side. Blued top lever is engraved "Westley Richards Patent". Blued floorplate and trigger guard are engraved with large open scroll. SN is at grip, partially obscured by trigger guard tang screw, as stock has been converted from straight to semi-pistol grip. Finely marbled and lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over well done checkered horn buttplate. Side panels and grip are flat top checkered and have mullered borders. A vacant heavy gold oval is set on end of grip. A vacant silver rectangle is on toe line. Matching splinter forend with inset horn tip has Deeley release marked "PATENT" with monogram "DE" on latch. Forend iron is stamped "19". Bore diameter: left -.737, right -.737. Bore restrictions: left -.018 (mod), right -.005 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.032. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-13/16". Weight: 6 lbs 15 oz. LOP: 14-1/2”. Possibly orig makers oak and leather case with sliding latches and push button release, is embossed "C.G. Francklyn" on top. Remnants of a Cunard line steamship label are at right. Interior is lined in green cloth, and has Westley Richards paper label in lid flanked by two other paper labels with instructions for using Anson & Deeley hammerless gun, and another with instructions for cleaning. Case contains 3-pc heavy brass and ebony cleaning rod with jag. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain a considerable amount, perhaps 30 - 40%, orig Damascus finish, considerably silvered from hand wear and some light overall freckling. Action retains 40 - 50% orig case hardening color, which has been lacquered for protection. Top lever, floorplate, and trigger guard have been nicely re-blued, and retain nearly all of that blue, engraving remains clear. Stocks retain most of an old oil finish with numerous marks and nicks, checkering re-cut. Buttplate is relatively new, fitted over remnants of orig spur. Bores are very fine, shiny, with some light frosting and a few scattered pits in right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Case leather is dark, scarred, rubbed, and chipped. Straps and handle are missing. Interior cloth is good, lightly soiled, and a bit dusty. Partitions are good. Makers label is considerably foxed, with a rub-through. Accessory labels show light foxing and considerable insect damage. A very shootable interesting Westley Richards. 49266-1 MGM55 (3,000-5,000)